Back to: History Primary 3
Hello, my brilliant superstar! How are you feeling today? I hope you’re excited because we have another interesting story to learn. Have you ever heard of the Hausa Kingdom? It was a group of strong and powerful cities that existed a long time ago in what is now northern Nigeria. Sit back, relax, and let’s discover the amazing story of how the Hausa Kingdom was established!
Establishment of the Hausa Kingdom
Imagine a time when there were no phones, no cars, and no big cities like Kano or Kaduna. A long time ago, the Hausa people lived in small villages, farming, trading, and protecting themselves from enemies. But as time went on, their villages grew into big and powerful cities. These cities came together to form what we now call the Hausa Kingdom. Each city had its own ruler, but they shared the same language, culture, and way of life.
The Hausa Kingdom was made up of seven main cities, which were called the Hausa Bakwai (which means “The Seven Hausa States”). These cities were Daura, Kano, Katsina, Zazzau (now Zaria), Gobir, Rano, and Biram. Each of these cities had a king and was known for different things. For example, Kano and Katsina were famous for trade, while Zazzau was known for farming and warriors.
The Hausa people have a special story about how their kingdom started. A long time ago, there was a queen named Queen Daurama who ruled Daura. The people of Daura had a big problem—there was a snake that lived in their only well, and it would not allow anyone to fetch water except on certain days. This made life very difficult for the people.
One day, a brave man named Bayajidda came from the east. When he arrived in Daura, he was very thirsty, but he was told he could not fetch water because of the snake. Bayajidda did something very bold—he took his sword and killed the snake! The people were very happy and grateful to him. Queen Daurama married Bayajidda, and they had a son. This son later became the ruler of Daura, and his children spread across the land to establish the other Hausa states. That is how the Hausa Kingdom began!
The Hausa people were hardworking and smart. They built strong walls around their cities to protect themselves from enemies. They were also great traders, selling goods like leather, cloth, gold, and salt. Many Hausa cities became very rich because of trade.
Over time, the Hausa Kingdom grew stronger, and the people developed a well-organised way of life. They had their own traditional government, with the Sarkin (king) as the ruler. The king had advisers, warriors, and traders who helped him run the city. The Hausa people also believed in Islam, which spread to their land through traders from the north.
Imagine living in a big compound where each part of the house is ruled by a different uncle. One uncle is very good at selling things, another uncle is a great farmer, and another one is a strong warrior. But even though they live in different parts of the compound, they all speak the same language and come together for family meetings. This is just like the Hausa Kingdom! Each city had its own ruler, but they shared the same culture and worked together in trade and protection.
Conclusion
The Hausa Kingdom was made up of seven strong cities, known as the Hausa Bakwai. The story of the kingdom’s beginning is linked to Queen Daurama and Bayajidda, the brave man who killed the snake in Daura. The Hausa people became famous for their trading, farming, and strong leadership. Their cities grew into powerful places that influenced Nigerian history. Today, Hausa culture is still strong in northern Nigeria, and their traditions continue to thrive.
Evaluation
- What were the seven main cities of the Hausa Kingdom called?
- Who was the queen of Daura?
- What did Bayajidda do to help the people of Daura?
- What was the name of the king in the Hausa Kingdom?
- Name two things the Hausa people were known for.
You are doing an amazing job learning about our great Nigerian history! The Hausa Kingdom is an important part of who we are, and I am so proud of you for paying attention. Keep being curious, keep asking questions, and keep learning! You are a star, and Afrilearn is here to make sure you shine. See you in the next lesson!
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