The Biu Emirate is a traditional state based in Biu in Borno State, Nigeria. Prior to 1920 it was referred to as the Biu Kingdom.
History The rulers of Biu are numbered from Abdullahi, later known as Yamta-ra-Wala or Yamta the Great, who established his rule about 1535.Montgomery-Massingberd, Hugh (1980) "Biu" Burke's Royal Families of the World: Africa & the Middle East (Volume 2 of Burke's royal families of the world) Burke's Peerage, London, page 177, Around 1670, in the reign of Mari Watila Tampta, it became known as a kingdom. The main ethnic group is the Babur/Bura people, related to the Kanuri people. The founder was said to have come from elsewhere, captured the main town in the area, then founded a new capital in Dlimbur, which is now an archaeological site. His descendants formed two rival dynasties, one at Kogu and the other in nearby Mandaragirau.
King Mari Watirwa (r. 1793–1838) of Kogu defeated Fulani invaders from the Gombe Emirate to the west. In 1878 Mari Biya, became the first Bura king to rule from Biu. The emir's palace is now situated in the town. With British rule, Biu division was created in 1918. Mai Ari Dogo was acknowledged as the first emir of Biu in 1920. The area became known as the Biu federation after 1957, when the districts of Shani and Askira were added to the emirate.
The Biu Emirate includes the Biu, Hawul, Kwaya Kusar and Bayo local government areas. The Biu Emirate has by convention always produced the Deputy Governor of Borno State, representing the south of the state. Until recently, the Biu Emirate was one of three in Borno State, the others being the Borno Emirate and the Dikwa Emirate. In March 2010 the Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff split the old Dikwa Emirate into the new Bama and Dikwa Emirates. This triggered petitions from the people of Hawul, Kwaya Kusar and Bayo to also have separate chiefdoms, which the governor had stated he would do "if the need arises".
Rulers
Mai Biu, also styled Kuthli, were: Start End Ruler Notesc. 1535 1580 Yamta-ra-Wala 1580 ? Mari Vira Hyel ? ? Dira Wala ? ? Yamta Amba ? c. 1670 Yamta Kupaya Wadi c. 1670 ? Mari Watila ? ? Yamta ra Bangye ? ? Mari Luku ? ? Jakwa Birtitik ? ? Thlama Bahara ? ? Tayar Warinki ? c. 1740 Dakwai c. 1740 c. 1750 Mari Kopchi aka Mari Kwabchic. 1750 c. 1760 Di Forma dan Mari Kopchison of Mari Kopchic. 1760 c. 1770 Garga Moda dan Mari Kopchibrother of Di Formac. 1770 c. 1780 Dawi Moda (Di Moda dan Di Forma)son of Di Formac. 1780 c. 1783 Di Biya dan Di Modason of Dawi Modac. 1783 1783 Di Rawa dan Di Biyason of Di Biya1783 1793 Garga Kopchi dan Di Biya (d. 1793)brother of Di Rawa1793 1838 Mari Watirwa dan Di Rawa (d. 1838)son of Di Rawa1838 1873 Ari Paskur dan Mari Watirwa (d. 1873)son of Mari Watirwa1873 1891 Mari Biya dan Ari Paskur (d. 1891)son of Ari Paskur1891 1908 Garga Kwomting dan Mari Biya (d. 1908)son of Mari Biya1908 1920 Ari I Dogo dan Garga Kwomting (b. 1876 - d. 1935)son of Garga Kwomting Emirs were: Start End Ruler Notes1920 1935 Ari I Dogo dan Garga Kwomting (see above)1935 1951 Ari II Gurgur dan Garga Kwomting (d. 1951)brother of Ari I1951 1959 Muhammad `Aliyu dan Ari Dogo (b. 1907)son of Ari I1959 1989 Maidalla Mustafa dan Muhammad Aliyu (b. 1915)son of Muhammad `AliyuDistrict Head of Kwaya territory before his accessionJune 1989 14 September 2020 Mai Umar Mustapha Aliyu son of Maidalla Mustafa21 September 2020IncumbentMaidala Mustapha Umar Aliyu II Son of Mai Umar Mustapha Aliyu
Local Government Areas in Biu Emirate Biu Emirate covers four Local Government Areas: Biu Bayo Hawul Kwaya Kusar
References