Kano Shut Down As Govt Declares Public Holiday For ‘Takutaha’

Thousands of Muslims yesterday trooped out to mark “Takutaha”, an annual Islamic event. It is held in the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar called Rabi’ul Awwal as the seventh day celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) which was held earlier on the 12th of the month.

Carnivals, praise music, colorful rallies, feasts, exchange of gifts and the climbing of the historic Dala Hill in Kano are all parts of the one-day ceremony.

Against this background, the state government declared yesterday as a public holiday to allow the people of the city to observe Takutaha.

Usually, Muslims have naming ceremonies on the seventh day after the birth of a child and it is on that day that the name of the child is made public. This is what is celebrated in honour of the Prophet of Islam at Takutaha.

The peak of the event for a lot of families and their friends is the large assembly on top of the Dala Hill where they eat and watch socio-religious entertainment and performances. The entire Kano could be seen from on top of the hill.

On the history of the event, Malam Saminu Ibrahim Umar, the Wakilin Babban Malami, told LEADERSHIP it started prior to the coming of Islamic religion to Kano.

The Hausa then worshipped and served spirits and demons. Islam came to ancient Kano several hundreds of years ago through trade activities with North Africa.

Prior to the advent of Islam, the people’s religion was ‘Maguzanci’ and the followers were called “Maguzawa”. It was said that there was a spirit that resided on top of the Dala Hill called Tsumburbura.

Tsumburbura used to be cared for by a strong man called Bargushe. He was said to be very strong such that he could fight with, and kill an elephant with his stick. It is only through him that offerings are made to Tsumburbura.

He accepts such offerings on the day of Takutaha on which he reveals to the people whether they would face disasters like famine, wars or diseases in the following year. The people strongly believe in the shrine as a spiritual support and protection.

During the reign of King Yaji Dan Tsamiya, the Tsumburbura shrine was attacked and demolished. King Yaji wanted total allegiance of the people and could not withstand sharing power with Tsumburbura and so he attacked Tsumburbura who was said to have escaped and left Kano through one of the ancient city gates of Kano called Kofar Ruwa.

King Yaji later embraced Islam and established the Islamic law in the land though there were still remnants of the Maguzawas existing and they continued with their beliefs and practices.

It was the Maguzawas that referred to Muslim converts and other Muslims who celebrated 19th of Rabiu Awwal of the Islamic calendar saying “Wagga idi takuta”, meaning “this celebration belongs to you Muslims”, hence the name Takutaha which is commemorated annually.