African History discussion

Egypt has officially announced that they have stopped using the US dollar in any form of trade

History has been made on the 12/12/2023 ♥️♥️♥️

The canonical er****on of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina and the Episcopal Ordination of Msgr. Gerald Mamman Musa as the First Bishop of Katsina Diocese were successfully, joyfully and solemnly done in Katsina state and at the Cathedral Venue St. Martin de Porres Catholic Cathedral on the 12th of December, 2023.

The first Hausa Bishop, Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa, was ordained in Katsina State. He hails from Argungu in Kebbi State. He was installed as the Bishop of the newly created Catholic Diocese of Katsina. Katsina Diocese covers the whole of Katsina State. It was carved out of Sokoto Diocese, which covers Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi States.

Scores of Bishops, Priests and Religious were present as well as hundreds of lay men, women, youths and children. The occasion marking the Ordination of an indigenous Hausa Catholic Priest as the first Catholic Bishop of the infant Diocese is a thing of very great joy. The brand new Diocese situated in core northern Nigeria needs to be supported spiritually, morally, financially and with other material assistance. To God be glory and praise!

Congratulations Most Rev Dr Gerald Mamman Musa, Bishop of Katsina Diocese
First Bishop of the New Katsina Diocese

Earlier when I saw this picture.... didn't understand the meaning behind it... .

It turns out that the cat has seen a snake's tail sticking out of a small hole and the cat thought that it was a rat's tail, so he wanted to pull it and tease it until it came out... .

Then I realized that... This photo is the work of the famous Italian illustrator Marco Melgrati,

the meaning of his painting: "You never know who you're playing with, without knowing the risks, because we are packed with today's qualities like ignorance, show-off, hard work, quick solutions etc.".

In today's fast & busy life, what we see is only a tiny fraction of the truth....

If we see others suffering of health closely, their lives burdens on others, chasing hope, counting days, away from joy of celebrations, away from charm & professionalism etc. etc.

What are we doing ?? We consider health conditions as rat's tail & never guess that the real cobra behind the wall.

So give priority to your health.
Never ignore your health conditions.
Don't play with cobra's tail by considering it as a rat's tail.
Finally, life does matter, so health is important.

Remember this picture: You can't see the whole picture. If you could see the whole picture, you would understand that what we think of small, is actually much bigger than us. Learn health secrets with Dr M. A. Chaudhary.

So let's take care of your health conditions & stay healthy.
Hopefully by sharing this you can help build awareness of wellbeing.

Health is the new luxury of this era...

Richest Churches In The World :

1- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints- $67.0 billon

2- Catholic Church - $30 billion +

3- Catholic Church Australia- $20.9 billion

4- Catholic Church Germany- $25.0 billion

5-Church of England $7.8 billion

6-Opus Dei (part of the Catholic Church) Italy- $2.8 billon

7-Church of Scientology- $2.0 billon

NOW OBSERVE THAT THERE IS NO.....

RCCG
Winners
Christ Embassy
Synagogue

No Pentecostal church at all

RICHEST PASTORS IN THE WORLD:
1 Bishop Oyedepo - $150 Million
2 Bishop TD Jakes - $147 Million
3 Pastor Chris Oyakhilome - $50 Million
4 Pastor Benny Hinn - $42 Million
5 Pastor Adeboye - $39 Million
6 Pastor Creflo Dollar - $27 Million (He used to be #1)
7 Pastor Kenneth Copeland - $25 Million
8 Evangelist Billy Graham - $25 Million
9 Prophet TB Joshua - $10 Million
10 Pastor Joseph Prince - $5 Million

Observe again that none of the 4 richest churches mentioned have their leaders on this list of the Richest Pastors.

The Pope is not there.
The Arch Bishop of Canterbury is not there.
The Bishop of Opus Dei is not there.
The Director of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is not there.

NOW OBSERVE AGAIN.

