Who was the interviewer: Mallam A.B. Adua

Date: 10th December 1989

Where the interview took place: Ile Dogari, Ọja Ọba, Ilorin

Compound of the informant: Ile Dogari, Ọja Ọba, Ilorin

Approximate age of the informant: 54 years

Any other relevant details about the informant: He is the present Seriki Dogari.

Whether the informant was completely cooperative or not; and if not, why: He was cooperative.

Whether the informant wishes his/her name to be withheld or not: He was not opposed to his name being given.

If not, what is the name of the informant? Alhaji Akanni, Seriki Dogari

Names of any other people present at the interview:

Mallam Mejidadi Dogari

Mallam Salahu Dogari

Mallam Salami Dogari

1 Have you ever heard of the Sarkin Dogari? Yes.

2 Is there still a Sarkin Dogari today? Yes, in Ilorin.

3 If so, what is the name of his compound, and where is it? Ile Dogari, Ọja Ọba, Ilorin.

4 Where did the first Sarkin Dogari come from? Bornu.

5a In the 19th century, what were the functions of the Sarkin Dogari? The Sarkin Dogari was Chief Warder in charge of prisoners. He was also in charge of war captives.

5b Did he have any military functions? Yes.

5c If so, what were they? He handed war captives to the Emir, who in turn asked him to look after them.

6 Was Sarkin Dogari originally a slave title? No.

7 If so, whose slave was the Sarkin Dogari? He was never a slave.

8 If not, whom did the Sarkin Dogari follow? The first Seriki Dogari was Ahmadu Baba Kanike who came from Bornu. In fact, he was in Alfa Alimi’s company from Bornu but he was not a slave. He was Alfa Alimi’s friend, and this was why he came with him.

9 Did the Sarkin Dogari own any land outside Ilorin? Yes.

10 If so, where? From Fomo to Ikoyi boundary.

11 Does the Sarkin Dogari still own that land today? Yes.

12 What are the functions of the Sarkin Dogari today? Today the Seriki Dogari is the palace police. He is also in charge of announcements to the public (he serves as the Emir’s information officer). The Dogari supervises the palace in the absence of the Emir.