By Prof Sani Abubakar Lugga
MANI DISTRICT
Mani is an ancient town and one of the oldest fiefdoms in Katsina which was believed to have been built by a man called “Mani Shaya” around 1610 AC. The district title had been, until recently, that of “Durbin Katsina and was associated with “Durbi-Ta-Kusheyi, a village believed to be the seat of the earliest Katsina ruling dynasties.
In the aftermath of the overthrow of the Habe dynasty by the 1804 Jihadists, Malam Ibrahim gained control of the area and was proclaimed the first Fulani Head of the fiefdom with the old Hausa traditional title of “Durbi”. He was succeeded by Durbi Saddiku son of Ummarun Dallaji, followed by Durbi Fandiku, then Durbi Gidado (father of Sarkin Katsina Muhammadu Dikko). Gidado was succeeded by Durbi Yero (later Sarkin Katsina Yero), then Durbi Sada (Sarki Dikko’s uncle), who was in turn succeeded by Durbi Muhammadu Dikko.
Durbi Muhammadu Sani Gidado (son of Sarkin Katsina Muhammadu Dikko) succeeded his father and ruled from 1907-1937. Durbi Muhammadu was succeeded by his brother Durbi Ummaru (1937 1965). Durbi Usman Liman took over the title in 1965 but without the District
Isa headship of Mani. In the same year, Mallam Isa Maishanu son of Durbi Ummaru succeeded to the Mani throne with the title of “Sarkin Gabas” On the death of Durbi Usman Liman the title reverted to Durbi Isa. His Son, Sanusi Isa succeeded to the Durbi throne. On the death of Durbi Sanusi, his brother, Alhaji Babani Isa, Succeeded him with the title of Sarkin Gabas.MASHI DISTRICT
The town of Mashi was built by a man called Bako, from Daura, around 1700 AC. After overthrowing the Habe dynasty in 1804, Mashi Danranko was turbaned as the first Fulani Head of the fiefdom.
In 1908, Sarkin Katsina Muhammadu Dikko turbaned Mallam Zakari as District Head of Mashi with the title of “Iyan Katsina”. In 1923 Abubakar Dogo was turbaned as Mashi District Head with the title of “Sarkin Gabas”. In 1928, Sarkin Gabas Ummaru (son of Muhammadu Dikko) succeeded to the throne and he was succeeded by Mashi” Abdullahi Dan Yero, followed by Mashi” Dandada.
When Mallam Ibrahim, a pioneer student of Katsina College, a veteran teacher and son of Iya Zakari ascended to the throne in 1908, he was turbaned as “Sarkin Gabas” He but later the title was changed to Tyan Katsina”. voluntarily retired from the post in 1968. He was succeeded by his son Aminu Ibrahim with the title of Sarkin Gabas”, but was also later changed to Tyan Katsina”. Before, his turbaning, Iya Aminu had served as his father’s scribe and Wakili” from 1953 – 1967, he died in 1999. He was succeeded by his son, Alhaji Kabir Aminu, who was hitherto, a Bank Manager.
