THE ORIGIN OF MALAMAN GAFAI IN KATSINA: LINEAGE OF MALAM BUHARI OF YANDOTO (SINCE 1763)

Historians such as Professor Mannir Mamman Darma, reviewed that the origin of Malaman Gafai of cikin Birnin Katsina was traced back to Arab community from the family of Prophet Isma’il ibn Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.W).  They were living in Makka before migrated to Jaziratul Arab in the city of Yemen and later moved back to Madina, at the early stage of propagation of Islam. The same group of people went to the city of Andulus in Spain and gave support to Islamic group who were attacked by the western army (the British army) and Jews during the Uthman Empire of Turkey. Afterward, they went to Morocco and lived in the city of Meknes and named the area where they lived as “Gafai”. They spent most of their times in Morocco and later migrated to Algeria and Libya, some of them proceeded to Chad and Sudan, others moved to Nigeria and lived in the city of Ngazargamu in the area of Kanem Borno Caliphate of the north eastern part of Nigeria around 14th century. The Kanem Borno Caliphate was established by the Arab people of Yamen, and the first person in the Caliphate to propagate Islam was the Sheik Uqbatu ibn Nafi’u in the period of 7th century. Borno Caliphate gained more expansion during the reign of the powerful leader Malam Mai Idris Alooma, who lived in the city of Ngazargamu as the headquarter of Kanem Borno in 15th century. Malam Mai Idris Alooma brought about expansion and many developmental projects in the Caliphate. Until later, crises erupted Ngazargamu which led to collapse of the Caliphate to Kanem Borno again. Simultaneously, Rabe Azzubair from Sudan emerged and conquered the Caliphate in 1893, but with the support from the British and France armies the Kanem Borno regained its power and moved its headquarters to Kukawa. Later the headquarters was transferred to Maiduguri and also changed the title of the ruling class to Malam Elkanemi, which they bear up to today. 

It is very clear that the north eastern part of Nigeria had been suffered by the attacks and crises of internal and external forces for several years, which mostly affects Muslim communities. The family of Malam Buhari who were living in Ngazargamu Caliphate, became the leading Islamic scholars of the Caliphate. However, due to the crises in the area and most of his relatives were killed, Malam Buhari the famous sheiks of the Caliphate then decided to leave Ngazargamu for his safety in 17th Century. Similarly, as a result of the recent ongoing crises of insurgency in the North East which began around 2009, the cities of Ngazargamu and Kukawa are now taken over by members of the Boko Haram. However, Malam Buhari migrated together with his wife and his two children (Malam Abubakar (Nasamu) and Malam Yahaya), with the intention to go to the Tumbuktu Islamic Center in Mali, where there was peace then. Finally, he stopped at Yandoto in the North western part of Nigeria before reaching out to Tumbuktu. During his stay he observed that the people of the area were non-Muslim, they practice Juju as a means of worshipping their idols, instead of worshipping Allah Subhanahu Wata’alah. Malam Buhari started introducing them to the teaching of Islam and how to worship Allah (S.W.A), within a short period of time many of them accepted the teaching of Islam and the entire area became a Muslim community. Malam Buhari established the first Islamic Center in the hausa land at Yandoto in 17th century. Although, there were other Islamic Center in the world, such as; Al-Qarawiyyin Islamic Center, which was the first and oldest in the world established by Fatima Al-Fihri in 8th century at city of Fez, Morocco. Followed by Al-Azahar in Egypt (Misra) founded around 9th century, as well as Tumbuktu Islamic Center of Mali which was founded in 12th century. Similarly, there were Gobarau Minaret in Birnin Katsina which was built in 1438 by the King of Katsina Muhammadu Korau, but historians were argued that, it was initially built to served as Juma’at Central Mosque. The Minaret was the first of its kind in the western Sub-Saharan region and later converted to Islamic Center for learning. It was also reported that the Juma’at Central Mosque of Agadez in Niger was built in 1515, which became the second Juma’at Central Mosque in the Western Sub-Saharan region.

