The Gobarau Minaret is a 50-foot Minaret

Minaret

A minaret مناره , sometimes مئذنه) is a distinctive architectural feature of Islamic mosques, generally a tall spire with an onion-shaped or conical crown, usually either free standing or taller than any associated support structure. The basic form of a minaret includes a base, shaft, and gallery....

 located in the center of the city of Katsina

Katsina

Katsina is a city , and a Local Government Area in northern Nigeria, and is the capital of Katsina State. Katsina is located some 160 miles east of the city of Sokoto, and 84 miles northwest of Kano, close to the border with Niger. As of 2007, Katsina's estimated population was 459,022...

, Northern Nigeria

Nigeria

Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...

. An early example of Muslim architecture in a city known a theological center, the tower has become a symbol of the city.

History

Gobarau is reputed to the first multi-storey building in West Africa; it is believed to have been built during the reign of Sarkin Katsina (King) Muhammadu Korau (1398-1408 AD) -- the first Muslim King of Katsina.
Other sources date the structure from the 16th to 18th centuries, with a major reconstruction taking place in the early 20th century.

Originally built as the central Mosque of Katsina town, it was later used also as a school. By the beginning of the 16th century, Katsina had become a very important commercial and academic center in Hausaland, and Gobarau mosque had grown into a famed institution of higher Islamic education. Gobarau continued to be Katsina's Central mosque until the beginning of the 20th century AD, when Sarkin Katsina Muhammadu Dikko (1906–1944) built the famous Masallacin Dutsi, which is still used up to this day. The mosque and tower were renovated by Sarkin Katsina Muhammadu Kabir Usman (1981–2008).

Mythology

A popular myth about the origin of Gobarau states that when Muhammadu Korau slew Jibda-Yaki Sanau the last pagan king of Katsina, he desired to construct a mosque. After the site was selected, there arose the problem of the direction of the Qiblah where the mosque must face. Muhammadu Korau consulted the Muslim scholars of that time, and they all agreed to a certain direction, except one Mallam Jodoma, who was a stranger. An argument broke out, and the other scholars insulted Jodoma of being a stranger who wanted to bring instability. Mallam Jodoma,becoming angry, pointed his staff at another direction, and there appeared the Ka'abah clearly. Gobarau was also used for spotting invading armies.

Muhammadu Korau was amazed, and made Mallam Jodoma his Chief Imam, much to the dismay of the other scholars, who jealously made Muhammadu Korau believe that Jodoma, becoming increasingly famous, wanted his throne. Jodoma was banished from Katsina, and he settled at Guga

Guga

Guga may refer to:*Guga River, tributary of the Iada River in Romania*Guga River * Guga, a village in Căşeiu Commune, Cluj County, Romania*Gugga, a figure in Panjab legend*Aurel Guga , former Romanian footballer....

, a village in present day Bakori

Bakori

Bakori is a Local Government Area in Katsina State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Bakori. the current chaiman of the local government is Alh Aminu Magaji and the current Emir is Alh Idris Sule Idris Nadabo...

Local government in Katsina state, where he died.