HistoNaijaOpen the map

Raids · c. 1600–1700

Kwararafa invades Kano

Three hundred years after Sarki Yaji of Kano had made Kwararafa pay tribute in slaves, the Benue confederacy turned on Kano.

See it on the old map

Overview

Three hundred years after Sarki Yaji of Kano had made Kwararafa pay tribute in slaves, the Benue confederacy turned on Kano. The Kano Chronicle records three invasions. Under Muhammad Zaki (1582–1618) the people of Kano fled to Daura while the invaders “ate up the whole country”. In the 1650s Sarkin Kwararafa Adashu battered down the Kofan Kawayi gate. Under Dadi (1670–1703) they broke in by the Kofan Gadon Kaya, fought as far as the Kurmi market, and the Sarki fled to Daura.[3],[5],[4],[1],[2]High confidence

The Chronicle gives reigns, not years. The years 1653 and 1671 come from later writers.

Who took part

What happened

  1. Reign of Muhammad Zaki (1582–1618) · Daura

    Kano empties to Daura

    The Sarkin Kwararafa attacks. The people of Kano leave the city for Daura, the invaders strip the countryside, and Kano is left weak while Katsina harries it.[3],[2]High confidence

  2. 1650s (reign of Muhammad Kukuna) · Kano (the gate itself is not placed)

    Adashu breaks the Kofan Kawayi

    Sarkin Kwararafa Adashu attacks. Muhammad Kukuna withdraws to Auyo for 40 days, and comes back to find the Kofan Kawayi gate battered down. He rebuilds it. Other writers date this attack to 1653.[5],[1],[2]High confidence

  3. Reign of Dadi (1670–1703), often dated 1671 · Kano (Kofan Gadon Kaya to the Kurmi market)

    Kwararafa inside Kano

    Kwararafa enters by the Kofan Gadon Kaya, kills many, and reaches the Kurmi market near the palace. Dadi’s warriors and 99 malams around him are cut down, and the Sarki flees to Daura.[4],[1],[2]High confidence

  4. After the invasions (date unknown) · Bebeji

    Igala and Jukun settle at Bebeji

    The owner says Igala and Jukun from the Kwararafa forces stayed and settled in Kano quarters such as Bebeji, 45 km south-west of the city. Later some of these Igala went home and founded the Angwa quarter of Idah (see “The Kano Igala come home”). No written source for the settlement has been found yet, and the Kano Chronicle names a Fulani chief of Bebeji, Abdua, among Dadi’s war chiefs.[6]Disputed

Kingdoms involved

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).

  1. Wikipedia contributors. Kwararafa
  2. Palmer, H. R. (translator). (1908). The Kano Chronicle. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 38: 58–98 (cited elsewhere, not yet checked directly)
  3. Wikipedia contributors. Muhammad Zaki (quotes Palmer’s Kano Chronicle)
  4. Wikipedia contributors. Dadi (sultan) (quotes Palmer’s Kano Chronicle)
  5. Wikipedia contributors. Muhammad Kukuna (quotes Palmer’s Kano Chronicle)
  6. HistoNaija owner. (2026). Local knowledge from the HistoNaija owner: Kwararafa forces invaded Kano, and some of their peoples, such as the Igala and Jukun, settled in Kano quarters like Bebeji