6 out of the 10 Richest Pastors are blacks with their congregation being predominantly black

4 out of the 10 richest Pastors have their churches in Nigeria, the poverty capital of the world, the 147th most corrupt nation of the world, the home to the second deadliest terrorist group, the most unsafe place to give birth to in the world

Observe as well that the Richest Churches are situated in

1- USA
2- Vatican City
3- England

These are amongst the safest, less corrupt and most prosperous Nations.

What a Paradox!! Jesus Christ fed the multitude, but in Nigeria the multitude feed the Men of God and General Overseers.

BBC Africa.

MILITARY COUP IN GABON 🇬🇦

Army officers have appeared on national television in Gabon🇬🇦 to say they have taken power.

They said they were annulling the results of Saturday's election, in which President Ali Bongo was declared the winner.

The electoral commission said Mr Bongo had won just under two-thirds of the votes in an election the opposition argued was fraudulent.

His overthrow would end his family's 53-year hold on power in Gabon🇬🇦.

Twelve soldiers appeared on television announcing they were cancelling the results of the election and dissolving "all the institutions of the republic".

One of the soldiers said on TV channel Gabon 24: "We have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime."

This, he added, was down to "irresponsible, unpredictable governance resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion that risks leading the country into chaos".

Mr Bongo came to power when his father Omar died in 2009.

In 2018, he suffered a stroke which sidelined him for almost a year and lead to calls for him to step aside.

The following year, a failed coup attempt saw mutinying soldiers sent to prison.

AfricaAfrican History discussionrAfrican History discussionsAfrican History discussionse follow this page 🙏🏾❤️

Hunger marches, suicides and surge of disgruntled dissidents are discrete reactions prompted by fuel deregulation. Similar reactions characterised Europe and America during the great economic depression (1929-1939) . The most disastrous economic breakdown caused by the collapse of American stock exchange market which later transmitted throughout the world through credit connections.
Why this striking similarities?

Everyone


Copied

These two areas of Africa have roughly equal populations.

Incase you don’t know why Nigeria is called GIANT of Africa.

“We have been receiving French aid for 63 years, yet our country has not developed, so cutting it off from us now will not kill us, rather it will motivate us to work and rely on ourselves.” - President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso 🇧🇫🇫🇷
________________________________________________
Meanwhile Great Britain has alot to explain to Nigerians as well. As per why the country has been underdeveloped since colonization.

Do these people have good intentions for us at all?

“Revolutions are never peace, ain’t nobody has ever voted 🗳️ their way to real freedom and independence.”

The emancipation of our minds that the great prophet Bob Jong Marley spoke of is in full effect, let’s us therefore emancipate ourselves from the shackles of the white man’s instruments of oppression, for it’s now or never 👎!

ECOWAS maintained its stand against the military government in Niger, even as it has directed immediate enforcement and monitoring of sanctions on the military junta.

The Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, says the regional bloc will continue to champion diplomacy and dialogue, as well as earnest discussions with all parties involved,

Mali 🇲🇱 has become the first former French colony beyond North Africa to DROP French as its official language.

Mansa Musa was a wealthy West African ruler who ruled a massive portion of the continent in the 14th century. According to researchers, Musa is considered to be the wealthiest person in history. Estimated to have been born in the year 1280 or so, Musa Keita I rose to lead the Mali Empire after the disappearance of his predecessor, Abubakari Keita II, presumably at sea.

Taking the title Mansa, which roughly translates to “King,” Musa began his 25-year rule in the year 1312. The sprawling lands that he controlled also contained portions of modern-day Gambia, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and other nations.

On a Pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 AD, Mansa Musa brought so much gold with him that his visit resulted in the collapse of gold prices in Egypt (kemet) & Arabia. It took 12 years for the economies of the region to normalize.

New petroleum price in Nigeria

Happy Africa day💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾

What is so special about your country

Tell us when your country get independent

Former Congo dictator Mobutu Seseseko’s mansion is now home to rats, bats, snakes and birds. Lesson to greedy rulers

This is the House of the former Zaire [now DRC] dictator, Field Marshal Mobutu Sese Seko Kukungbendu Wazabanga.
The magnificent structure constructed on a large expanse of land [equivalent to a minimal game park] was built in his home village called Gbadolite at the cost £100m.

