Hausa Traditional Titles and Their Meanings

Hausa traditional system has been organized and efficient even before the advent of colonialism and indirect rule in Northern Nigeria. Just like, foods and naming systems, Hausa Land have their unique traditional system of Governance. The Emirates Councils in most kingdoms are well-staffed complete with institutions supervised by the Emir or someone else.

Each Hausa Land Kingdom has its Police Force (Yan Doka, The Prisons (Gidan Yari), an intelligence-gathering network (Dubagari), Army, and many other sections that can be likened to today’s ministries and departments. For that reason, here is a list of Hausa Traditional Titles and Their Meaning.

Related: Traditional Hausa Names and Their Meanings

List of Traditional Titles In Hausa Land

1. Sarki – Emir (President)
2. Waziri – Vice President/ Prime Minister
3. Sarkin Fada – Chief of Staff
4. Garkuwa – Chief of Army Staff
5. Sarkin Alkali- Chief judge
6. Wali – Minister of Justice/ Attorney General
7. Sarkin Ruwa – Minister of Water Resources
8. Sarkin Noma- Minister of Agriculture
9. Ma’aji – Accountant General
10. Mutawalli- Minister of Finance
11. Sarkin Kira – Minister of Power and steel.
12. Sarkin Dogarai – Chief of Defence staff
13. Duba Gari – DSS (Leken Asirin cikin gida)
14. Shugaban Yan Doka- Inspector General of Police
15. Sarkin Tsafta- Minister of Health
16. Hakimi – Governor
17. Mai gari – Chairman
18. Mai unguwa – Councilor
19. Sarkin Fawa- Head of Butchers
20. Majalisar Sarakuna/ Majalisar Sarki – Senate or House of Representatives.
21. Galadima – Interior Minister
22. Sarkin Aiyuka – Minister of Works.
23. Sarkin Noma – Minister of Agriculture.
24. Jakadiya – Minister of Women affairs.
25. Sarkin Yaki- Army Commander
26. Sarkin Malamai/ Sa’i- Minister for Religious affairs/ Adviser on Religious Matters
27. Sallama – Aide de Camp (ADC)
28. Magatakarda – Secretary of the Federation (SGF ) or Private Secretary
29. Sarkin Kofa – Protocol
30. Sarkin Dawaki – Minister of Culture
31. Madawaki-The Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces
32. Sarkin Samari- Minister of Youth Affairs
33. Sarkin Hanya- Minister of Transport
34. Shamaki- Cheif Protocol Officer
35. Sankira- Special Adviser on Media and Publicity

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