Chap. XXIV. THE SEVEN STATES, 
73 
emblem of the industry of Hausa), and Katsena "and 
Daura " saraki-n-kaswa " (tlie ministers of inter- 
course and commerce), while Zegzeg is said to have 
been obliged to provide his brethren with those ne- 
cessary instruments of social life in these regions, 
namely, slaves, becoming the " serki-n-bay." Kano, 
which at present has been greatly reduced, though it 
is still a considerable place, situated south-west from 
Kan6, was originally, like each of the other towns, the 
capital of an independent territory, though not men- 
tioned hitherto by any traveller who has spoken of 
Hausa. 
If we credit Leo's description, we must conclude 
that when he visited these regions, towards the 
end of the 15th century of our era, there was no 
capital in the province of Katsena, the whole country 
being inhabited in " piccoli casali fatti a guisa di 
capanne." For with respect to later events, which 
happened after he had left the country, and while he 
was writing his description, very imperfect infor- 
mation appears to have reached him. Now, the list 
of the kings of Katsena, from a remote period, is still 
tolerably well preserved, together with the length of 
their respective reigns ; and there is no reason what- 
ever to doubt their general accuracy, as the history of 
the state has been in writing at least since the middle 
of the 16th century of our era, and we have something 
to control this list, and to connect it with facts gleaned 
from other quarters. This regards the period of the 
reign of the king Ibrahim Maji, who, as we know, lived 
