By Henry Akubuiro
The arrival of the British in northern Nigeria in the late 18th century gradually introduced some changes in the traditional administrative setup, including Biu Kingdom, notes Dr. Bukar Usman in the third section of A History of Biu. Yamtarawala, the Kanuri prince, who founded the Biu Kingdom in the 16th century, came from an Islamic, Ngazagarmu background. The post-Yamtarawala era in Biu was, thus, a mixture of traditional and Islamic administrative constitution. But Biu had to accept British indirect rule because of its promises of free cultural expression and to avoid brutal military repercussions witnessed elsewhere in the north.
A History of Biu informs us that Mai Garga Kwamting, the king of Biu, was the one the British met on the throne. He was to be converted to a 3rd Grade Chief in 1908, four years after he had moved the capital of Biu Kingdom from Pelaminta to Biu, a move that coincided with the beginning of formal British rule over the kingdom.
We are educated by Usman on the creation of the curiously named Pagan Division in 1914, comprising independent districts of Biu, Fika and Bedde (now in Yobe State) and the creation of Biu Division in 1918 as a formal administrative unit. The author records that 1918 was a watershed in modern Biu evolution, as the tempo of road construction accelerated, Western education began in Biu town and the Chief of Biu was promoted to a 2nd Class Grade.
Another landmark year chronicled in this book is the year, 1920, when Sir Hugh Clifford, the Governor of Northern Nigeria, and his lieutenant, H.W. Goldsmith, made their first joint high-level visit to Biu. A year later, Shani in Adamawa Province was transferred to the Biu Division.
It must be noted that, in 1920, Mai Ari Dogo, the Kuthli of Biu, was promoted and was officially designated the Emir of Biu, therefore, changing his domain’s name from Biu Kingdom to Biu Emirate. He was the 24th Kuthli of Biu at that particular time.
Usman explains: “Kuthli is the Babur/Bura word for Chief and this is the word used for most Chiefs in the area, such as those of Biu, Mandaragrau, Wuyo, and Wawa.
Subsequent titles, such as Mai (Kanuri for Chief, a Yamtarawala import) and Emir came later.”
A History of Biu is hard to put down, be warned, because there are so many tissues of history unknown about an important African civilsation and modern evolution that are not included in typical African history, which Usman has painstakingly unearthed for posterity. Even if the author doesn’t write any other book of history, A History of Biu is up there among the best in terms of in-depth chronicles and revelatory ligaments of African history, different from rehashes of familiar ancient past.
A History of Biu is down to earth on the workings of the tiers of Indirect Rule System and the constitution of Biu Native Authority. According to the author: “Establishment of colonial administration went hand in hand with the establishment of the traditional system of administration, the integration of which via the Native Authorities of the Divisional administrations, constituted the Indirect Rule System.” The author also juxtaposes native authority administration with what obtained in Southern Nigeria.
Everything you need to know about Biu city, districts and local government areas is contained in Section D of the book. Biu Emirate has a teeming number of educated people, thanks to the coming of Western education in 1918, three years after it started in Maiduguri, when Mr. GC Whitely, the Assistant District Officer superintending Biu area, started a school for adults. And: “people wholeheartedly embraced Western education and have made extraordinary progress in it” (p.339) as enumerated subsequently.
Another amazing thing the author has done with this book is to offer the reader a gateway into the economy of Biu Emirate. In this agrarian society where farming holds sway, Usman highlights what an average farmer does for a living and the roles of local industries, the latter consisting of beeswax production around Wuyo, gin brewing (burukutu) in nearly all non-muslim households; and brick-making.
If you are wondering why there is so much religious tolerance in Biu Emirate, the author saves you from needless guesswork: “In religious terms, the lifestyle of the people of Biu Emirate is simple. Much of the traits were embedded in the traditional setting which encouraged peaceful co-existence and respect for the other person’s belief system. The influence of Islam and Christianity on the people of the Emirate has further shaped the way Biu people interact among themselves, as well as with other people” (p.416).
Above all, A History of Biu highlights the tourist potentials of the emirate, from the natural wonders of its hills, valleys and plain lands. The bowl-shaped Tilla Lake and the imposing Tilla Hill at Kwaya Bura are among the first port of call for anybody visiting Biu Emirate. Needless to say, in Viukuthla, there is plenty of history collected in its royal burial site dating back to hundreds of years!