The Hausa States, also known as the Hausa Country, were independent political entities founded by the Hausa people and located between the Niger River and Lake Chad. It was a political entity without central authority, isolated until the mid-14th century. Regardless of their placement, they had a common language, laws and customs. The Hausas specialized in forging, fishing, hunting, agriculture and salt extraction. By the 1500s, the northern city of Kano had become the most powerful and was a major mall for ivory, gold, slave trade, salt, cloth, leather and cereals. Because of their lack of military expertise and a central governing body, they were considered cowardly alliances by neighboring cities, making them subject to external domination. All states remained independent until they were conquered by eminent Islamic scholar, Usman dan Fodio, during a Holy Jihad (war) between 1804 and 1815, who created the Sokoto Caliphate. It was later abolished when the British defeated the caliphate in 1903 and named the Northern Region of Nigeria.
Popular myths told about the origin of the Hausa people:
Bayajidda, the mythical ancestor of the Hausa people, allegedly emigrated from Baghdad in the 9th or 10th century to the Kanem-Bornu empire, where he married a princess. Due to irreconcilable differences with his stepfather, Bayajidda was forced to flee his home, leaving behind his wife and their first child. One day, after a very long and exhausting journey, he arrived in a city called Daura where he asked for water from an old woman. The woman explained to her that she had no water and couldn't supply the community well because of a snake terrorizing the villagers - it is said that the snake only allowed the villagers to go fetch water once a week. Bayajidda became furious and rushed to the well, engaging in a battle with the snake and the tua. As a reward, he received in marriage the queen of Daura who gave him a son named Bawo. After testing the city of Biram. He had six sons who became the leaders of other Hausa cities-states. These are known as haoussa bakwai states (seven haoussa).
The Hausa people have unique cultural practices that have stood the test of time, regardless of British colonization. Their political and spiritual leaders did not compromise the standards they knew well; that is why they still maintain their way of life today.
A large portion of the Hausa population consists of Muslims practicing Islam, based on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and the instructions of the Holy Book Qur'an. It is said that the religion was brought to them by traders from North Africa, Mali, Borneo and Guinea during their trade exchanges, and they quickly adapted the religion. Muslims pray five times a day, fast during the month of Ramadan and strive to make a pilgrimage to the holy land in Mecca. However, there is a class of Hausas called Maguzaya: they do not practice Islam but belong to a cult that worships natural spirits called bori or iskoki. #Africa #Hausa #Nigeria
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