Origins and expansion According to the locally known
Hausa legend, the Kebbi kingdom was one of the
Banza Bakwai ("seven bastards") or seven "illegitimate" states. The rulers of these states were supposed to trace their lineage to a
concubine of the Hausa founding father, Bayajidda, hence the locally disdainful term
banza ("illegitimate").
Sokoto Caliph Muhammad Bello wrote that the Kebbawa descended from a
Katsinawa mother and a
Songhay father. The first historical references date to the time when the area came under
Songhay rule during the reign of
Sunni Ali (1464–92). The area of the lower
Rima valley was initially governed by clan chiefs (
magira), and saw immigration of other Hausa. One such person was
Muhammadu Kanta from Kuyambana in Katsina, who came to
de-facto rule Songhay's sub-province of Kebbi through his militaristic skill. In the year 1517–8, an attempt was made by Songhay to re-establish its authority over Kebbi, but was unsuccessful. Kuta was succeeded, probably in 1523-4 by
Muhammad Kanta and it was under him that Kebbi emerged as a formidable power in the
Central Sudan. During the reign of the Songhay
Askia Muhammad Bunkan, the Kanta was able to inflict a crushing defeat on Songhay, the Askia's army was scattered 'pell-mell' and Muhammad Bunkan was fortunate to get away with his life. During this period
Surame, of which the massive walls still survive, was the capital of the kingdom. Following this, Kanta aggregated various villages into fortified towns, including
Birnin Kebbi which became his base in defence against the Songhay. The
Sarkin Kebbi,
Muhammadu Hodi, was driven from his capital and replaced by a puppet ruler,
Usuman Masa. However, the Kebbawa continued to resist, and Abdullahi was unable to complete the conquest. Muhammadu Hodi fought on in the
Zamfara Valley, and his successor Karari in Argungu and Zazzagawa. On Karari's death in 1831, his son
Yakubu Nabame surrendered, and for 16 years lived in exile in
Sokoto until Sultan Aliyu Babba allowed him to return to Argungu as a vassal of the Caliphate. In 1849 Yakubu renounced his allegiance and proclaimed himself Sarkin Kebbi. After see-saw battles, including at one time a siege of Argungu by Sokoto forces, Sultan Aliyu of Sokoto effectively recognized the independence of the Kebbi Emirate based in Argungu. However the Sokoto government effectively controlled Kebbi politics and it acted as a puppet state. Kebbi now formed a hostile wedge between Sokoto and Gwandu, and sporadic warfare continued for the next fifty years. In 1859 Yakubu's brother and successor Yusufu Mainasara was killed in battle in the dried out floodplain of the
Rima River. In 1860 the Emir of Gwandu, Haliru, was killed in battle at Karakara. In 1867 the Fulani recognized the independence of Kebbi in a formal treaty. In 1875 war broke out again when the people of Fanna in the lower Rima valley decided to transfer their allegiance to Gwandu. Sarkin Kebbi Sama'ila achieved a string of successes against Gwandu between 1883 and 1903, with some severe setbacks, until the establishment of the
British protectorate of Northern Nigeria finally ended the fighting. == Rulers ==