A number of versions exist, some in Arabic and some in Hausa, of legends of the origin of the seven Hausa states (Hausa bakwai) and the seven “upstart” states (banza bakwai). An early version is given by Muḥammad Bello in his Infāq al-maysūr (q.v.), and another is in the Rawḍāt al-afkār of ʿAbd al-Qādir b. al-Muṣṭafā (q.v.). Independent versions include:

1. Sabab sulṭān Dawrā wa-Kashina wa-Ghūbir wa-Zakzak wa-Kanū wa-Ranū wa-Biram ta-ghabas.

MSS: Ibadan (UL), 127; Kaduna (AH), 1/15/75; Kaduna (NA), A/AR1/36, C/AR25/1, D/AR35/1, 38/1, J/AR13/3, P/AR6/1, 11/5; Jos, 53 (ff. l-8r), (c…