Gates of Hausa kingdoms are gates (Hausa: kofa) or walls (ganuwa) that formerly enclosed Hausa kingdoms. In ancient times, each kingdom was enclosed with a wall that contained various gates. During battles, the gates were closed as a war strategy. Each gate has a name and a gatekeeper (Sarkin Kofa, lit. "King of the Gate"). In the past, especially at night, the gatekeeper was in charge of a single gate at all time. All of the gates are assigned to a single person today.
Architectural concept
In Hausa Kingdoms, gates were built from mud, dried grass, timber, metals, stones and other traditional building materials suitable for the building. The gates are designed based on Hausa culture and depict Hausa traditional architecture using burn bricks and traditional colors of the Hausa region. On average, the gates reach a height of about five meters with a length of about ten meters. They are illustrated with patterns, marks, symbols and Hausa design, such as a tambarin arewa, a logo frequently used in Hausa buildings which serves as an emblem or flag to Hausa people. When the structure of the gate is completed, the entire gate is painted in a traditional style while some gates are left brownish with the natural color of mud, like the Gate of Marusa in Katsina.
Overview
In ancient times, every gate was allocated to one person. It is his duty at all times to protect and maintain it by providing administrative records of every movement of people passing through the gate along with foreign record affairs for self-defense. Every gate has a key for opening and closing; the keys are allocated to Sarkin Kofa. Usually, there is a fixed time for closing and opening of every gate but today the gates are open without the need for keys. Traditionally, during wartime, orders only came from either the emir of the kingdom or his war counselor, the Sarkin yaki'. Out of wartime, orders and control of the gate are left to the Sarkin Kofa. It is an order that entry into the city may only be done through those gates. When the gates are closed at night, they do not reopen until dawn. The post of Sarkin Kofa is inherited generationally in the Hausa Kingdom, from a Sarkin Kofa to his children. The gates also serve as a tourist attraction nowadays in Hausalands.
Gates
Bauchi Emirate
In Bauchi Emirate there are nine gates.
Gate of Inkil: Called the gate of Eid. It was constructed for the people of Inkil town to allow them to enter the city and perform Eid prayers. Gate of Dumi: This gate was named after a student of Malam Yakubu called Abdul Dumi, who became the Wambai of Bauchi and an adviser to the emir in the palace. Gate of Jahun Gate of Nasarawo: This gate was named after a prominent malam called Malam Nasarawo, who lived outside the gate. The emir at that time went through the gate to visit Nasarawo for prayers. Gate of Hunti: This gate was built in memory of a Wuntawan warlord (descended from a tribe of Fula people) called Muhmmadu Kusu. As time passed, the word Wuntuwa turned into Hunti. Gate of Ran: Ran is a place were the people of Bauchi once made peace. They followed the gate to meet in Ran; after peace was made, the gate earned the name of the place. Gate of Tirwun: Turwun is a town where Sarki Yakubu hailed from, so he erected this gate to honor his town and his people. Gate of Wambai: When the city of Bauchi was expanded, the emir of that time built another house for his chief adviser known as "Wambai". The house was built in the expanded area together with a gate for coming in and out of the palace to ease his movement. The gate was named after him. Gate of Wuse: The history of this gate remains unknown.
Kano Emirate
The kingdom Kano has 15 gates. Some of its wall has eroded due to poor maintenance.
Gate of Kansakali: Built between 1095 and 1135, the Gate of Kansakali was the first city gate to be constructed. Gate of Nasarawa Gate of Gidan Rumfa: This is the main entrance of Kano palace built by the emir. Sabuwar Kofa Gate: Constructed after Kano fell to the British in 1903. Gate of Dan Agundi Gate of Naisa Gate of Gadankaya Gate of Dukawiya Gate of Kabuga Gate of Waika Gate of Ruwa Gate of Dawanau Gate of Wambai Gate of Mazuga Gate of Mata