Daura Emirate – Hausa Foundation City
Daura · Kusugu Well City
Hausa foundation (9th c CE – 1805 Fulani conquest; Bayajidda c. 900 CE)·Hausa (Bayajidda legend; Daurama matriarchal tradition)·🇳🇬 Katsina State, Daura Emirate, 80 km north of Katsina, Nigeria
About
About Daura Emirate – Hausa Foundation City
Holiest Hausa city where Bayajidda legend says Daurama queen's serpent Sarki in Kusugu well was slain c. 900 CE founding Hausa Bakwai; 14th c mud walls 6.5 km with palace of Emir and ancient wells; gargare weaving tradition.
Why it mattersKey Hausa foundation (9th c CE – 1805 Fulani conquest; Bayajidda c. 900 CE) site illustrating Hausa (Bayajidda legend; Daurama matriarchal tradition) urbanism and hausa bakwai foundation city and kusugu well pilgrimage centre.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Bayajidda serpent — myth vs hydrological metaphor
Theories
- 01Hausa foundation dispersal model (Smith)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Hausa walled town c. 900 CE (Bayajidda serpent legend); 14th c walls
- Period
- Hausa foundation (9th c CE – 1805 Fulani conquest; Bayajidda c. 900 CE)
- Culture
- Hausa (Bayajidda legend; Daurama matriarchal tradition)
- Purpose
- Hausa Bakwai foundation city and Kusugu well pilgrimage centre
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
Hausa walled town c. 900 CE (Bayajidda serpent legend); 14th c walls
Initial construction / foundation
20th century
Modern archaeological survey and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
13.0400° N · 8.3200° E · 475 m · 3 mapped features
- Daura Emirate — Principal GategateMain gate and rampart section at Daura Emirate – Hausa Foundation City13.0406° N · 8.3206° E
- Daura Emirate — Central Forum/BasilicaforumForum–basilica complex at Daura Emirate – Hausa Foundation City13.0400° N · 8.3200° E
- Daura Emirate — Baths/CisternsbathsBaths and cistern cluster at Daura Emirate – Hausa Foundation City13.0394° N · 8.3194° E
Gallery