A HISTORY OF TRANSFORMATION OF KAURANCI IN KATSINA METROPOLIS

This work examine the origin and development of Kauranci and the activities of Kauraye (thugs) in Birnin (metropolis)Katsina. Kauranci (thuggry) in Katsina emerged and developed in the pre-colonial period. In pre-colonial Katsina, Thuggry is considered to be a circle of youth whose main interest is to cherish and patronize the profession for defense of polity, leisure as a well as means of earning a livelihood. During the trans- Saharan Trade they served as security agents to the caravans against the desert pirates and also as general security agents to their states. While in the colonial Katsina most of them served as Native Authority administration as administrators and security agents for perpetuating Colonial rule. At present, Kauranci in Katsina is widely agreed to mean Thuggry, Hooliganism and gangster activities which involves youth who have posed negative dirt in the society.Therefore, the work traced the origin Kauranci and its role in the development of Katsina in the pre-colonial and colonial period. It also attempt to explore the transformatory factors of Kauraye activities as well as their political role, especially in the present political dispensation