| Capital: |
Kano |
| Area: |
42,592.8
sq kilometres |
| Population: |
6,869,582
(1997 FOS est.) |
| Language: |
Hausa |
History
Kano first became known to the outside world
after the visit of Leo Africanus in A.D. 1513.
Tradition has it that the earliest settlers
found in the area were the Abagayawa whose
ancestor called Kano was said to have migrated
from Gaya in the vicinity of Kano town in search
of iron-stone and charcoal. The small
settlemennt evolved some sort of patrilineal
organisational struccture at the apex of which
was a man called Barbushe - a hunter, a priest,
an able leader and a man of ennormous stature.
Tradition credits him with so much prowess and
strength he was, according to oral tradition,
able to kill an elephant with a stick and carry
it on his back. Barbushe was the high priest of
the supreme deity, Tsumburbura, around whose
worship this small and peaceful community was
built. The shrine of this deity was sited at a
tree on the Dala Hill.
The apparent
tranquility pervading the fabrics of the
Abagayawa society neighbouring communities.
Consequently, these communities began to migrate
and settle among the Abagayawa. Amongst them (it
is strongly believed) was the belligerent group
led by Bagauda. This group quickly established
its ascendancy over the original inhabitants and
the latter's capitulation sealed their fate. The
dynasty established by Kano thus came to an end
and the reignns of power changed hands. This
cataclysmic development also ushered in a new
era, that of the Habe dynasty.
Local
Government Areas
Ajingi, Albasu,
Bagwai, Bebeji, Bichi, Bunkure, Dala, Dambatta,
Dawakin Kudu, Dawakin Tofa, Doguwa, Fagge,
Gabasawa, Garko, Garum Mallam, Gaya,
Gezawa,Gwale, Gwarzo, Kabo, Kano Municipal,
Karaye, Kibiya, Kiru, kumbotso, Kunchi, Kura,
Madobi, Makoda, Minjibir, Nasarawa, Rano, Rimin
Gado, Rogo, Shanono, Sumaila, Takali, Tarauni,
Tofa, Tsanyawa, Tudun Wada, Ungogo, Warawa,
Wudil.