It was considered the "epitome of decor and elegance" in Zaire and beyond. The super structure was decorated with Italian marble, Katangese high-karate gold plated doors and windows, Spanish floor tiles, automatic American air conditioning, Isreali state-of-the-art communication systems, king-size swimming pool, a private airport control tower, 3-4 inch bullet-proof glassware, 5 presidential suites, 6 Jacuzzis and surrounded by a mini game park full of all kinds of wildlife, including Indian tigers.

The structure, which at the time of Mobutu's death was ranked one of the most magnificent private castles ever owned by a sitting Head of State, is now home to wild rats, tropical snakes, gecko lizards, mega snails, scorpions, birds and thousands of wild insects.

Dictators should learn from this. Where are Mobutu’s kids to take over their father’s estate?

Pictures source: Zambezi Reporters
So shall it be for all leaders who looted public resources unless they change and return their loots to public coffers. Our hope is that one day the DRC gvt will renovate this structure and turn into into a public facility.

Share this for humanity's sake

EID MUBARAK TO ALL MUSLIM

Happy independence Day Zimbabwe !!!

Man with wisdom, African's with sense.

Man of the century

THE LIST OF ALL TRIBES IN NIGERIA

This list is impressive, but not scientific. Is there any tribe that is missing? Let me know in the comments section. Also tell us which is your tribe? Mine is Hausa.

1. Abayon Cross River State
2. Abua (Odual) Rivers State
3. Achipa (Achipawa) Kebbi State
4. Adim Cross River State
5. Adun Cross River State
6. Affade Yobe State
7. Afizere Plateau State
8. Afo Plateau State
9. Agbo Cross River State
10. Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk) Cross River State
11. Akweya-Yachi Benue State
12. Alago (Arago) Plateau State, Nasarawa State
13. Amo Plateau State
14. Anaguta Plateau State
15. Anang Akwa Ibom State
16. Andoni Akwa Ibom State, Rivers State
17. Angas Bauchi State, Plateau State
18. Ankwei Plateau State
19. Anyima Cross River State
20. Attakar (ataka) Kaduna State
21. Auyoka (Sub-Hausa) Jigawa State
22. Awori Lagos State, Ogun State
23. Ayu Kaduna State

24. Babur (Pabir)/Bura Adamawa State, Borno State, Taraba State, Yobe State
25. Bachama Adamawa State
26. Bachere Cross River State
27. Bada Plateau State
28. Bade Yobe State
29. Baggara Arabs Borno State
30. Bahumono Cross River State
31. Bakulung Taraba State
32. Bali Taraba State
33. Bambora (Bambarawa) Bauchi State
34. Bambuko Taraba State
35. Banda (Bandawa) Taraba State
36. Banka (Bankalawa) Bauchi State
37. Banso (Panso) Adamawa State
38. Bara (Barawa) Bauchi State
39. Barke Bauchi State
40. Baruba (Barba) Niger State
41. Bashiri (Bashirawa) Plateau State
42. Bassa Kaduna State, Kogi State, Niger State, Plateau State
43. Batta Adamawa State
44. Baushi Niger State
45. Baya Adamawa State
46. Bekwarra Cross River
47. Bele (Buli, Belewa) Bauchi State
48. Betso (Bete) Taraba State
49. Bette Cross River State
50. Bilei Adamawa State
51. Bille Adamawa State
52. Bina (Binawa) Kaduna State
53. Bini (Edo) Edo State
54. Birom Plateau State
55. Bobua Taraba State
56. Boki (Nki) Cross River State
57. Bokkos Plateau State
58. Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa) Niger State
59. Bole (Bolewa) Bauchi State, Yobe State
60. Botlere Adamawa State
61. Boma (Bomawa, Burmano) Bauchi State
62. Bomboro Bauchi State
63. Buduma Borno State,
64. Buji Plateau State
65. Buli Bauchi State
66. Bunu Kogi State
67. Bura/Babur (Pabir) Adamawa State, Borno State
68. Burak Bauchi State
69. Burma (Burmawa) Plateau State
70. Buru Yobe State
71. Buta (Butawa) Bauchi State
72. Bwall Plateau State
73. Bwatiye Adamawa State
74. Bwazza Adamawa State

