Emirate: History of Kano Royal tools – Twin spear

By Abubakar Muhammad Musa(Saraki)

Twin spear is a combination of two spares that is very important, in fact, it is one if not the most important Royal tool in Kano Emirate. Nobody processes and use twin spear except the Emir, in the entire Nigerian hemisphere and West African sub-region, nobody has the right of using twin spear except Kano Emirate.

NAWATA AND GAWATA (1133-1135)

After the demise of Sarkin Kano Gijimasu, his twin sons, Nawata and Gawata succeeded him.

The origin of twin spear can be traced to Habe Rulers of Kano, thus, no any other Emirate is allowed to emulate this ancient tradition of using twin spear except Kano Emirate, because the Emirate once had two Emirs that ruled at the same time, where both of them use to seat on the throne together, each of them has a spear as his staff of office, the color of the first spear is red, while the color of the second spear is green.

Read Also: History of Royal Gunshots in Kano Emirate

History has shown that each color of the spears has a meaning, according to historians, the “read color” stands for “War Lord”, the ” green color ” stands for “Lord of Seeds and Stream”.

Nawata and Gawata ruled Kano for only a couple of years, they died the same day, same time. It is very important for us to note that these twin Emirs were not Muslims, but pagans.

EMIR OF KANO YUSA (1135-1193AD)

After the demise of Nawata and Gawata, their younger brother, Yusa succeeded them in the year 1135AD, where he (Yusa) merged their spears.

Sarkin Kano Yusa was the first emir that start using it as ” Twin Spear” (Tagwayen Masu).

Yusa ruled Kano for 58 years.

Since the death of Sarkin Kano Yusa in the year 1193AD none of his successors used it, the twin spears (Tagwayen masu) was kept aside, until during the reign of Sarkin Kano Muhammadu Rumfa in the year 1462AD.

How do the twin spears (Tagwayen Masu) look like

The twins spears, just like any other spears and arrows. Twin spears are iron or were made up of black iron, the head of the spears is not big or wide

Emir Abdullahi Bayero holding Twin Spears ,he reigned from 1926 to 1953

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The twin spears that the emir is using now is not the real twin spears, the type that the emir is using now is just for identification of Kano Emirship and beautifying the Royal Regalia of the ancient Kano Emirate.

History of Royal Gunshots in Kano Emirate

The real twin spears (Tagwayen Masu) that the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Rumfa ordered its merger, whenever it is used, it uses to give sound, a sound of an iron that used to scare whoever heard it, because of what the Habe rulers have done on it of their charms.

Nobody is holding the twin spears directly with his hand, except the Emir, whoever situation warrant him to touch or hold it, he must use a piece of clothes to touch or hold it, according to traditions and royal provisions of Kano Emirate.

Madakin Kano Yusuf Nabahani hanfing over Twin spears to 14th Emir of Kano Muhammad Sunusi II

Twin Spears (Tagwayen Masu) is one of the essential tools needed when installing a new Emir. Processing the twin spears is the first thing that will signify that the person ascends the throne and become an Emir.

Late Emir Ado bayero ,1963 to 2014 as Emir of Kano

Acknowledgment: Special Royal Salute to a historian per excellence, a journalist, a Royalist and a grandson of Sarkin Kano Usman Maje Ringim, ‘prince Kassim Tijjani Turaki.

Abubakar Muhammad Musa(Saraki) is a Public and Current Affairs Commentator, Historian, and Linguist.

He can be reached via linguistmam@gmail.com or @linguistmam via Twitter