Sarauta
| History of Northern Nigeria |
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Sarauta is a Hausa political system that originated in the ancient city-state of Daura (in present-day Katsina State). According to Hausa oral traditions, the sarauta system emerged around the year 1000 and gradually spread across Hausaland, evolving into a complex network of institutions and values that came to dominate the Hausa states by the 15th-century.[1][2]
The system is characterised by a hierarchical structure, with the sarki (king or chief) at the top. The sarki's power is influenced by factors such as their individual character, political influence of aristocratic titleholders, domestic and external allies, and general social, economic, and political conditions. Although the office of sarki is hereditary, there is also an "electoral college" of eligible male descendants of ruling dynasties who can contest to become the sarki. Other important institutions of sarauta include a governing council composed of senior aristocrats with various titles and junior aristocrats often affiliated to senior aristocrats in patron-client relationships. There are also low-level palace personnel, including court jesters, royal musicians, messengers, enforcement agents, courtiers, heads of occupational groups, and Muslim clerics.[1]
The Sokoto Caliphate, which ruled much of Hausaland throughout the 19th-century, significantly influenced sarauta political institutions. The leaders of the Sokoto jihad sought to reform sarauta by aligning it more closely with Islamic principles of governance. They criticised practices such as hereditary succession, taxation systems, and the perceived neglect of religious precepts, advocating instead for a governance model rooted in Islamic ideals. Despite these efforts, many pre-existing political traditions and structures persisted, as the jihad did not entirely dismantle the sarauta system.[1][2]
The British adopted sarauta-emirates as the foundation of indirect rule in Northern Nigeria, integrating many traditional institutions into the colonial administration. However, they also introduced significant changes, such as replacing aristocratic appointments with a modern bureaucracy and establishing technical departments. Loyalty to the British Crown and adherence to a bureaucratic ethos became prioritised over traditional sarauta values. The British frequently intervened in the selection of emirs, often disregarding traditional criteria, and granted emirs greater territorial authority than they had wielded in the pre-colonial era.[1][2]
The sarauta system continued to evolve during the period of decolonisation and the formation of political parties in Nigeria. These changes posed new challenges to the system as it had to adapt to the demands of democracy. Traditional political norms of deference to hierarchy, longevity in office, and holding power were seen as having a negative influence on political opposition. Although formal governance has largely moved away from sarauta institutions, their influence remains deeply embedded in the political and cultural landscape of Northern Nigeria.[1][2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Umar, Muhammad S (2013). "Hausa Traditional Political Culture, Islam, and Democracy: Historical Perspectives on Three Politcal Traditions". Democracy and prebendalism in Nigeria: Critical Interpretations. Internet Archive. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 178–197. ISBN 978-1-137-28076-3.
- ^ a b c d Ikara, Bashir; Ajayi, J. F. Ade (Jacob Festus Ade); Kaduna State (Nigeria). Council forArts and Culture (1985). Evolution of political culture in Nigeria : proceedings of a national seminar organized by the Kaduna State Council for Arts and Culture. Internet Archive. Ibadan : University Press and Kadana State Council for Arts and Culture. pp. 118–145. ISBN 978-0-19-575865-8.