75. Challa Plateau State
76. Chama (Chamawa Fitilai) Bauchi State
77. Chamba Taraba State, Adamawa State
78. Chamo Bauchi State
79. Chibok (Kibaku) Borno State, Yobe State
80. Chinine Borno State
81. Chip Plateau State
82. Chokobo Plateau State
83. Chukkol Taraba State

84. Daba Adamawa State
85. Dadiya Bauchi State
86. Daka Adamawa State
87. Dakarkari Kebbi State, Niger State
88. Danda (Dandawa) Kebbi State
89. Dangsa Taraba State
90. Daza (Dere, Derewa) Bauchi State
91. Degema Rivers State
92. Deno (Denawa) Bauchi State
93. Dghwede Borno State
94. Diba Taraba State
95. Doemak (Dumuk) Plateau State
96. Duguri Bauchi State
97. Duka (Dukawa) Kebbi State
98. Duma (Dumawa) Bauchi State

99. Ebana (Ebani) Rivers State
100. Ebira Edo State, Kogi State, Ondo State
101. Ebu Edo State, Kogi State
102. Ebu Edo State, Kogi State
103. Efik Cross River State
104. Egbema Rivers State
105. Egede (Igedde) Benue State
106. Eggon Plateau State
107. Egun (Gu) Lagos State, Ogun State
108. Ejagham Cross River State
109. Ekajuk Cross River State
110. Eket Akwa Ibom
111. Ekoi Cross River State
112. Ekpeye Rivers State
113. Engenni (Ngene) Rivers State
114. Epie Bayelsa State
115. Esan (Ishan) Edo State
116. Etche Rivers State
117. Etolu (Etilo) Benue State
118. Etsako Edo State
119. Etung Cross River State
120. Etuno Edo State

121. Palli Adamawa State
122. Fulani (Fulbe) Adamawa State, Bauchi State, Borno State, Jigawa State, Kaduna State, Kano State, Katsina State, Kebbi State, Kwara State, Niger State, Sokoto State, Taraba State, Yobe State, Gombe State, Plateau State
123. Fyam (Fyem) Plateau State
124. Fyer(Fer) Plateau State
125. Ga'anda Adamawa State
126. Gade Niger State
127. Galambi Bauchi State
128. Gamergu-Mulgwa Borno State
129. Qanawuri Plateau State
130. Gavako Borno State
131. Gbedde Kogi State
132. Gengle Taraba State
133. Geji Bauchi State
134. Gera (Gere, Gerawa) Bauchi State
135. Geruma (Gerumawa) Plateau State
136. Geruma (Gerumawa) Bauchi State
137. Gingwak Bauchi State
138. Gira Adamawa State
139. Gizigz Adamawa State
140. Goemai Plateau State
141. Gokana (Kana) Rivers State
142. Gombi Adamawa State
143. Gornun (Gmun) Taraba State
144. Gonia Taraba State
145. Gubi (Gubawa) Bauchi State
146. Gude Adamawa State
147. Gudu Adamawa State
148. Gure Kaduna State
149. Gurmana Niger State
150. Gururntum Bauchi State
151. Gusu Plateau State
152. Gwa (Gurawa) Adamawa State
153. Gwamba Adamawa State
154. Gwandara Kaduna State, Niger State, Plateau State
155. Gwari (Gbagi) Kaduna State, Kogi State, Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa State, Niger State, Plateau State
156. Gwong (Kagoma) Kaduna State
157. Gwom Taraba State
158. Gwoza (Waha) Borno State
159. Gyem Bauchi State

