Zaria, formerly Zazzau, or Zegzeg, is a historic kingdom, traditional emirate in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria, with its headquarters at Zaria City.
The kingdom is traditionally said to date from around the year 1210, when King Gunguma founded it as one of the original Hausa Bakwai (Seven True Hausa States).
As the most southernmost state of the Seven Hausa States, it had the function of capturing slaves for all Hausa Bakwai, especially for the northern markets of Kano and Katsina.
Camel caravans from the Sahara travelled south to Zazzau to exchange salt for slaves, cloth, leather, and grain.
Islām was introduced about 1456, and there were Muslim Hausa rulers in the early 16th century.
According to Leo Africanus, Muammad I Askia, a warrior leader of the Songhai Empire, conquered Zazzau around the year 1499.
No comments