Researchers such as; Professor U. Adamu Abdallah and Professor A. Isma’ila Tsiga (1997) reported that Malam Buhari was the leading scholars of Yandoto and also the adviser of Katsina Kings in 17th Century. The relation ship started during the regime of Katsina King Muhammadu Usman Tsaga Rana the third, a period of more than a hundred years before the Jihad of Shehu Usman Danfodio. Malam Buhari of Yandoto established a famous Islamic University which was named “Daulatul-Asharaf” at Yandoto in 17th Century, the first Islamic Center in hausa land where men and women acquire Islamic knowledge. The Center exists for about fifty years before the death of Malam Buhari in 1763, afterwards his two sons also migrated from Yandoto, Malam Yahaya moved to Katsina and Malam Abubakar (Nasamu) went back to Ngazargamu (detailed information of the movement are in the book). After they had left Yandoto, the remaining scholars stayed behind and continued imparting knowledge to others until after the attack or war of Yandoto. Among them were the grand parents of Malam Muhammadu Sambo the son of Malam Ashafa, who established the city of Gusau, the Capital city of Zamfara State. There were also Malam Dan Bagadad, Malam Dan Baki (Kanuri) and Malam Abubakar Bakogayi, the father of Malam Salihu Gatarin Baki who relocated to Bakogayi in Faskari Local Government Area. Later they moved and resided at Darma quarters in Katsina. The attack of Yandoto was organized by the Sultan Muhammadu Bello bin Shehu Usman Danfodio, led by Malam Nagwamatse. The attack resulted to the demolition of Yandoto Islamic Learning Center in 1805, which led to the scattered of the people living in the area. The area is now named as Yandoton Daji because there were no more people living in the area. The then Sheik Elkanemi of Borno condemned the attack to the scholars of Yandoto, who were purely Muslims, added that it was a sin (Fasad or Ma’asiya). Arguably, the attack of the scholars of Yandoto as a result of misunderstanding and complex of interest between the Sultan Muhammadu Bello and scholars of Yandoto, not for the sake of Islam.

At the time of Malam Buhari in Yandoto, most of the sheiks in Tumbuktu of Mali and that of Agadez were trooping to Yandoto seeking for more knowledge from the Malam Buhari.  Among them were Malam Jibrila, the famous teacher of the Sheik Usman bin Fodio and his brother Sheik Abdullahi bin Fodio of Gwandu. Other scholars include; Malam Ahmad Kabara, the grandfather of Sheik Nasiru Kabara and that of Malam Umaru the grandfather of Malam Ibrahim Babba known as “Malam Ibrahim na Tsugunne” of unguwar Madabo, Kano. They were also among many other scholars who joined Malam Abubakar (Nasamu) the elder son of Malam Buhari when moving from Yandoto town to the city of Kano, on his way back to their old residence at Ngazargamu. Malam Abubakar (Nasamu) became a leading scholar in Kano at 18th Century,  subsequently, after he had left Kano and proceeded his migration to Ngazargamu, those scholars who chose to stay in Kano later became the renowned sheiks in the area. Similarly, Dr. Bala Usman (1981) affirmed that the famous Islamic Centre of Malaman Gafai in Birnin Katsina was established by the Malam Yahaya (Mai-Gafai), the second son of the Malam Buhari of Yandoto and was a branch of Islamic Center of the Yandoto. Malam Yahaya established Gafai Islamic Center as a result of his stay in Katsina in 1763, which was requested by the then Katsina King, Muhammadu Usman Tsaga Rana the third, and he became a leading scholar at his time in Katsina. There was also a branch of Gafai Islamic learning center at Tsohuwar Kasuwa in Birnin Katsina, established by the son of inlaw to the Malam Yahaya (Mai-Gafai), Malam Muhammadu Ladan Tsohuwar Kasuwa who came to Katsina from Kulunfardu of the Kanem Borno at the period of sarkin Katsina, Malam Umarun Dallaje. Malam Muhammadu Ladan had been a scholar of Malam Yahaya (Mai-Gafai) since his arrival into Katsina city, then later got married to Malam Yahaya’s daughter, Malama Halimatu who gave birth to fifteen children (10 men and 5 women), with thirty-six grand children. Malam Muhammadu Ladan graduated from Gafai Islamic Center by Malam Yahaya (Mai-Gafai) and gained permission to stay and teach other scholars at his residence in Tsohuwar Kasuwa, Katsina. 

Before the movement of Malam Yahaya to Katsina, the King of Katsina had been requesting Malam Buhari of Yandoto, to relocate to Katsina when he was alive, but refused to. However, after the death of Malam Buhari at Yandoto in 1763, the King of Katsina also put pressure again to the sons of Malam Buhari, Malam Abubakar (Nasamu) and Malam Yahaya (Mai-Gafai), seeking them to come and live in Katsina so that people will benefit from the vast of their Islamic Knowledge. Malam Yahaya then relocated to Katsina in honor of the request by Katsina King, and he traveled to Katsina with about 300 scholars. On the arrival of Malam Yahaya into Katsina city, the King of Katsina Muhammadu Usman Tsaga Rana the third welcomed him and his scholars. Then, the King requested Malam Yahaya to stay with his scholars in his palace, but he turned down the offer. The Katsina King then asked him to trace out where he wanted to live in the city of Katsina, and a house will be built for him by the King. Malam Yahaya led the team together with the King of Katsina to show where he will choose to live with his scholars in Katsina Metropolis. Malam Yahaya reached to a place where he chose to live with his scholars in cikin Birni at the peoples’ domain, which he later named the area as “Unguwar Gafai”. The King of Katsina then directed his people to build a house for Malam Yahaya. Surprisingly, the scholars of Malam Yahaya then refused to allow execute the order of the King (to build a house). They told him that, they were ready to build the house by themselves for their Sheik (Malam Yahaya) and the King accepted. That was how the house (Babban Gida) was built in Gafai quarters in 1763 by Malam Yahaya’s scholars. Malam Yahaya gave name of the area as “Gafai” to commemorate the name of the city where his grate grand fathers lived in Morocco around 1611 at Meknes. The people of Katsina then honour Malam Yahaya with the title or nickname of “Malam Mai-Gafai” instead of calling his name directly. That also signifies a sign of respect offered to Malam Yahaya by the people of Katsina, considering him a leading scholar and founder of the great area “Gafai”. Since then, Malam Yahaya held the title of “Mai-Gafai” meaning that the founding father and owner of the area, and even if some one was bearing the name “Yahaya”, people of Katsina used to called him “Mai-Gafai” as a courtesy of Malam Yahaya.

