Located in north-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Katsina State was created out of the old Kaduna State in 1987 and it is divided into thirty four local government areas which include Bakori, Batagarawa, Batsari, Baure, Bindawa, Charanchi, Danja, Dandume, Dan-Musa, Daura, Dutsi, Dutsinma, Faskari, Funtua, Ingawa, Jibia, Kafur, Kaita, Kankara, Kankia, Katsina, Kurfi, Kusada, Mai-Adua, Malumfashi, Mani, Mashi, Matazu, Musawa, Rimi, Sabuwa, Safana, Sandamu, and Zango.
The area known as Katsina State today was originally part of the old Kaduna State until 1987 when Katsina was created. The state is made up of two Emirates which feature prominently in the establishment of the seven Hausa kingdoms. The lineage between Bayajida and Daurama produced the founders of Daura, Katsina, Zaria, Kano, Rano Gobir and Biram. The State was founded by Kumayo and before the Fulani conquest had been an important seat of learning and a commercial centre of the trans-saharan trade.
People & Culture
Katsina is a predominantly Hausa – Fulani state and most people speak only Hausa. The state is also made up of two emirates, namely; Katsina and Daura emirates which feature prominently in the establishment of the seven Hausa Kingdoms. The famous Bayajidda lineage had produced the founders and kings of Katsina, Zaria, Kano, Biram, Rano Gobir and Daura. The legendary Kusugu well in which the snake called Sarki was slain serves as a major tourist attraction in Daura. A sizeable number of migrants from southern Nigeria, especially the Yorubas and lgbos, are found and they dwell most ly in towns. [tab:Geography] Covering a total land mass of 24,192km, Katsina state is bounded in the east by Kano and Jigawa States, in the south by Kaduna state, in the west by Zamfara State and in the north by Niger Republic. Katsina State forms part of the extensive plains known as the High Plains of Hausaland.
The state can be classified into two zones in term of climate which are the tropical continental and semi arid continental. The south of the state (from Funtua to DutsimMa) belong to the former with total annual rainfall figures ranging from 1000mm around Funtua to over 800m around DutsimMa. The north of Katsina State (from around Kankia to the extreme northeast) has total rainfall figures ranging from 600700mm annually. Generally, climate varies considerably according to months and seasons. A cool dry (harmattan) season from December to February; a hot dry season from March to May; a warm wet season from June to September; a less marked season after rains during the months of October to November, characterised by decreasing rainfall and a gradual lowering of temperature.
Cities & Towns
Other important cities and towns include Katsina, Funtua, Daura, Bakori, Dutsi, Jibia, Bakori, and Zango. [tab:Attractions] Durbar Celebration: The Durbar reflects the state’s cultural and historical dignity. It is a significant royal display of horsemanship mainly organized to mark important occasions and Sallah festivities. The Durbar is characterized by royal horsemen, dances and gorgeous – horses, trumpeters led by the Shehu, Emirs, District heads and other traditional title holders as the case may be.
Katsina City Gate: Katsina city gate is a tourist attraction because of the wall that surrounds it with its seven different gates. The wall was built about 900 years ago during the reign of King Murabus.
Emir’s Palace, Daura: These palaces are tourist attractions because of their unique architectural structures. The palaces which were constructed with traditional building materials, depict northern Nigeria’s traditional architectural designs dated as far back as the early 19th Century.
Gobarau Minaret: The minaret which was said to have been built about 300 years ago was built of baked clay and mud and has been a thing of wonder to the inhabitants of the city. Legend has it that in those days, because of its height, it was used for surveillance purposes from where warriors could see enemies advancing on the ancient city.
Jibia Holiday Resort: Birnin Kudu is noted for the presence of rocks, fascinating are the ancient paintings on these rocks. The different paintings are eloquent information on the styles of the early settlers in the area.
Emir of Katsina Palace: The palace of Emir of Katsina is built in unique traditional architectural designs which attract tourists. It is decorated in white and green paints depicting national colours. The colourful festivities and Durbar on Salah days continue to attract thousands of tourists both within and outside the country.
Kusugu Well & Legendary Bayajida Sword: “Kusugu” is where a giant snake called “sarki” was killed with a sword by Bayajida in the 10th century AD because the snake only allowed Daura people then to draw water from the well once in a week. This heroic act by Bayajida made Daurama -the reigning queen of the time- to marry Bayajida who came from the middle east. The well and the sword are still intact and can be seen by tourists.
Katsina city Walls “Ganuwar Amina”: The wall in Katsina was built during the reign of Sarki Ali Murabus in the 15th century and seven gates associated with the wall are Kofar Yandaka, Kofar Guga, Kofar Kaura,Kofar Durbi, Kofar Sauri and Kofar Kwaya.
Old Katsina Teacher’s College: Built in 1922 with red-baked city mud and clay, this is the oldest teachers training college in the northern part of Nigeria and the college has produced prominent Nigerians like the late Prime Minister, Sir. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and the Late Premier of Northern Nigeria Alhaji Sir, Ahmadu Bello as well as many others.
Mairuwa & Ajiwa Holiday Resorts: The holiday resorts of Mairuwa and Ajiwa lakes sites in Funtua and Katsina have recreational facilities for water sports such as boating, fishing, swimming etc.
Dan marina Tomb: This is a grave of the celebrated saint Dan marina, the famous 17th to early 18th century scholar.
Durbi – Takusheyi Site
Chamah Park, Jibia [tab:Eating Out] Not yet posted [tab:Shopping] Not yet posted [tab:Hotels] Katsina Motel: Katsina motel is one of the Nigeria’s finest motels providing exclusive accommodations, attentive services and personalized amenities. The hotel is equipped with deluxe rooms and suits all fit into various flats and chalets within the complex, luxurious restaurant, a large and standard conference hall for business, meeting and other functions. Contact: No. 1 Mohammad Bashar, Road, GRA, Kastina. Tel: +234 706 8324 747, 807 0711 278
Liyafa Palace Hotel: Located in the heart of Katsina, the hotel combines traditional Arabic architecture with modernity, exquisitely decorated spacious rooms and suites, restaurants serving excellent local and exotic food and other facilities such as internet access, cable TV etc.Contact: Kano Road, Dandagoro, Near Katsina State Secretariat, Katsina. Tel: +2348035892183
Katsina Guest House: Katsina Guest House offers good accommodation with their well-equipped spacious rooms other facilities such as internet access, cable TV, air-conditioning, etc.Contact: 9, Nagogo Road, Katsina. Tel: +234 N/A
Jamil Hotel: Located in Funtua, Jamil Hotel has VIP, Luxury and Single rooms at affordable prices. The Restaurant is well equipped with modern facilities serving Local, English and Continental dishes. Address: is located at No. 62 Katsina Road, Funtua. Tel: +234 N/A [tab:Gallery] Not yet posted [tab:END]