Abdullah Burja

'Abdullahi Dan Kanajeji , known as Abdullahi Burja, was the sixteenth ruler of Kano. Through forging of powerful alliances and the creation of trade routes, Burja shifted the identity of the Kano Sultanate towards trade and commerce, what Kano and its people are known for today. He was the first Hausa King to pay tribute to Bornu which secured an agreement to open trade routes from Gwanja to Bornu. He was also the first King to own camels in Hausaland. By the end of the 15th Century, Kano emerged as one of the most vibrant trading centers in the Sahel. Through trade, the Hausa language and culture was spread throughout the region.

Ascension and Reign Abdullahi Burja's mother's name was Tekidda. He was the third successive son of King Kanajeji to be made ruler of Kano. According to the Kano Chronicle, his reign coincided with the late days of the infamous Queen Amina of Zazzau. It was said that the Sultan waged war on Dutse and later took a daughter of their leader as his wife, the first mention of Dutse in recorded history. Burja established trade relations with Bornu and created trade routes from Gwanja to Bornu. This shift towards trade saw an intensification of slave raids by Kano towards the south to export to Bornu. Abdullahi Burja through his Galadima created twenty one new slave colonies. Slowly, trade in Kano shifted towards other commodities During this time, all the young men of Kano were enjoined to military service and only old men remained in Kano. Abdullahi was noted by the Kano Chronicle for his generosity. All in all, Galadima Dauda built twenty one new towns which he called "Ibdabu" and was made Lord of these towns by the Sultan.

Biography in the Kano Chronicle Below is a full biography of Abdullahi Burja from Palmer's 1908 English translation of the Kano Chronicle.