THE INCONGRUITY IN OUR HISTORY

A PAPER PRESENTED BY ALH. IBRAHIM S. MUHAMMAD AT THE BOO.BOKOBARU, BISSAN AND TCHENGA
LINGUISTIC

SEMINAR AT ILLO, KEBBI STATE, NIGERIAL,

ON 22ND DECEMBER, 2023.

Standing on the Existing Protocol

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a great honour to the Bokobaru-speaking people of Kaiama to be given the privilege of

presenting a paper on the topic, “The Incongruity in our History”. It is a topic we are all aware of in one
way or the other, but which even our indigenous historians decline to discuss. The myth of Kisra has
remained an area of contention in our history. It is this grey area that we have decided to bring out to
the open for discussion. This will enable our historical narrative to become an unblemished legacy which
this august biennial gathering will bequeath to our future generations. The history of Borgu, our history
is too important to us as our identity to accommodate discrepancies. It is a land acquired through sweat
and blood by the Boko speaking people, which is spread from Kaiama, Wawa, Bussa, Illo and crossed
over to Borgou Department of Benin Republic, Baruten inclusive and even beyond, because Ilesha,
Okuta and Yashikira are Moraru, Tossou and Lafiaru clans of Nikki royal dynasty, descendants of Sime
Doodia, the second Suno Sero,

BARGU: THE NAME AND ORIGIN

First, allow me to observe that even on the name “Borgu” itself, many historians have given
different translations except the one that stares them in the face; the Boko translation of the word.

With due respect to the experts, you may wish to know that “Borgu” is a compound word in Boko,
broken as follows:

Baru- wilderness

Gu/gou- place

Baruguu –a wild place/ an unsettled place

Baruguu/Borgu, simply mean an unsettled place found conducive for the Boko-speaking people to settle,
which they did. The same translation goes for “Barutem” by the Batunos. “Barutem” (Baruland) is the
same as “Borgu” (Baruland) in Boko, respectively.

The Boko, according to Dr. Ross Jones, are of Mande family of languages, who were a part of the
expansionist campaign of Mali Empire between 1260AD and 1564AD, as its southern outpost. They
settled and made their incursion into the area we today know as Nikki Wenu, in 1480AD. They took over
the land and its leadership. It is the place where the first king of the Boko-speaking people was installed
and have ever since then been considered an important ancestral place of commemoration at the
installation of a new king to the throne of Nikki. This means that any successor to Nikki throne is an
descendant of Seidu, Sunosero I and Sime Dodia, Suno-Sero II, who were Boko and the ancestral fathers
of the Nikki Royal dynasty.

It may interest you to know that Boko being of the Mande family of languages, the other
dialects are spread all over West Africa in such areas as Burkina Faso, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea,
Liberia, Ivory Coast, Gambia and Mali. Bambara, which is very close cousin of Boko is a major language
spoken in Mali. One can now see why Seidu, Suno-Sero, the first, married a Bambara wife, probably to
maintain the family connection.

KISRA IN BORGU HISTORY

History, according to Encyclopedia, in the broadest sense, is the story of humanity’s past. It also
refers to the recording of the past. The diverse sources of history include books, newspapers, printed
documents, personal papers, other archival records, artifacts and oral accounts.

The above definition should suffice for our discussion on this topic within the given time frame to clarify
our subject; Kisra in Borgu history, as recorded by both indigenous and non natives narrators.

However, it is pertinent to observe that the narration of history is mostly subjective, depending on
which perspective the narrator is discussing. The Borgu narrative is not exempt. Such narrators as Dr.
Hussaini Abdu did a classic academic narrative of Borgu history in his book, The Partitioned Borgu.
Another writer, Lafia Hussaini gave a robust, dynamic and functional history of Borgu which the ordinary
Borgu indigene can understand and identify with. Dr. Ross Jones also did a good job of Borgu history,
but as I earlier mentioned, narrators could be subjective. This author was more inclined to using Borgu
migration to mean early acceptance of Christianity. The other two books I used were amateur
narratives: Borgu; Destined To Be, co-authored by Damisa Ya’u Mohammed (Danmasani of Borgu) and
Nze P. Nze, but relevant to our discussion. The last booklet is Borgu and Tourism: the dream of success,
by Musa Suroku Salihu (Dantata).

The francophone part of Borgu, in Republic of Benin may also have their versions of our history, but I
have had no privilege of reading them because of two reasons: none accessibility and the official
language barrier. However I have had the opportunity of putting the question of Kisra myth before a
Boko historian with whom I was connected through a third party in Republic of Benin. His responses was
surprisingly pro-Kisra myth, but he didn’t explain how the myth connects with Borgu history, which
would only mean that it was accepted without question, even though it doesn’t fit and has remained a
blemish on our history, as we all know.

At this point, allow me to humbly quote a few excerpts from the books I mentioned above as
concern Kisra in Borgu history,

In his booklet, History of Borgu, Dr Ross Jones has this to say:

“……The Kakau of Shongai assert that about 600Ad, there was a great migration from east to west across
the Sudan, called the Kisra Migration.

The `Kisra’ immigrant were made out to be Persians who fought against Rum (Byzantines) and were
driven west, entering Nigeria by way of Lake Chad.

…………………………………………………………………

Kisra was the head of a small lineage or clan in Mecca or somewhere in Arabia. He refused to accept
Mohammed’s plans for reform and stoutly resisted conversion to Islam. In the face of defeat by the
forces of the prophet, he fled with his people to Africa and across the Sahara, coming eventually to the
Niger. The river then miraculously widened to its present size, apparently to foil the pursuing Muslims.”