160. Ham (Hyam, Jaba, Jabba) Kaduna State
161. Hausa Bauchi State, Borno State, Jigawa State, Kaduna State, Kano State, Katsina State, Kebbi State, Niger State, Sokoto State, Taraba State, Zamfara State, Gombe State, Adamawa State, Plateau State
162. Holma Adamawa State
163. Hona Adamawa State

164. Ibeno Akwa Ibom State
165. Ibibio Akwa Ibom State
166. Ichen Adamawa State
167. Idoma Benue State, Cross River State, Kogi State, Nassarawa State
168. Igala Anambra State , Edo State , Enugu State, Kogi State
169. Igbo Abia State, Anambra State, Delta State, Ebonyi State, Enugu State, Imo State, Rivers State
170. Ijumu Kogi State
171. Ika Delta State, Edo State
172. Ikom Cross River State
173. Ikwerre Rivers State
174. Irigwe Plateau State
175. Isoko Delta State, Bayelsa State
176. Isekiri (Itsekiri) Delta State
177. Iyala (Iyalla) Cross River State
178. Izon (Ijaw) Bayelsa State, Delta State, Edo State, Ondo State, Rivers State

179. Jahuna (Jahunawa) Taraba State
180. Jaku Bauchi State
181. Jara (Jaar Jarawa Jarawa-Dutse) Bauchi State, Plateau State
182. Jere (Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa) Bauchi State, Plateau State
183 Taraba State
184. Jibu Adamawa State
185. Jidda-APlateau State
186. Jimbin (Jimbinawa) Bauchi State
187. Jirai Adamawa State
188. Jonjo (Jenjo) Taraba State
189. Jukun Bauchi State, Benue State, Plateau State, Taraba State

190. Kaba(Kabawa) Taraba State
191. Kadara Kaduna State, Niger State
192. Kafanchan Kaduna State
193. Kagoro Kaduna State
194. Kaje (Kache) Kaduna State
195. Kajuru (Kajurawa) Kaduna State
196. Kaka Adamawa State
197. Kamaku (Karnukawa) Kaduna State, Kebbi State, Niger State
198. Kambari Kebbi State, Niger State
199. Kambu Adamawa State, Taraba State
200. Kanakuru (Dera) Adamawa State, Borno State
201. Kanembu Borno State
202. Kanikon Kaduna State
203. Kantana Plateau State
204. Kanuri Adamawa State, Borno State, Taraba State, Yobe State, Bauchi State, Gombe State, Jigawa State
205. Karekare (Karaikarai) Bauchi State, Yobe State
206. Karimjo Taraba State
207. Kariya Bauchi State
208. Katab (Kataf) Kaduna State
209. Kenern (Koenoem) Plateau State
210. Kenton Taraba State
211. Kiballo (Kiwollo) Kaduna State
212. Kilba Adamawa State
213. Kirfi (Kirfawa) Bauchi State
214. Koma Taraba State
215. Kona Taraba State
216. Koro (Kwaro) Kaduna State, Niger State
217. Kubi (Kubawa) Bauchi State
218. Kudachano (Kudawa) Bauchi State
219. Kugama Taraba State
220. Kulere (Kaler) Plateau State
221. Kunini Taraba State
222. Kurama Kaduna State
223. Kurdul Adamawa State
224. Kushi Bauchi State
225. Kuteb Taraba State
226. Kutin Taraba State
227. Kwalla Plateau State
228. Kwami (Kwom) Bauchi State
229. Kwanchi Taraba State
230. Kadung Bauchi State, Plateau State
231. Kwaro Plateau State
232. Kwato Plateau State
233. Kyenga (Kengawa) Kebbi State

234. Laaru (Larawa) Niger State
235. Lakka Adamawa State
236. Lala Adamawa State
237. Lama Taraba State
238. Lamja Taraba State
239. Lau Taraba State
240. Limono Bauchi State, Plateau State
241. Lopa (Lupa, Lopawa) Niger State
242. Longuda (Lunguda) Adamawa State, Bauchi State

