Royal-Title in Kano Emirate is a traditional system in which different royal titles were classified according to their holders. Each royal title in Kano has its own meaning and those designed to be the holders of the title.
Royal Titles in Kano Kingdom or Emirate are many and carried different meaning and duties. Currently, some of the titles have office, while some are conferred on the District Heads administering the outskirt District of the Emirate.
Historical Background
Since its foundationa in 999 AD as a Kingdom before it became an Emirate in 1807, Kano as the most influential Hausa Kingdoms have royal title institution. Since the time of the first King of Kano Bagauda up to the foundation of Kano as an Emirate in 1807, different royal titles were created and conferred on different personalities. Some of the first or earliest titles in Kano have a prefix of “Dan”. These earliest titles were like Dan Akasan, Dan RuwataDan Buran, Dan Darman, Dan Amar, Barde, Sarkin Yaki and others. Most of these titles were conferred on the sons of the reigning King or his important warriors.
Later, with the foundation of Kano Emirate, the royal titles were clearly defined and classified especially during the reign of Sarkin Kano Ibrahim Dabo (1819-1846). During the reign of Sarkin Kano Dabo, the Emir (Sarki) clearly became the supreme as well the administrative leader of the whole Emirate. While there are different royal title holders who helped him in carrying out his duties.
Royal-Titles in Kano Emirate Classification
Since the reign of Sarkin Kano Ibrahim Dabo, Kano Emirate divided royal titles into four :
- Royal Family Titles
- Inherited or King Makers Titles
- Learned Men Titles
- Warriors or Honorary Titles
ROYAL FAMILY TITLES
These titles were only spared and conferred on persons who are from the Kano royal family and can ascend the throne. Some of these titles are identified or have “Dan” prefix on them. They are as follows :
- Galadima (the most influential and senior member of the royal family)
- Wambai (second most senior)
- Ciroma (the eldest son of the reigning Emir)
- Dan Iya
- Turaki
- Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida
- Barde
- Tafida
- Dan Buram
- Dan Darman
- Dan İsa
- Dan Lawan
- Dan Maje
- Dan Ruwata
- Dan Makwayo
INHERITED (KING MAKERS) TITLES
These titles are spared and conferred mostly on sons or descendents of the Jihad leaders that established Kano Emirate who came from the four influential Fulani clan then. Those holding the titles chose the Emir when the throne is vacant. They are as follows :
- Madaki (Leader of the King Makers) from the Yolawa Fulani Clan
- Makama from the Jobawa Fulani Clan
- Sarkin Dawaki Mai Tuta from the Sullubawa Fulani Clan
- Sarkin Bai from the Dambazawa Fulani Clan
LEARNED MEN TITLES
These titles are created and conferred on people who are learned or came from the learned families. They are as follows :
- Waziri
- Wali
- Magajin Malam
- Alkali
- Limamin Kano
WARRIORS TITLES
These are the titles conferred on the warriors who were important to the Emirate during war period. However, with the beginning of the colonial period when there was no war up to date, most the following titles are given to the important personalities who contributed something useful to the Kano Emirate :
- Barde
- Sarkin Yaki
- Barde Kerarriya
- Baura
- Makaman Gado Da Masu
- Jarmai or Jarma
LIST OF KANO EMIRATE DISTRICT HEADS WITH TITLES AS OF 2019
- Madakin Kano District Head of Dawakin Tofa
- Makaman Kano District Head of Wudil
- Sarkin Dawaki Maituta District Head of Gabasawa
- Sarkin Bai District Head of Dambatta
- Wamban Kano District Head of Kano Municipal
- Ciroman Kano District Head of Nassarawa
- Dan Iyan Kano District Head of Dawakin Kudu
- Turakin Kano District Head of Dala
- Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida District Head of Kumbotso
- Barden Kano District Head of Bichi
- Tafidan Kano District Head of Fagge
- Barde Kerarriya District Head of Gwarzo
- Dan Majen Kano District Head of Gwale
- Dan Isan Kano District Head of Warawa
- Dan Lawan Kano District Head of Takai
- Dan Darman Kano District Head of Kura
- Dan Ruwatan Kano District Head of Sumaila
- Dan Madamin Kano District Head of Kiru
- Dan Makwayon Kano District Head of Tsayawa
- San-Turakin Kano District Head of Kunci
- Sarkin Fadar Kano District Head of Tarauni
- Sarkin Shanun Kano District Head of Rimin Gado
- Matawallen Kano District Head of Minjibir
- Dan Amar District Head of Doguwa
- Magajin Rafin Kano District Head of Bagwai
- Dan Kadan Kano District Head of Tudun Wada
- Magajin Malam District of Ungogo
- Mai Unguwar Mundubawa District Head of Gezawa
- Sarkin Yakın Kano District Head of Ajingi
- Dokajin Kano District Head of Garko
- Barayan Kano District Head of Bunkure
- Kaigaman Kano District Head of Kibiya
- Uban Doman Kano District Head of Shanono
- Bauran Kano District Head of Rogo
- Dan Adalan Kano District Head of Tofa
- Ma’ajin Watarin Kano District Head of Kano
- Majidadin Kano District Head of Madobi
- Sa’in Kano District Head of Makoda
- Dan-Galadiman Kano District Head of Bebeji
- Sarkin Fulanin Ja’idanawa District Head of Garun Malam
- Katukan Kano District Head of Albasu
- Sarkin Rano District Head of Rano
- Sarkin Gaya District Head of Gaya
- Sarkin Karaye District Head of Karaye