In the booklet, Borgu Destined To Be, co-authored by DamisaYa’u Mohammed (Dan Masanin Borgu)and
Nze P. Nze has this to say:

“………. It is said that about this period, (7th century), Kisra, a prince from Persia in modern day
Iran, led a migration of people from northeast to southwest of Africa. The name `Kisra’ is believed to
have been that of a great king named Khosrau. Two very illustrious Sassanid kings of Iran in the 6th and
7th centuries were actually known as Khosrau. The Borgu version associates the name of Kisra with the
title of `Black King’ translating `Ki’ as king and `Shiya’ as black…..

………………………………………………………………………………

…… After wandering from Borno to Karissen, Gwandu and Zagga, the immigrants eventually
established Illo.

Illo is said to have been founded by Woru, senior son of Kisra. The other two sons of Kisra were Sabi and
Biyo. After installing Biyo as ruler of Illo, Woru and Sabi then left Illo and proceeded to yet another
settlement used by Borgu’s forefathers…. The ensuing movement directly led to the founding of the
other two principal Borgu towns of Bussa and Nikki, with Sabi moving to the southwest to found Nikki,
While Woru moved to the southeast to establish Bussa”

In his booklet, Borgu&Tourism: The dream of success, Musa Suroku Salihu (Dantata) wrote:

“some writers opine that Kisara is the father of Borgu-------- the questions to ask are, Did Kisra truly exist
in Borgu? if yes, what was his name before coming to Borgu? What places did he settle before coming to
Borgu? Is it true that Kisra founded Bussa? or was he a Wassangari in Bussa?--------- Did he come with
Woru, Sabi and Bio or were they born in Borgu?”

Lafia Hussaini wrote in his book, Borgu: The Endless Journey, as follows:

“------- many historians wrote extensively on Kisra, but their versions are far from being identical. Some
have more miraculous features than others. The historical accuracy of Kisra account is less important
than its constitutional values to the ruling class of Borgu. No region in West African hold stronger the
Kisra account than Borgu, as such, the tradition became a royal claim, religious and political doctrine
 ………………………………………………………………………

......Many contemporary writers, who consider history to be devoid of myth, have dismissed Kisra’s
presence in Borgu or anywhere in West Africa as fictional”

Then we have this last excerpt from Dr. Hussaini Abdu’s book, Partitioned Borgu.

….Different narratives of Kisra are reflected even within Borgu. The differences are largely based on Kisra
movements and the claim of seniority and authenticity of origin. The Bussa tradition which is arguably
considered the most common and mainstream, holds that Kisra, in resistance to Islam in the seventh
century, migrated westward through Borgu and settled at the Niger bend. The Niger was then a narrow
stream, which got expanded through Kisra’s magical powers. Kisra died leaving three children-Woru,
Sabi and Bio. While Woru succeeded his father and settled in Bussa, Sabi and Bio established Nikki and
Illo respectively…”

With due respect to the experts, I have summarized the whole story as follows: Kisra is said to be a king
of Persia, which is present day Iran. The king was a Sassanian king of Persia with the royal title of
Choscrau. He is said to have fled his kingdom to avoid the Islamic Jihadists, because he had no desire to
be Islamized. He wandered to many places in West Africa until he eventually arrived Illo where his third
son, Bio, was installed as king. The other two sons, Woru and Sabi, proceeded to Swanla from where
they relocated to found Bussa and the first son, Woru, settled as king. The second son, Sabi, took his
marching orders and continued the journey to establish Nikki and got installed as King. Finally, we are
left to wonder at what point the adventure of Kisra ended and where that of the three children began.

We all know that Borgu, the Greater Borgu, has a strong and compelling history that is an
inspiration to the people; so is their rich and impressive culture, but the preceding synopsis of Kisra
myth is the foundation on which we built our strong history and rich culture. A foundation we very well
know cannot to be relied upon, yet our scholars remained mesmerized and fixated on it. However, we
will give them the benefit of doubt, but they should show us how the Kisra myth connects the overall
history of the people of the Greater Borgu. If they are unable to do that, then let us move on and
explore for better and more accurate alternatives, which I believe we can do. I know it is enormous
challenge, but let us have it in mind that where there is a will, there will also be a way.

RECOMMENDATIONS

There is growing awareness that the Boko race is not limited to Nigeria and Benin Republic only. We
suggest that our research team may wish to identify the other areas, get in touch with our kin and invite
them to Boko race unification summit during the next seminar.

It is imperative for our research team to invite all the Boko kingdoms and communities in Nigeria, Benin
and any other areas beyond, to submit the history of their places to the research committee for scrutiny
and collation so as to produce a historical narrative that can stand academic test at any level.
It is also important for the research team to request for the inclusion of the culture and traditions of
each area for comparative study to facilitate a unified traditional and cultural affinity between the
different communities.

This enormous task cannot be hurried; it may take years to accomplish, but it is not impossible.
Therefore, I suggest that submission of historical writes ups from the various communities should be
referred to the next seminar date and place, from where our research team may take over.

Finally, we wish to reiterate that the Bokos are a strong and proud people who have proved their mettle
during Mali Empire and again during Shongai Empire. Even today, the Boko speaking people have
retained their ethnic, historical, cultural and traditional pride because we are what the Hausa people call
the, WASSAN GARIS.

Thank you very much for your attention. May Allah spare us to witness the next Boko summit in
good health. Amin.