The Daura Emirate is a religious and traditional state in Northern Nigeria, the Emir of Daura still rules as a ceremonial hereditary monarch, and maintains a palace.[1]
Muhammad Bashar became the emir in 1966, reigning for 41 years until his death in 2007, On 28 February 2007, Umar Faruk Umar became Emir of Daura succeeding Muhammad Bashar.
History
Origins
Daura Emirates
The Girgam mentions that the Daura Emirate was established in 2000 BC and it all began from Canaan with a man called Najibu who migrated with a group of people to Ancient Egypt. They settled in Ancient Egypt for a while and had very close relations with the Copts. They moved on to Tripoli and their leader who was then Abdudar sought to rule over the people but was unsuccessful, so he moved on with his people to a place called Tsohon Birni today in Northern Nigeria and it was this event that paved the way for the establishment of the Daura Emirate and city. Daura is the city that Bayajidda, a figure from Hausa mythology, arrived at after his trek across the Sahara.[2]
Once there, he killed a snake (named Sarki) who prevented the people from drawing water from the well known as Kusugu, and the local queen Daurama Shawata, married him out of gratitude; one of their seven children was named Daura.[2] The Kusugu well in Daura where Bayajidda is said to have slain Sarki is protected by a wooden shelter[3] and has become a tourist attraction.[4]
The emirate is referred to as one of the "seven true Hausa states" (Hausa Bakwai)[5]
because it was, (along with Biram, Kano, Katsina, Zazzau, Gobir, and Rano), ruled by the descendants of Bayajidda's sons with Daurama and Magira (his first wife).[2]
The University of California's African American Studies Department refers to Daura, as well as Katsina, as having been "ancient seats of Islamic culture and learning."[6]
Modern history
In 1805, during the Fulani War, Daura was taken over by Fulani warrior Malam Ishaku, who set up an emirate. The Hausa set up rival states nearby, and the ruler of one, Malam Musa, was made the new emir of Daura by the British in 1904.[5] Once part of Kaduna State,[5] Daura became part of the new Katsina State in 1987.[7]Faruk Umar Faruk became the 60th Emir of Daura on 28 Feb 2007 following the death of Sarkin Muhammadu Bashar dan Umaru.[8]
^"Katsina State". Nigeria Direct. Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. Archived from the original on 13 December 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2007.
