U14MM2067
Brief History of Kutigi
Kutigi, a town from Lavun local government area of Niger
state, is a Nupe speaking community. The major occupation of the people is
farming, fishing and trading, the chief head of the town is known as Ezonuwa.
Historically, the people of Kutigi originated from Kukawa in
Borno state, when the left Kukawa in search of good pasture for their animal,
under the leadership of Maina Abu-Bakr the Zanna of Kukawa.(1750-1791). They
arrived at the present day Kutigi during the reign of Etsu (emir) Muazu of Jima
(1759-1960).
The Kukawa people who
founded the present Kutigi established their own system of administration under
Islamic culture. They were popularly known as Benu by the Nupes because of
their notable Kanuri tribal marks. Zanna the chieftaincy title head was adopted
as Zonuwa by the Nupes.
Normally the Zonuwa will travel to Kukawa to be turbaned as
Zonuwa until the third Zonuwa Suleiman who was to be turbaned died accidentally
on his journey to Kukawa. From there, the
Shehu of Kukawa sent a letter to the turban which solved the problem of the
long distance between Kutigi and Kukawa in far away Borno State.
Gani festival is celebrated by the people of Kutigi and its
environs. It attracts people from all
parts of the country, and it is celebrated within three days. It commenced with
drummers dancing to the palace of Ezonuwa for confirmation of the event. The second
day starts from 2pm till sunset. All the mature youths (male) take flags made
of scarves donated by the girls in the town and move around the town with
drummers. It is the most exciting day in Kutigi as dancing and singing is a
signal to all the guests and Kutigi people that Gani festival commences.
Among various events are horse riding, cultural music etc. The
horse riders end at a place called Tako Tsowako close to a river, where they
tie their flag. After that, they ride to the town stadium where the occasion is
taking place. Everybody gathers there, the dignitaries from far and near,
including the sons and daughters of the soil are hosted and entertained with
different cultural dancers and mouth watering dishes.
The first groups that move to the stage are Ndako gboya
masquerade to perform a cleansing ride of purifying the community of all evils.
Then followed by the entrance of the Zanna and his royal council, that marks
the beginning of the traditional events. On this day, the Kutigi people always
put on their best, the married men wear kaftans, and a piece of wrapper on
their necks to signify the importance of their wives in every area of their
lives. The events are crowned up with prayers of blessing to all present at the
occasion by the elders.
The third day marks the end of the festival with a local
wrestling. The prince and princess of the Gani sit and watch the wrestling. The
event ends at sunset. The festival is very important in the lives of Kutigi
people because it fosters unity among them. It also serves as avenue to settle
disputes among aggrieved families.
Subhan'Allah.
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