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1748 - Week 9 Lesson Note

The document discusses major centralized states in pre-colonial Nigeria, highlighting examples such as the Hausa States, Kanem Borno, and the Nupe Kingdom. It details the political structures and leadership roles within these states, including the caliphates of the Hausa, the monarchy of Kanem Borno, and the governance of the Nupe Kingdom. Each state had a distinct administrative system with significant powers held by leaders like Emirs and the Mai.

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48 views4 pages

1748 - Week 9 Lesson Note

The document discusses major centralized states in pre-colonial Nigeria, highlighting examples such as the Hausa States, Kanem Borno, and the Nupe Kingdom. It details the political structures and leadership roles within these states, including the caliphates of the Hausa, the monarchy of Kanem Borno, and the governance of the Nupe Kingdom. Each state had a distinct administrative system with significant powers held by leaders like Emirs and the Mai.

Uploaded by

krqq8txytp
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SUBJECT: HISTORY

CLASS: JSS1

TOPIC: MAJOR CENTRALIZED STATES IN PRE-COLONIAL NIGERIA

EXAMPLES OF CENTRALIZED STATES IN PRE-COLONIAL NIGERIA

Pre-colonial Nigeria refers to the period before the rule of the white men i.e. before
colonialism.

Examples of pre-colonial
centralized states were:

1. Hausa States
2. Kanem Borno
3. Nupe Kingdom
4. Oyo Empire
5. Igala Kingdom
6. Benin Empire
7. Niger Delta City States
8. Calabar

THE HAUSA STATES

There was a Jihad war led by Usman Dan Fodio from 1804 to 1810. After the war,
fourteen Hausa states were merged and then split into two sections; Eastern and
Western (the sections were called Caliphates). The Eastern Caliphate had Sokoto as its
capital and it included states like present day Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Yola and Zaria
while the Western Caliphate had Gwandu as its capital and included states like
Argungun, Ilorin and Kontagora.

Usman Dan Fodio made himself the head of the whole Hausa land. He was referred to as
the Sarkin Muslim. His son; Bello was made the ruler of the Eastern Caliphate while
Usman's brother; Abdullah was made the ruler of the Western Caliphate. They were
both referred to as Emirs.

The two caliphates were also sub-divided into smaller segments called emirates. This
was done so that their administration would be easy. Each emirate was headed by emirs
(lesser emirs) who were chose only with the approval of the Emirs (of Sokoto or
Gwandu). The Emirs in each emirate had assistance from some officials. The officials
were:

1. Waziri: the prime minister or administrative officer


2. Madawki: the commander of the army
3. Dogari: the head of the police
4. Galadima: in charge of the capitals
5. Maaji: the keeper of money and the treasury (treasurer)
6. Sarkin Ruwa: the river-fishing official
7. Sarkin Pawa: the head of the butchers
8. Sarkin Fada: the person in charge of the administration of the palace.

Each emirate was also divided into districts. An official called the Hakimi headed each
district. The emir also appointed him. The duties of the Hakimi included:

1. Overseeing the affairs of the district.


2. Maintaining peace and order in the district.
3. Collection of taxes. The taxes include Zakat, Jizyah (law tax) and Jangali (cattle
tax).

The Hakimi appointed village heads who helped him in carrying out his duties. The
Emirs of the Caliphates had almost unlimited powers and the judiciary system was
based on the Sharia law. Alkali judges administered the laws.

Sarkin Muslim

Emir (Eastern Caliphate) Emir (Western Caliphate)

(Sokoto) (Gwandu)

Waziri Madawki, Dogari,


Emirs (lesser Emirs) Galadima, Maaji, Sarkin Ruwa, Emirs (lesser Emirs)
Sarkin Pawa, Sarkin Fada
(Emirates) (Emirates)

Hakimi (Districts) Hakimi (Districts)

Village Heads (villages) Village Heads (villages)

Pre-colonial political administration of Hausa states


KANEM BORNO EMPIRE

Kanem Borno empire was founded by a prince called Kisra and his followen who were
migrants from Eastern Africa to the east of Lake of Chad. The empire existed in a region
which today includes the modern-day countries of Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria.

The empire consisted of different people. Some of them are:

1. The So-these were the original inhabitants of the empire.


2. The Zaghawa - they were nomadic people who emigrated from eastern Africa
and settled to the east of the Lake.
3. The Kanuri-they were also important group of people in the empire.
4. The Bulala-they arrived late at the region but they were also part of the kingdom.

The Zaghawa were the first rulers of the empire before they were driven out and the
Saifawa rulers took over. The Saifawas enlarged their territories by conquest and
marriage into the ruling families of subordinate states. Later, between the 12th and
14th centuries, the Saifawas were forced to move across Lake Chad into the town of
Borno in Nigeria. This is why it is known as the Kanem-Borno empire.

The king of Kanem was referred to as Mai. Twelve members of the royal family (maina)
and dignitaries (kaigana) who formed the state council assisted the Mai.

The dignitaries included:

• Kaigama-the commander-in-chief of the army and warden of the south.


• Mestrema - the keeper of the royal household and the warden of the east.
• Yerima - the warden of the north.
• Galadima - the warden of the west.

The members of the royal household included:

• The Mai - the king


• The Gumsu- the head of his wives
• The Magira - the official mother
• The Magara - his sister
• The Groma - his eldest son and official heir
• The Maina and Mairam - the other sons and daughters
• The Maidugu - the grandson
• The Chima Kura - the fiefholder
• The Chima Kura - the controller of the administration

The political administration of Kanem-Borno was a centralized one as the Mai had
absolute power in the empire.
THE NUPE KINGDOM

The Nupe Kingdom The people of Nupe are majorly found in Niger State in Nigeria. They
are divided into different subgroups including Batau, Kyedye, Eghagi, Ebe and Benu.
Some Nupe live outside the group's boundaries too. They are scattered over several
states in West-Central and Northern Nigeria.

The people of Nupe live in a large village called Ezi. They are mostly farmers of staple
crops like millet, guinea corn, yams, groundnuts and rice. They are also hunters.

In the pre-colonial political organization, the Etsu was the head of government. He
carried out measures of administration; he is responsible for law and order.

The Etsu was chosen from within any of the sub-sections into which the inner city
(Bida) was divided. The Etsu (or Etsuzhi) was very powerful. His words were law. His
powers were checked or restricted by some traditions and of law.

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