Additionally, Malam Yahaya (Mai-Gafai) established a famous Islamic learning center in Gafai where all the uluma’a of Katsina, its surroundings and beyond were coming to acquire more Islamic knowledge. Malam Yahaya (Mai-Gafai) became the leading scholars and adviser to the Kings of Katsina since Habe kingdom up to the Dallazawa dynasty at the era of sarkin Katsina Malam Muhammadu Bello ibn sarkin Katsina Malam Umarun Dallaje. Whenever the King had devastating issues and he needs guidance, he normally met Malam Yahaya (Mai-Gafai) and narrated the problems to him, for finding the best solutions and to offer prayer for his success as well. After the death of Malam Yahaya (Mai-Gafai) then, his elder son Malam Abdussamadu Gafai became the first Khalifa, he also maintained all the status-core of his ancestors. Simarly, after the death of Malam Abdussamadu Gafai, his nephew Alhaji Malam Madu Gafai (the son of his younger brother, Malam Sayyadi Babba) became the second Khalifa. Alhaji Malam Madu Gafai rein during the Dallazawa rulling house at the era of sarkin Katsina Malam Ibrahim dan sarkin Katsina Malam Muhammadu Bello, up to the period of Sullubawa dynasty of sarkin Katsina Muhammadu Dikko, at the same times, the era of British rule in Katsina. Subsequently, after the death of Alhaji Malam Madu Gafai in 1918, his son Alhaji Sayyadi Gafai who was the best friend of the then Emir of Katsina, Muhammadu Dikko continue the relationship with the ruling class of Sullubawa. Sarkin Katsina Muhammadu Dikko appointed Alhaji Sayyadi Gafai Mallamawan Katsina from 1910 to 1914, as a recognition of his background. Again, sarkin Katsina appointed Alhaji Sayyadi Gafai as the second Mutawallen Katsina, after the death of Malam Umaru (father of Malam Musa Yar’adua) the first Mutawallen Katsina. Alhaji Sayyadi Gafai later relinquished the position to his son of inlaw Malam Balarabe Masanawa in 1933, when Alhaji Sayyadi Gafai and the emir of Katsina Muhammadu Dikko intended to travel to Makka for Pilgrimage. 

Similarly, Among the Malaman cikin Birnin Katsina and beyond, Alhaji Malam Madu Gafai was the first person traveled to Makka for the Pilgrimage by road. And also the first person who started the celebration of Maulud (Birth Day) of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him in Katsina. During celebration, many people were coming to Gafai at Babban Gida from different parts of Katsina, to listen to Alhaji Malam Madu Gafai delivering the lecture “Sira” of the birth and life history of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his followers, from the book of “Barzanji” so that people will emulate the attitudes of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). During celebration of Mauludin Nabiyi, alot of foods and drinks are provided for the entertainment to those in attendance. However, Malam Yahaya (Mai-Gafai) produces sons and daughters who gave birth to great grand children of the Paternal and Maternal sides. They were prominent people and excel in different aspect of lives such as; Islamic propagation, Traditional leaders, Judges, Business, Education, Diplomats, Politicians, Civil Servants and Militaries. The family produced many famous Islamic scholars, Traditional title holders, Political office holders such as; Minister, Governor and Deputy Governor, Senator, State House of Assembly Members, Chairman of the Local Government Area, Civil Servants, Administrators, Managers, Grand Khadi, Khadies, Alkalies, Magistrates and Barristers, International Business men, Ambassadors, Educationist (Professors and Doctors) in various fields of study, Armies and Navies, Police, Immigration, Engineers and Bankers. The late President of Nigeria, Malam Umaru Musa Yar’adua and his brother, Vice President of Nigeria Shehu Musa Yar’adua are among the great grand children of Malam Buhari of Yandoto from the Maternal side. Detailed information of the names, Biographies and positions held by the members of this family were presented and discussed in the book titled “Tarihin Malaman Gafai (Banu Malam Buhari of Yandoto)” from 1700 to 2026, which will soon be compiled and published in the public domain, insha Allah. 

Bashir Gafai is a member of Malam Buhari of 'Yandoto family and a staff of Ministry of Information, Katsina State.