Kangiwa

palace, Katsina, Nigeria

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June 30, 2026

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Kangiwa is the name of the palace of the Fulani emirs in Katsina, Nigeria. The palace, also known as the "Elephant's Head," houses royal treasures, including a 13th-century sword used to overthrow a previous dynasty.1

Katsina itself is a historic kingdom and emirate in northern Nigeria, founded between the 10th and 11th centuries. It became a significant center for trans-Saharan trade and Islamic studies, particularly in the 18th century. The region was conquered by the Songhai Empire in 1513 and later became a tributary state of Bornu. In 1806, Fulani leader Umaru Dallaji captured Katsina town, establishing it as an emirate under the Sokoto Caliphate. Modern Katsina is a major collecting point for agricultural products and a regional education center.21

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Katsina
…in the palace of the Kangiwa (“Elephant’s Head”); among the royal treasures of the palace is Gajere, a sword with a 13th-century Arabic inscription that was used in the overthrow of the Kumayo-Durbawa dynasty in the early 14th century. Associated with the town’s large central mosque is the Gobarau Minaret,…
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…in the palace of the Kangiwa (“Elephant’s Head”); among the royal treasures of the palace is Gajere, a sword with a 13th-century Arabic inscription that was used in the overthrow of the Kumayo-Durbawa dynasty in the early 14th century. Associated with the town’s large central mosque is the Gobarau Minaret,…
Read More