History of Royal Gunshots in Kano Emirate

By Abubakar Muhammad Musa(Saraki)

Traditionally, Royal Atilery are the Emir’s warriors, who are responsible for carrying and shooting Royal Guns during traditional durbar and in the presence of the Emir.
Royal Atilery (‘Yan Bindiga) as popularly called are part of the Emir’s Entourage, walking or staying in front of the Emir, 200 meters away from where he is standing, they are being led by a Royal Atilery Commander called “Maitafari”.
Royal Atilery Commander (Maitafari) as popularly called, use to be on horse back and in front of his team, where he instruct the members of his team.
Royal Guns are being use to communicate the arrival or departure of the Emir to the general public.

HISTORY OF THE USE OF GUNS IN KANO EMIRATE.

Historically, the Emirate have started using Royal Guns during Durba, during the reign of Emir of Kano Muhammadu Yaji Dantsamiya popularly called (Yaji II or Babba Zaki) (1753-1768AD).
Historians like Adamu Al’attar Dan Muhammadu Al’arabiy Alfindiki said that “Emir Yaji Dantsamiya was a brave warrior and no nonsense person, he was the one who created the office of Emir’s person security and close Ally (Shamaki), Emir’s aide in charge of the Palace gates (Sallama) and a female protocol officer (Jakadiya), to the extent that no one will have access to the Emir except through one of these Emir’s aides and allies.

Emir Yaji Dantsamiya II structured the Emirate system, he roam around the city during Royal tour (Ran Gadi) with Palace aides, praise singers and Royal Atilery.
Shehu Abubakar Atiku Sanka in his poet “History of Kano Emirs”, he made mention that the first Emir that started using gun was Babba Zaki, where he said in Tazyeenus Suluk:

ﺛﻢ ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ﻳﺎﺝ ﻗﻞ ﻟﻪ ﻳﻪُ **
ﻭﻫِﺞْ ‏( ﻟﺒَﺒَّﺎ ﺯﺍﻙ ‏) ﻧﻌﻢ ﺳﻌﻴﻪ
ﻭﻫﻮ ﺍﻟﺬﻱ ﺃﺣﺪﺙ ﺿﺮﺏ ﺍﻟﻨﻔﻂ **
ﻟﺪﻯ ﺭﻛﻮﺏ ﺳﺮﺟﻪ ﺍﻟﻤﺮﺑﻂ

Meaning; And then Muhammadu Yaji ‘it was said he ruled Kano for 15 years and 8 days’ he is Bubba Zaki, kudos to him over his efforts.
He was the first person that initiated the use of gun shots, whenever he rides on his horse.”
Royal Atilery are well organized, apart from being led by Atilery Commander, they have their own Trump phaters, who use to compose a special drumbeat for the Royal Atilery, which always sounds Unique to the Royal Atilery group.

PLACES IN WHICH THE ROYAL GUNS ARE BEING USE.
Customarily, the use of Royal Guns is specially reserved for the Emir, as no one is allowed to use the guns, except the Emir, just like Royal umbrella, Kakaki (Long Royal Flute), Tambari (Royal Drum of Honor) and so on…

TIME IN WHICH THE GUNS ARE BEING USE.
Royal Atilery use to be in Emir’s entourage always, as mentioned above that they are always not far away from the Emir.

1. They use to start shooting the guns on air, as soon as the Emir comes out from his house, or when he entered the house.
2. During Sallah (Eid Festivals) they use to start shooting as soon as the Emir came out from his house, till he come back from Eid Durbar.
3. On Fridays, it’s being shoot only four times, the first two will be shoot immediately after the Juma’a (Friday) prayer and the other 2 after the Emir entered Palace.
4. The gun is being shoot to communicate the citing of the new moon of Ramadan, for the start of Ramadan fasting and on citing of the moon of Shawwal to end Ramadan fasting and get set for Sallah celebration the following day.
5. As soon as the Eid Prayer is over and during Eid Festivities, which of full of merry making, when the District Heads, Ward Heads, Village Heads, Royalists and all other stakeholders will join the Emir for an organized age long horse pocesion, where they will roam the city, fully dressed in Royal Regalia, amidst praise singers, drum beaters, Royal Flutters, war lords etc.
6. When the Emir’s horse is brought for decoration; One hour ahead of the time of Emir’s outing, the gun is being shoot to inform District Heads, Ward Heads, Village Heads and all other Durbar Contingents that they should get prepared and set, the time for the Durbar is drawing nearer, for example, for Hawan Daushe, it’s being shoot by 3PM.
7. To announce the Emir’s arrival to or departure from a venue of an event.
8. Whenever the Emir stood up to deliver a speech during an event and on conclusion of his speech. Acknowledgement: A Special Royal Salute to Tahir Lawan Mu’az