Hausa cities were known as birni, “walled towns”, and their earthen walls (ganuwa) were as much a symbol as a defence. Kano’s circuit, traditionally credited to King Gijimasu and extended by his successors over several centuries, enclosed farmland and wells as well as houses, so that the city could survive a siege. Reported lengths range from roughly 14 to 20 km, with a dozen or more gates.
The walls impressed Frederick Lugard, who saw them in 1903 as the British took Kano. Today large stretches have disappeared under roads and housing, and only parts survive. Kano’s walls were placed on Nigeria’s tentative list for World Heritage nomination, and local volunteers and conservation groups have worked on repairs. We have not verified the percentage sometimes quoted for the lost sections, so we do not repeat it.
Sources for this article
- Unsigned overview (n.d.), section “The Degradation of the Kano City Walls” (outline; figures not repeated)