War · c. 1756–1777
The fall of Birnin Zamfara
Fifteen years into his reign, Babari of Gobir turned on his Zamfara allies, though his sister Fara was married to their king, Mairoki.
Overview
Fifteen years into his reign, Babari of Gobir turned on his Zamfara allies, though his sister Fara was married to their king, Mairoki. Zamfara held its own until its captains, stung by Mairoki's taunts (“You have not caught the tail of the monkey”), gave up the capital and led the Gobirawa to him, crying “See, here is the monkey, down to his tail!” Barth dated the fall to about 1756; others say 1762. Babari built Alkalawa on land Zamfara had once given Gobir. Mairoki held out in the hill fortress of Kiawa, where Bawa Jan Gwarzo of Gobir besieged him for fifteen years; one account says Bawa hung his head from a fig tree, still called durumin Mairoki.[2],[1]Medium confidence
Who took part
What happened
- c. 1756–1762 · Birnin Zamfara (near Isa)
Birnin Zamfara given up
The army abandons its king to Gobir.[2],[1]Medium confidence
- after 1762 · Alkalawa
Alkalawa built
Babari's new walled capital on the Rima.[1]High confidence
- c. 1777–1792 · Kiawa
Fifteen years at Kiawa
Bawa Jan Gwarzo besieges Mairoki until he takes him.[2]Medium confidence
Kingdoms involved
Sources
Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).