The charm of Argungu Museum

Even the Encyclopaedia Britannica acknowledges the rich culture of the Argungu kingdom including the old structure, the Kanta Museum, which houses rich, pre-historic artefacts of the old Kebbi kingdom.

Tucked away in a town more famous for its fishing tradition, the Kanta Museum is the home of Argungu’s treasury and a citadel of history that is still preserved by the community in Kebbi State, in northwestern Nigeria.

Located in a part of Argungu called “old town” and adjacent to the main market is Kanta Museum. Built in 1831, the museum was named after Muhammed Kanta, a warrior who founded the Kebbi Kingdom in 1515 by conquering neighbouring kingdoms such as Kano, Katsina, Zazzau, Zamfara and Nupe, according to a rapturous history lecture from the acting curator, Muhammed Bello Musa.

Constructed by Yakubu Nabame, a former Emir of Kebbi, the museum was the emir’s palace until 1942 when the British, as colonial masters, insisted that a new palace be built for administrative purposes during the reign of Muhammed Sani. On July 1, 1958, the building was converted to a museum to house Argungu’s cultural heritage.

The ancient architectural beauty of the museum is maintained with minimal renovations and reconstruction. It retains its historic charm; and the view from outside is of ancient northern Nigerian structure and edifice.

The museum is divided into eleven compartments. The main entrance leads into the king’s court, also known as Majalisar Garagajiya, the centrepiece of which is the ancient throne of the Emirs of Argungu. The ancient throne, known as the Karaga, is preserved with the council seat; their various traditional designs and patterns remain intact.

The current Emir, Alhaji Samaila Mera, comes into the museum every Friday after the Jumat service to pay homage to his ancestors by sitting for a time on the ancient throne. Not surprising, since the museum also serves as a royal tomb; all past Emirs of Kebbi kingdom have been interred there. From Yakubu Nabame (who became the Sarkin Kebbi of Argungu in 1883), the storehouse of history and culture is also, at a basic level, a royal cemetery.

Adjoining the king’s court is the Kabi War Weapons Unit (Kabi is the Hausa pronunciation of Kebbi). Argungu arsenal relics are stored and preserved here. The weapons of past warfare, consisting of charms, spears, swords, wood, stones, bows and arrows and local guns, are displayed and hung in glistening glass showcases. Here, also, is a god said to have been brought to a war by Magaji Dankan, whose incantations were said to have poisoned the famous river Matan Fada for foreigners and enemies but left locals unharmed.

There are four original swords of immense value to Argungu’s history. The sword used by Kanta and the one he seized from his master are preserved alongside the judgement sword of Yakubu Nabame and that of Sama (son of Nabame, who fought a Sultan of Sokoto-led coalition, and was victorious). All are well labelled for visitors to read in English and in French.

A sword presented to Emir Muhammed Mera by Queen Elizabeth II when she visited the kingdom in 1956, also has pride of place in the Kanta Museum.

One uniquely interesting weapon is the “bante,” which is also very prominent in Yoruba weaponry. According to the museum’s curator, the warrior that bears the “bante” becomes invisible.

On the walls of the War Weapons Unit are evocative expressions telling various tales of past wars fought by the emirate.

In a standing exhibition glass are three ancient drums christened Drums of War. The drums symbolise the peak of the emirate’s strength, and are thus invaluable to its people’s heritage. The drums were said to have been seized from the Sokoto Caliphate in 1883 when the then Sultan of Sokoto led a coalition of Fulani and Hausa warriors to invade Kabi (Kebbi), and the latter won the battle against the more powerful caliphate.

Visitors are not allowed to take pictures of these drums, a pointer, perhaps, to their hallowed place in the tradition and history of Argungu.

“The drums of war were important in those days as they symbolised the symbol of authority and power,” said Muhammed Belo Musa, who is also the museum’s secretary.

In another unit of the museum, there were displays of local products of blacksmiths (Kira—the use of iron to produce war and farming implements), “white-smiths” (Kira faii—the use of aluminium for the production of household utensils). Also on display are products of mat weaving, cloth weaving and pottery (Girin tokanin). Beautiful pots of various sizes, designs and patterns are on display.

All in all, the Kanta Museum is a fascinating treasure house for those seeking a more reflective experience of Argungu and its environs.