Legend of Haruna Kundila, the wealthiest man in Kano Pre Colonial era
Throughout its history, Kano State has been a trading and important commercial centre. History has shown that Kano State has produced quite a number of wealthy individuals whose names will remain for centuries to come.
The ability of Kano and Kanawa to create wealthy individuals did not start in this modern era. The like of Madugu Indo Adakawa, Muhammadu Dan Agigi, Madugu Dangomba, Umaru Sharubutu, Mai Kano Agogo, Alhasasan Dantata, Adamu Jakada, Muhammad Nagoda and many others were among the wealthy individuals that Kano produced.
Late Malam Sa’adu Zungur (1915 – 1958) in his song Arewa Mulukiya ko Jamhuriya said;
“Ya Sarki Alhaji Bayero,
Ga Yan birni da Kanawiya.
Tun Bagauda na saran Kano, Suka fara fataucin dukiya.”
Late Alhaji Haruna Kundila (1810 – 1901 ) was known for his great wealth and fortune in the pre-colonial Kano during the reign of Emir Abdullahi Maje Karofi and his successor Emir Bello Ibrahim Dabo.
There was this popular Hausa saying attributed to him; Bana siyarwa bane ya gagari Kundila, meaning that there is nothing Kundila can’t afford to buy unless it is not for sale, because of his massive wealth and purchasing power.
The story about his source of wealth says that he came out of the house on a fateful day and met Malam Sidi (according to the story Malam Sidi, is a Pious God-fearing Islamic teacher, and many people believe that he is a “Waliyyi’).
The story said Malam Sidi asked Kundila how he can help him get people that can evacuate his sewer pit. Kundila answered him positively.
History revealed that Haruna Kundila who was a slave trader in those days had trade relations with traders coming to Kano from foreign countries such as Mali, Sudan, Libya, Senegal, Damagaram, Agadas, Garwa, Duwala, Bamyo, and Fallomi
In his heyday, there is no one in Kano with Kundila’s wealth. Kundila was very rich and had estates by each of the city gates (Kofofi). It was said that he owned more than one thousand slaves. In fact, he was the wealthiest trader in Nineteen century Kano.
History said the reason behind the name Kundila is that Haruna has a younger sister named Binta. One day Haruna went home and found his sister in their mother’s room, he said to her “Please Binta, “Miko min Kundina” The sister started repeating the words “Ina Kundina? Ina Kundina? Since that time the name Kundila followed him for the rest of his life.
In the present day, some government housing estates in Kano bear the name, for example, Kundilar Zaria Road.
It was said that Kundila died in 1901 (two years before the British Conquest of Kano).
By Jameelu Uba Adamu.
