The major tribes in Katsina State are predominantly the Fulani and other kinds of tribes which maybe are not easily pronounceable. Katsina State was created out of the defunct Kaduna State on Wednesday 23rd September 1987. The State comprises the two Emirates of Katsina and Daura, with an estimated population of 5,792,578 people, based on 2006 census.
The state currently borders Kaduna State to the South, Jigawa and Kano States to the East, Zamfara State to the West and the Niger Republic to the North. The State occupies an area of about 23,938sq kilometers.
The Emir of Katsina
The Katsina Royal Palace known as ‘Gidan Korau’ is a huge complex located in the centre of the ancient city. It is a symbol of culture, history and traditions of ‘Katsinawa’. According to historical account, it was built in 1348 CE by Muhammadu Korau, who is believed to have been the first Muslim King of Katsina. This explains why it is traditionally known as ‘Gidan Korau’ (House of Korau). It is one of the oldest and among the first generation palaces, along with Daura, Kano and Zazzau.
The palace was encircled with a rampart, ‘Ganuwar Gidan Sarki’ (which is now gone). The main gate which leads to the palace is known as ‘Kofar Soro’, while the gate at the backyard is called ‘Kofar Bai’ (now gone). The Emir’s residential quarters at the epicenter of the Palace is a large compound built in the typical traditional architectural style. The current Emir of Katsina is Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman.a Fulani legacy.
Atmospheric Conditions of the State
It is situated on Latitude between 110 07’ 49N’ 130 22 57” and Longitude 6052’ 03E and 9 90 02’E”. The State extends from the tropical grassland known as the Savannah to Arid Zone to the North. Like any other part of the tropics, there are two main seasons; wet and dry season. Rainy season is larger in the southern part of the State where it lasts up to five months, while in the northern part of the State it lasts for four months. The average temperature of the State is between 21 – 30 degrees centigrade.
The creation of the State in 1987 brought with it the usual increase in the volume of economic and social activities attendant to a new State. The major crops produced in the State are millet, guinea corn, groundnut, cotton, maize, beans, rice and wheat. The State is the largest producer of cotton in Nigeria. Livestock production is also a major occupation of the people.
Academics
Katsina is known in history as ‘cradle of learning’. There have been in existence Islamic Schools and other centers of scholarship as far back 14th century. The famous Gobarau Islamic Centre and Mosque, which at that time was the center of learning in the whole of Western Sudan was constructed during the reign of Sarkin Katsina Muhammadu Korau (1348 – 1398 AD).
At present the State has three Universities, namely Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Alqalam University and Federal University Dutsinma. Other Institutions of Higher Learning include Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, FCE Katsina, Isa Kaita College Dutsinma, Yusuf Bala Usman College of Legal Daura, School of Basic Studies Funtua, etc.
Natural Resources
Different types of mineral resources are bound in many locations across the State. The major once include: Gold, Uranium, Iron ore,. Nikel, Asbestos, Kaolin, Silica Sands, Fire Clay, Lead Oxide, Manganese, Ball Clay and various types of precious stones. The major crops produced in the State include maize, guinea corn, millet, groundnut, cassava rice, beans sugarcane and cocoa yam.
The Major Tribes in Katsina State
The major tribes in Katsina State are Hausa and Fulani and Islam is the predominant religion. Languages spoken in the State are Hausa and Fulfulde. The State is one of the most peaceful States in the Federation. Check out the full gist about the major tribes in Katsina State:
Fulani Tribe
The Fulani tribe is one of the biggest tribes in West Africa. Apart from Nigeria, this tribe can be found in some other African countries such as Chad, Niger republic, Senegal, Cameroon, etc. There are about 40 million people in this tribe with almost half of them being nomadic in nature. The Fulani people are cattle rearers and speak Fulfulde.
The people of the Fulani tribe are predominantly Muslims have similar cultures with the Hausas. People from Southern Nigeria usually mistake them for Hausas. The major occupation of the Fulanis is cattle rearing. Fulani men wear flowing gowns that are known as Babban riga while their women tie wrapper on blouse and put on the hijab. Meals eaten by this people are usually made from maize and millet
Read Also: The Major Tribes in Borno
Hausa Tribe
The Hausas tribe is known to be the largest tribe in the whole of West Africa. The Hausa people are very influential and powerful people. Due to their level of influence, lots of the minority tribes in Northern Nigeria have adapted to their traditions and cultural values.
The Hausa are farmers and traders. They also practice Islam. The Hausas have a lot in common with the Arabs. This has fueled the belief that they migrated from the Middle East.
Men from the Hausa tribe usually dress in flowing gowns known as Babban riga while their women tie wrapper on blouse and cover their heads with hijabs.
