Gidan Makama Museum

Kano State, Nigeria

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Gidan Makama Museum in Kano, Nigeria, is a historic site housed in a 15th-century building that originally served as the temporary palace of the Sarakunan Hausa (Kings of Hausa) before the construction of the current Emir's palace, Gidan Rumfa.

Built in 1442 by Emir Abdullahi Burja as a residence for his grandson, Prince Rumfa, who later became the Makama (heir apparent) of Kano, the museum preserves traditional Hausa architecture and offers a deep insight into the history and culture of Kano and the broader Hausa land.

The museum consists of 11 galleries showcasing collections of arts, crafts, archaeological artifacts, historical documents, and exhibits on Kano’s development, including maps, city walls, statehood, the civil war, economy, industry, and musical heritage. It also features a performance space for traditional dance and drama. Following the British conquest of Kano in 1903, the building briefly served as colonial offices and later became a museum under the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

The Gidan Makama Museum stands as a vital cultural and historical landmark reflecting the legacy and traditions of the Kano people.