I’ve always been curious about the ancient gates in Kano state Nigeria and want to know why they are build. So today i asked a friend of mine who is an indigene of Kano state to brief me about the history of the ancient gates.
He said the ancient Kano city gates known as Kofa (gates) in Hausa language were built over 1,000 years ago in the 11th century and are opening of the ancient walls built during the reign of King Gijimasu to prevent enemies and the armies of empires that were in search of inferior states to expand and increase their royalties, from penetrating Kano city but it sadden that almost all the walls are gone due to human encroachment, collapse and natural factors. The ancient city gates were used as official places to receive dignitaries, wayfarers, merchants, farmers, herders, hunters among others and were usually open in the morning and close in the evening by the gatekeeper known as Sarkin Kofa (king of gate). Over the years the needs to lock the gates no longer existed as the city has spilled beyond the gates that bounded it.
However, the gates were rebuilt over the years to let in vehicles and cars.
I found this history amazing which i felt it will be nice to share the history of the ancient gates of Kano State Nigeria for people to know more about it.
Today there are fifteen ancient gates in Kano state Nigeria but i was able to snapped the nearest seven.