By M.T.Safana,JakadanSafana,Bebejin Kalgo [email protected]
HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS
Ruma Tsohuwa was founded in 1744 by Jangizo of Yar-barba, he appointed the first Sarkin Ruma Ahamed who originally came from Rum in Abbyssinia. Ahmed called the placeRumaafterhisbirthtown. At that time, it was considerably larger district than it is at present but in continual wars againstthe Maradiof bothKatsina andSokoto, rumabeingthe bufferstate much ofthe outer land was lost. Also a great number ofpeople fled or were enslaved, and when the british came, specifically in 1912, theland was politically depopulated. Since theadvent of the British when war stopped, the population was seen to increase.
GEANEOLOGY In 1711, Ahamed went from Rum (Abbysinia) to Misra (Egypt) with his two sons Hassan and Hussaini, hestayed there for four years and in 1715, went to Azbin (which isnowa french territory in the north of Nigeria). He stayed there for nine years, in 1724 he came to Nigeria and stayed in Gezar Karbai (in Maradi) for three years. In 1727, he left and came to Ruma district as it is now. But at this time, the sarauta of the land which was then known as Yarbarba was a man called Jangizo. Ahmed stayed and helped Jangizo, and because of this, jangizo appointed him sarauta Gatari and built him a town (now Ruma Tsohuwa). in 1744 Jangizo died and Ahmed was elected sarki. On his appointment he said that the land should be called Ruma, after his birth place.He then appointed his son Hussaini the sarauta of Gatari. In 1762, Ahmed died and Hussaini became sarki, a post which he kept for twelve years, having three sons; Muhammadu, AbduandJanbiri. In 1774 Muhammadu became sarki and he had 4 sons; Abdulrahman, Abubakar, Ahmadu and Faskari. After 25 years in office, Muhammadu died, and in 1799 Faskari too kover the postand had 3 sons; Abdullahi, Abdu Muhammaand Muhammadu, faskari died in 1829 and Abdullahi became sarki, he had six sons; Dikko, Abu dan marafa, Muhammadu Gurshi, Mazadu, Bacire and wakaso. At this time war swereri feand the brothers scattered, some went to kano, some to zamfara. Abdullahi, the eldest went to the land of Maradi and stayed at Fatotuwa where he died in 1848.Muhammadu gurshi went to kano and dikko his brother introduced him to Sarkin Kano who made him sarauta of danwere. In 1884 when Habe wars broke outGurshi assisted sarkin Kano, but on thier return Galadiman Kano told sarkin kano that gurshi had betrayed him. Sarkin kano angry at this relieved him of his post and put him in chains, from which it is said he escaped leaving his family fled to katsina in 1896. Sarkin katsina embraced him and made him sarauta Mashi and then in 1898 kankiya. In 1900, Gurshi went to Sarkin Musulmi and asked for his permission to go to the land of his Grandfather. After Killing Sarkin gobir in a battle, Sarkin Musulmi agreed and appointed him Sarkin Yaki and then Gurshi returned to Katsina and and was sent to Ruma in 1901. He had many children, Abubakar, shehu, Masha’awa, sule,Mamman, Halilu, Yahaya, Isa, Abdulaziz, Almu, Iro, Aminu and Hamza. He had this post in 1912 when the British took it away, deposed him and appointed his son Abubakar. He was sarkin Ruma for thirty three years and had sons Abdu, Zubairu, Muazu, Muhammadu, Dahiru, Sani, Tukur, Shuaibu, Iro, Dalha, Hasan Alo, Mamman Shehu, and Hassan. In 1945 Muazu was Appointed and was sarki at the present time of this account having six sons then; Yusifu, Lawal, Shehu, Abu, Iro, and Tukur.
M.T Safana is a Director General of Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency
