The Dambazawa (or Danbazawa) are a Fulani clan residing mainly in Kano State, Nigeria. They were among the key promoters, planners and executors of the Fulani Jihad in Kano, which took place between 1804 and 1807 under the leadership of Shehu Usuman dan Fodiyo. The clan was said to be the top financier of the jihad because it was said to be extremely wealthy at the time of the jihad. Other Fulani Clans that participated in the Jihad included: the Jobawa, the Yolawa, the Sullubawa, the Danejawa and others, as well as a contingent of the native Hausa people led by Malam Usuman bahaushe. Together they formed a formidable force and toppled the 158 year Kutumbawa dynasty led by its last ruler Muhammad Alwali dan Yaji dan Dadi bakutumbe who ruled between 1781 and 1806.
History and origin
The origin of the Dambazawa is as unclear as that of the Fulani race itself, but sources within the clan believe it to be of a Dayebe Fulani group. It was at the time of Sundiata Keita (c. 1217–1255 A.D.) the Fulbe of that era began adopting surnames that conformed to their socioeconomic groups. During that era, the socioeconomic group of a Pullo could easily be identified by considering his/her surname. It is unclear how this process came to be, but it is true that all Fulbe belong to one of four tribes: The Ururbe (Ba, Diakite), Dialloube (Diallo), Ferrobe (Sow) and Dayebe (Barry, Sangare). The Ba are considered to be a warrior group; the Diallo's geniuses; the Sow's, known to be religious, the guardians of the temple; the Barry were the nobility of the Fulbe.
The Dambazawa clan believes they migrated from Futa Tooro in what is now Senegal, with their whole clan consisting of their leaders, clerics, peasants and vocation castes (leyyi) that included; Jaawamɓe (courtesans/advisers), Maabuɓe (weavers), Wayilɓe Baleeɓe /sayakooɓe (blacksmiths/goldsmiths), Buurnaaɓe (ceramists), Sakkeeɓe (tanners), Lewɓe (woodworkers), Awluɓe (laudators), Wambaaɓe (guitarists) and Maccuɓe (slaves). Their sojourn eastward, took them through the Republics of Mali, Niger, Chad and Cameroun. Their migratory drift was characterized by settling in an area for months or years before moving on. They would raise their cattle, transact business, gain and disseminate Islamic knowledge in the areas they settled or passed through. For over two centuries they kept roaming until they arrived at the Kanem Empire in (Borno-Nigeria) and settled there. By the early 16th century, they left Borno and settled for a while in Damban in present-day Bauchi, Nigeria). From Damban they moved to Gasakoli (a place in Jigawa, Nigeria), then to an area in what was then the eastern part of the Kano Kingdom—known today as Dambazau in Takai. They remained in that area for a while. From there, they continued their westward movement, avoiding Kano city and settling in an area north of the Kano city wall. Today this area is also known as Dambazau. After Kano city fell to the Fulani forces in 1806, their nobility, clerics and most of their Jaawando and Maccube moved into the walled city. There they occupied the House of Sarkin Bai, a compound north of the city, behind the city market called Jakara. Today that compound is also called Dambazau within the city wall. After the clan settled permanently in Kano, some of its members moved out to other areas. Wherever they settled they tended to name that area Dambazau.
The Dambazawa have a tradition of leaving behind some of their clan members and herds, whenever they decided to leave an area they have settled. Most of the time that area is named Dambazau meaning: "The abode of the Dambazawa". The Dambazawa believed that wherever they lived, in Nigeria or beyond, the area is called Dambazau. Today in Nigeria alone there are Dambazau villages in Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Bauchi, Gombe and Muri (Taraba) states.
Dambazawa during the Jihad in Kano (1804–1807)