243. Mabo Plateau State
244. Mada Kaduna State, Plateau State
245. Mama Plateau State
246. Mambilla Adamawa State
247. Manchok Kaduna State
248. Mandara (Wandala) Borno State
249. Manga (Mangawa) Yobe State
250. Margi (Marghi) Adamawa State, Borno State
251. Matakarn Adamawa State
252. Mbembe Cross River State, Enugu State
253. Mbol Adamawa State
254. Mbube Cross River State
255. Mbula Adamawa State
256. Mbum Taraba State
257. Memyang (Meryan) Plateau State
258. Miango Plateau State
259. Miligili (Migili) Plateau State
260. Miya (Miyawa) Bauchi State
261. Mobber Borno State
262. Montol Plateau State
263. Moruwa (Moro'a, Morwa) Kaduna State
264. Muchaila Adamawa State
265. Mumuye Taraba State
266. Mundang Adamawa State
267. Munga (Lelau) Taraba State
268. Munga (Mupang) Plateau State
269. Mupun Plateau State
270. Mushere Plateau State
271. Mwahavul (Mwaghavul) Plateau State
272. Ndoro Taraba State
273. Ngas Plateau State
274. Ngizim Yobe State
275. Ngweshe (Ndhang.Ngoshe-Ndhang) Adamawa State, Borno State
276. Nyam Taraba State
277. Ningi (Ningawa) Bauchi State
278. Ninzam (Ninzo) Kaduna State, Plateau State
279. Njayi Adamawa State
280. Nkim Cross River State
281. Nkum Cross River State
282. Nokere (Nakere) Plateau State
283. Nunku Kaduna State, Plateau State
284. Nupe Kogi State, Kwara State, Niger State
285. Nyandang Taraba State
286. Ododop Cross River
287. Ogori Kogi State
288. Ogoni Akwa Ibom State, Rivers State
289. Ogba Rivers State
290. Okobo (Okkobor) Akwa Ibom State
291. Okpamheri Edo State
292. Okpe Edo State
293. Olulumo Delta State
294. Olukumi Delta State
295. Oron Akwa Ibom State
296. Owan Edo State
297. Owe Kogi State
298. Oworo Kogi State

299. Pa'a (Pa'awa Afawa) Bauchi State
300. Pai Plateau State
301. Panyam Taraba State
302. Pero Bauchi State
303. Pire Adamawa State
304. Pkanzom Taraba State
305. Poll Taraba State
306. Polchi Habe Bauchi State
307. Pongo (Pongu) Niger State
308. Potopo Taraba State
309. Pyapun (Piapung) Plateau State

310. Qua Cross River State

311. Rebina (Rebinawa) Bauchi State
312. Reshe Kebbi State, Niger State
313. Rindire (Rendre) Plateau State
314. Rishuwa Kaduna State
315. Ron Plateau State
316. Rubu Niger State
317. Rukuba Plateau State
318. Rumada Kaduna State
319. Rumaya Kaduna State

320. Sakbe Taraba State
321. Sanga Bauchi State
322. Sate Taraba State
323. Saya (Sayawa Za'ar) Bauchi State, Kaduna State, Plateau State
324. Segidi (Sigidawa) Bauchi State
325. Shanga (Shangawa) Kebbi State
326. Shangawa (ShanKadunagau) Plateau State
327. Shan-Shan Plateau State
328. Shira (Shira) Bauchi State
329. Shomo Taraba State
330. Shuwa Adamawa State, Borno State, Kaduna State, Yobe State
331. Sikdi Plateau State
332. Siri (Sirawa) Bauchi State
333. Srubu (Surubu) Kaduna State
334. Sukur Adamawa State
335. Sura Plateau State

