BRIEF HISTORY OF DR MAMMAN SHATA KATSINA

Alhaji (Dr) Mamman Shata (born in 1923 in
Musawa, Katsina State, Nigeria, died on 18 June
1999) was a Nigerian singer.
He was a well-known Hausa griot/musician
among the Hausa people of West and North-east
Africa. His vocals were often accompanied by
talking drums, known as kalangu. He performed
for the Hauskpojkpoa people of Northern Nigeria
for more than half a century.
Early life
He went to an Islamic school as a boy, according
to Hausa Muslim tradition.
Musawa village was under the Katsina Native
Authority (N.A.) when Shata was born. When the
Local Governments were created it came under
Kankia Local Government. Today, Musawa is a
Local Government of its own.
Shata's father, Ibrahim Yaro, did not want him to
become a musician due to widely held belief of
those days that music or praise-singing was a
form of 'roko' or begging. His father being of the
Fulani ethnic stock, the young Shata was expected
to become a farmer — a more dignified
occupation. Shata's insistence on becoming a
musician was therefore seen as a rebellion
against the norm.
Music career
Shata acquired his sobriquet of 'Shata' from a
man called Tsalahu (Salahu). Shata sell his nuts
for Tsalahu and after the sale he shares the profit
to people he met on his way home or in the
market and comes back to Tsalahu empty
handed, as such he was given the name 'Shata'
meaning to spread. He combined this trade with
the sale of sweets ('mishin'). He usually sing for
fun in the market place or the local play ground
called 'gaandchili'. Later he abandoned both
trades and embraced music or praise-singing full-
time. This vocation took him to many villages in
the Musawa area. However Mamman Shata settled
at Daura with his notable benefactor Emir of
Daura; Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, Finally he
settled in Bakori, where he married his first wife,
Binta. They had a daughter, Amina, who died in
infancy. From his base in Bakori, Shata traveled
with his band to places as far away as Katsina and
Kano, which he first visited in 1952. A few years
later he moved to Funtua, a more cosmopolitan
town not far from Bakori. Shata made Funtua his
home for about forty years - up until his death.
Mamman Shata was one of the best selling
Polygram artistes from the north in the 80s. He
was a highly respected folklorist. He spent about
50–60 years in the music industry.
Alhaji Shata could not recall or remember how
many songs he produced. He was able to record
some.
He visited many African and Western countries,
including the United Kingdom France and United
States of America.
Shata was very famed to have sung for every topic
under the Hausa land's sun: agriculture, culture,
religion, economy, politics, military, etc. Shata
was awarded honorary doctorate degree by
Ahmadu Bello University in recognition of his
contributions to Hausa literature.
His relationship with other musicians was
cordial. Some of his notable benefactors were
Emir of Daura; Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar,
Mammada Dan Sambo, Emir of Kano; Alhaji Ado
Bayero, Sultan of Sokoto; Muhammadu Maccido,
Jarma of Kano; Alhaji Muhammadu Adamu
Dankabo; and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu
Usman Idris.
Political career
He joined politics in the 1970s, becoming a

Councillor under Kankia Local Government area.
His politics was largely left-wing even though his
benefactors (the royal and the business classes)
were mostly on the right. He ascribed this to his
humble background. In the 2nd Republic (in the
'80s) he was first in the centre-of-right GNPP and
then moved to the conservative ruling party, the
NPN. In the 3rd Republic he was elected as the
Chairman of SDP of Funtua Local Government.
Death
Alhaji Shata died on Friday 18 June 1999. He was
survived by three wives (Furera, Hadiza, and
Binta), 19 children, and 28 grandchildren. He was
buried at Daura. However; he married many other
women and divorced them, some with children
between them. Amina (the third of his wives when
he died) never gave birth even though she lived
with him for more than 10 years.

Title : BRIEF HISTORY OF DR MAMMAN SHATA KATSINA
Description : Alhaji (Dr) Mamman Shata (born in 1923 in Musawa, Katsina State, Nigeria, died on 18 June 1999) was a Nigerian singer. He was a well-known H...

Print this Page