By Obiabin Onukwugha
The ancient city of Katsina is located in the North-West of Nigeria; it is bordered in the east by Kano and Jigawa States, west by Zamfara State, south by Kaduna State, and north by the Niger Republic.
Known as “the home of hospitality”, Katsina was carved out of the old Kaduna State in September 1989.
The state comprises of two emirates that characterized the later establishment of the seven Hausa kingdoms viz; Daura, Katsina, Zaria, Kano, Rano Gobir, and Biram.
Traveling to Katsina will not only expose you to the historical facts of the seven descendants of Bayajida and Daurama, but the unique architectural and historical designs of the northern people
GOBARAU MINARET
The Famous Gobarau Minaret also known as “Hasumiyya” was constructed over 600 years ago during the reign of Muhammadu Korau (1398-1408 AD), who was the first Muslim king of Katsina. It is the first tallest building built in the ancient city of Katsina, to serve as a surveillance tower for sighting enemy invaders as they approached the city during communal war inherent in that era. The Gobarau Minaret which according to historians at the Katsina state history and culture bureau initially stood at 122m i.e. 400ft before the main body of the tower collapsed and reduced to stand at the present height of 17.11m with a base of approximately 83.36sqm. The building was designed and built to reflect the Timbuktu type of architecture portraying the civilization and craftsmanship of the 14th-century inhabitants.
THE LEGENDARY KUSUGU WELL
The ancient well of Kusugu got its fame from the old tale told by the Historians of the Great Daura Kingdom, of the then Prince of Baghdad; Bayajidda in the 10th century. History has it that The Kusugu well is the dwelling place of a giant snake called Sarki, and this snake only allows the people of Daura kingdom draw water only on Fridays. History was told of the Prince Bayajidda as the person who married the last Kabara of Daura after his defeat of the snake and presaged the end of the matriarchal monarchs that had earlier ruled the Hausa people. It was also recorded that the 7 Hausa states were founded by the sons of Bayajidda from his marriage to the then Queen of Daura. The well from time past has become a tourist site in the Daura Kingdom and the sword that was used to kill the formidable snake, according to the curator is in custody of the Emir of Daura His Highness. Both the well and the sword can still be seen by tourists today.
JIBIA HOLIDAY RESORT
The Jibia Holiday Resort also known as the New Chama Recreational Park is located in Jibia city of Katsina a border city in Birnin Kudu town. It is a scenic site to view ancient rocks and prehistoric paintings on caves. The resort or recreational park is a serene garden with various games courts such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, Ping-Pong, and a scenic view of a soothing dam with white sand. It is a park to unwind from the hustle and bustle of towns.
EMIR’S PALACES IN KATSINA AND DAURA KINGDOM
The Palaces of the Emir of Katsina and the Emir of Daura are sights to behold and a site to explore. The ancient architectural designs of the Palace structures date back to the early 19th century. The Katsina Emir’s Palace has various historical sites, artifacts, and memoirs attached to the palace such as; Dakin Kwaf, Blue Room, The ancient Gate of “Gubairuba” a clan in Sokoto kingdom, the first bank in Katsina, among other sites.
The Daura Kingdom is known according to history to be the spiritual home of the Hausa people as it documents the legendary Prince of Baghdad “Bayajidda” who became the first male king after killing the giant snake Sarki in the 10th century and then married the last Kabara of Daura. It was also recorded that from this union he had seven sons who founded and ruled the seven 7 Hausa states (a.k.a the seven true Hausa states “Hausa Bakwai”).
These Palaces are a world-class tourist attraction to many visitors and historic memories for other tourists as they marvel at the various monuments hidden behind the buildings.