336. Tangale Gombe State
337. Tarok Plateau State, Taraba State
338. Teme Adamawa State
339. Tera (Terawa) Bauchi State, Borno State, Gombe State
340. Teshena (Teshenawa) Kano State
341. Tigon Taraba State
342. Tikar Taraba State
343. Tiv Benue State, Plateau State, Taraba State
344. Tula Gombe State
345. Tur Adamawa State

346. Ubbo Adamawa State
347. Ufia Benue State
348. Ukelle Cross River State
349. Ukwani (Kwale) Delta State
350. Uncinda Kaduna State, Kebbi State, Niger State ,
351. Uneme (Ineme) Edo State
352. Ura (Ula) Niger State
353. Urhobo Delta State
354. Utonkong Benue State
355. Uyanga Cross River State

356. Vemgo Adamawa State
357. Verre Adamawa State
358. Vommi Taraba State

359. Wagga Adamawa State
360. Waja Gombe State, Bauchi State
361. Waka Taraba State
362. Warja (Warja) Bauchi State
363. Warji Bauchi State
364. Wula Adamawa State
365. Wurbo Adamawa State
366. Wurkun Taraba State
367. Yache Cross River State
368. Yagba Kogi State
369. Yakurr (Yako) Cross River State
370. Yalla Benue State
371. Yandang Adamawa State, Taraba State
372. Yergan (Yergum) Plateau State
373. Yoruba Ekiti State, Kogi State, Kwara State, Lagos State, Ogun State, Ondo State, Osun State, Oyo State
374. Yott Taraba State
375. Yumu Niger State
376. Yungur Adamawa State
377. Yuom Plateau State

378. Zabara Niger State
379. Zaranda Bauchi State
380. Zarma (Zarmawa) Kebbi State
381. Zayam (Zeam) Bauchi State
382. Zul (Zulawa) Bauchi State

©

The danger is that if we invest too much in developing AI and too little in developing human consciousness, the very sophisticated artificial intelligence of computer might only serve to empower the natural stupidity of humans.

~ Yuval Noah Harari

Machina Emirate: Where Snakes Pay Homage To King

Snakes are generally seen as dangerous reptiles, but in Machina Emirate, Yobe State, they are revered. Here, it is believed that royal blood runs in their veins. In fact, they consistently pay homage to the Mai Machinama palace, where their ancestor was born, together with one of their ancestral kings, as twins.

According to history, a queen gave birth to twins in the palace, a human being and a snake. Being a snake, it couldn’t stay long with its mother, thus, it found its way into the rocks behind the emir’s palace. It is said that its descendants still enjoy all the privileges that come with royalty.

It is also believed that, just like the Machina Emirate, the forebear of the snake procreated kings, queens and princesses that were of equal status with their relatives in the kingdom.

Corroborating the story, the Emir of Machina (Mai Machinama), His Royal Highness, Dr. Bashir Albishir Bukar (OON), said the snake started its generation like regular human family immediately after it went into the rocks.

“Since then, their lineage has continued, just like human beings. I am the 77th Mai Machinama, so there must be one snake that has attained the same position in their kingdom,’’ he said.
Bukar revealed that during his father’s installation as emir, many snakes came out and gathered at the palace entrance and socialised with people without causing any harm.

He recalled a mysterious encounter the snakes had with the media crew that came to cover the event. Out of curiosity, some of the journalists attempted to photograph the snakes, but the moment they fixed their cameras on them, they got out of sight.

“After the futile struggle, they all gave up and went back with miraculous stories to tell. It is only by our acceptance that one can get their pictures. Our children snapped pictures of the snakes within the palace because they consider them as their brothers,” he said.

Speaking on how they relate with the snakes, the emir said they occasionally come together as a family to share moments of happiness or sorrow.
“When I was turbaned, there were old snakes at the occasion, just like the young ones usually come to the palace whenever my wives are giving birth. So we are doing everything together with them in this palace.

