The Ancient walls of Kano.

Kano is one of the three largest cities in West Africa with a rich culture. The city of Kano has long been an economic hub with its international trade market. In 1095, according to the chronicles of Kano, Sarki Gijimasu, the third king began The construction of the Ancient Kano City Wall’s foundation. But the wall will see it’s completion during the reign of Zamnagawa after 300 years. The wall was also expanded to it’s current position during another 200 years period. The Ancient wall has been described as "the most impressive monument in West Africa," ?It was originally constructed as a defensive wall to protect Kano inhabitants and control the movement of people in and out of Kano. The Wall is a 14km radius earth structure and has gates as old as the wall itself. The site bear testimony to local craftsmanship and ingenuity as is evidenced in the materials used for the construction of the walls and palace.

Each of the gates had a gatekeeper assigned to it. The gatekeepers known as (Sarkin Kofar) had houses provided for them and their families around the gate. A very important function of the gatekeepers was to alert the King of incoming dangers like an army invading the city.?

In 1903, after British forces captured Kano, the then General-Governor of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, Fredrick Lugard, wrote in a report about the wall the? “The extent and formidable nature of the fortifications surpassed the best-informed anticipations of our officers, needless to say, that I have never seen or even imagined anything like it in Africa.”?

In 1959, the walls of Kano were declared as a National Monument and are now one of UNESCO’S world heritage sites.

Sadly today, due to westernization the wall has been left to degrade. Even now, some of the sections of the wall and it’s gates have been demolished to make room for a road expansion and reconstruction. The remains of the wall are now at the mercy of the elements.?

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