Acibilisians will love this book for two reasons. First, it is the most handsome book I have seen in recent years. Beautiful lithographic design, with muted colors and bold fonts, and a big fat ribbon bookmark which adds elegance to the book. It is also ‘coffee’ table design – large format. Not something you carry to bed to lull you into sleep if counting sheep does not work. The sort you draw close to you while lounging on your sofa in the comfort of your living room. Second reason? I will reveal it at the end of the post!
I don’t know how many people were aware of this handsome, nay, beautiful book printed in yellow paper that gives it a classical parchment appearance. I certainly was not. I was on an assignment for Cambridge University Press book project when I needed to verify something on Katsina. I turned one of BUK’s Zafafa Goma, Kabiru Haruna Isa for some sources– and just like that, he dropped the book for me (plus others!). I got what I wanted in the book, but I thought people should be aware of the book itself.
A further attribute of the book is its incredible origin. It was the result of a conference held in the honor of His Excellency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Sardaunan Katsina. Now, when chieftaincy titles are conferred in Africa, such activity is usually prefaced by pageantry, music, drama and dances. Sure, these were all done when the Ambassador was turbaned Sardaunan Katsina on December 31, 2022. But a departure, and reflecting his intellectual and academic pedigree, was the institution of a conference that explores Katsina from various lenses. The theme was "Tradition and Modernity: Trends and Issues in the History of Katsina.” As the introduction of the book, written by Prof. Muhammad Ɗahiru Suleiman (aka MD) of the History Department, Bayero University Kano states,
“The conference provided opportunity for an array of scholars drawn from Katsina and beyond to reflect on the history of greater Katsina, its culture, traditions, the dynamics of modernity and the consequent changes it has brought on the people and the direction of development in the society, especially in these very challenging times. Beyond singing and dancing, characteristic of such ceremonies, therefore, and bearing in mind local challenges, the Conference was an occasion for sober reflection and assessment of the historical trajectory of Katsina.”
And a sober reflection indeed. A constellation of 23 Zafafa/Zarata mid-career academics was assembled from Umar Musa Yar Aduwa University, Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Bayero University Kano, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and Federal University Dutsin-Ma, plus one or two colleges were given the task of this historical journey. Thus 23 papers were presented on carefully chosen themes. These papers were subsequently collated, reviewed, revised and painstakingly edited for publication.
The result was “Katsina in Transition: Exploring the History of Royalty, Culture, Trade and Security.” The papers were divided into five sections: royalty and historiography; trade, diplomacy and Muslim Sects; heritage, sports and music, urbanization, education and women in the civil service; and security and governance in Katsina. I doubt if there was ever a book like this on Katsina. Although not a Katsinanian (????) I was privileged to co-edit, with Prof. Isma’ila Tsiga, “Islam and the History of Learning in Katsina” (Spectrum 1997) which was also the result of a conference. But the current effort was certainly more diverse, enriched and an “update” on our effort.
A few grouses, though. Only two women contributed, Murjanatu Abubakar, doctoral student at the UMYUK, and Zinatu Babanginda who works at Communication Call Center. I think there is an unfair representation of women as scholars in the efforts.
Also, popular culture in Katsina was completely marginalized – yet the conference had a theme of tradition and “modernity” – and popular culture is very much reflection of modernity. Katsina is the home to a large number of internationally recognized performers and artists, led by the Mamman Shata. Even Sirajo Maiashralle is a well known figure in French academic circles due to his constant battles with the Islamicate cultures of Kano and Katsina. Suleiman Katsina, Bature Gagare, Umaru Danjuma Katsina (Kasagi), Dauda Kahutu Rarara, Barmani Choge, Abdullahi Boda Katsina and a whole bunch of others, including filmmakers such as Abdu Haro Mashi, etc. are reflections of modern Katsina.
I did not expect a chapter on each of them – but a master paper that will show the various stages of the development of the varieties of popular culture in Katsina as a reflection of modernity would have certainly made the book even more beautiful. There was only a paper on Sarkin Taushin Katsina, whom if memory serves right, was actually originally from Sokoto. Thus excellent popular culture historiographers from Katsina such as Malumfashi Ibrahim Aliyu Mohammed Ibrahim Sheme, Aliyu Kankara seem to have their excellent works ignored.
I get that the royal focus of the collection may preclude popular culture (so the inclusion of Sarkin Taushin Katsina might be tokenism). But the whole theme of the conference and the book is on Katsina in Transition. Katsina is more well known as a popular culture hub than for its sports which the book paid attention to. And education. Whether classical, Islamic or modern, Katsina is the starting point of literacy in northern Nigeria. Remember, the Wangara were in Katsina before they arrived Kano. Yet, there is virtually nothing on this scholastic ascendancy of Katsina.
Despite all these, the book has a second, and most beautiful attribute: it is free. Totally. So much that a stamped advisory in the inner page states boldly “Not for Sale”. I chose to interpret this to mean no money should be given to obtain the book, right? So, acibilis. I wish they had a PDF copy which would be easier to distribute.
But you may inquire from one of the Zafafa 10n BUK, Samaila Suleiman Yandaki. For privacy reasons, I can reveal his email or other contact information. Suffice to say that if you want this book, fly, drive, or trek to his location and if you are lucky, like I am, your life and library will be enhanced by the most significant contribution to northern Nigerian historiography in recent years.