“When I married my younger wife, a snake came to the house and spent more than a week. The guests were afraid, but I assured them that it would not harm anybody. In the morning, it would come out and spread itself on the wall, then varnish in the afternoon. It would do the same thing in the evening and varnish. Initially, my bride was afraid, but she later became used to it. So the snakes are our brothers; they don’t harm anybody in Machina.

“As I sit here, a snake could come and curl under my chair. I feel happy seeing them around. But each time I see them around, I will pray and hope it’s for good because something will definitely happen. Whenever my wives are about giving birth, you will see the young snakes coming out, a sign that something is going to happen,’’ he said.

One of the courtiers in the palace told our correspondent that one of the princes usually sleeps in the same bed with a snake. “Each time he goes to sleep and finds a snake in his bed, he will just push it aside and sleep alongside it,’’ he said.

Our correspondent also learnt that in Machina Emirate, killing of snake is forbidden because they are considered as having royal blood. The snakes don’t harm anybody; however, they retaliate when someone tries to harm them.

The Emir of Machina gave many instances when people disobeyed the protection law and persecuted the snakes and eventually paid dearly with their lives. It has become a norm in Machina that every visitor must be educated that snakes are not harmful and must not be harmed.

“I will give you three examples. There was a snake charmer who came to Machina. One night, a snake came out and his people started shouting. People said he should allow it because it would go its own way, but the snake charmer insisted that it was a dangerous creature, so he tried to kill it. He thought that as a snake charmer he had the medicine to do whatever he wanted, When he followed the snake, trying to step on it, it reacted and attacked him. He was rushed to his master’s house to get an anti-venom medicine, but he eventually died in the toilet while trying to bath with the concoction. Sadly, the snake also died.

“Also, there was a truck driver from another town who came to Machina to drive my father’s truck. He came with his first wife and married a second one in this place. One evening, a snake came into their house and the first wife, who is not from Machina, shouted. Her husband rushed in from outside, looking for the snake, but the woman from Machina told them not to bother, saying it would leave without harming anybody. But their husband said he would not stay with a dangerous creature in the house. The first wife pointed to a hole where the snake hid and the first wife boiled water and assisted the husband to pour it into the hole. Miraculously, the woman, who was pregnant, gave birth to a baby girl with features of a snake. She used to crawl like a snake. I knew the girl when I was young; if you heard her speak you would think she was a complete human being, but if you saw her, she was just terrible. She couldn’t walk, so her parents used to carry her in a basin until she grew up to the age of 18 when she died,’’ he narrated.

The emir further narrated that his father had a farm nearby, so servants and other people in the community went to assist him to clear it. A snake came out and people started shouting, As the snake crawled along the way, a stubborn youth killed and threw it on a termite hole.

“You know, during the onset of the rainy season, termites would come out en masse with grains. As the man threw the snake on the anthill, surprisingly, all the ants went back to their hole and none of them came out. In the evening, the young man’s house became filled with snakes. The man metamorphosed into a snake-like creature and started crawling, hissing and became terribly sick.

“Later, the young man was taken to the emir’s palace where clerics gathered. They prayed and he survived that day, but it became a seasonal sickness he suffered until his death.

These are just few examples I can give. That is why we don’t kill snakes here,’’ he added.
Asked if he had ever played or eaten with snakes, he said, “At times I personally rescue them, especially when they fall into a ditch. But my son was telling me that sometimes he would sleep with a snake in the same bed.

“In the olden days, there was a place we used to put milk for them.
If we made sacrifices we threw it around the area, believing that they would use it. But we don’t eat or play that much with them,’’ he explained.

When asked if there was any form of provocation between them and the snakes at any time, the emir said, “No. But there was a time when the perimeter fence of the palace collapsed, and in the course of rebuilding it, they forgot to leave a hole where the snakes used as passage to the palace. An hour later, the wall collapsed, they rebuilt it and the concrete collapsed again. Then one of the courtiers observed that a hole that the snakes were using to enter the palace was blocked. They turned the blocks and made some holes there before the wall stood.’’

Credit; Daily Trust