Spices of Kano
A northern Nigerian trading city on the old Saharan routes, linked with yaji, the peppery spice blend for suya.
Traded and grown here
Best time: November to February.
Kano is a very old trading city with an ancient walled core and a famous market, Kurmi, one of the oldest in West Africa. Hausa cooking uses chilli, ginger, groundnut and other spices.
Spices and trade
Yaji, or suya spice, is made from ground roasted peanuts, ginger, dried chilli, onion and garlic powder, and sometimes other spices. It is rubbed on skewered beef and grilled. Grains of paradise and uziza are used in southern Nigeria.
The place and its people
The Hausa people form the majority. Dishes include tuwo and miyan kuka, and fura da nono. Dyers' pits at Kofar Mata have been in use for centuries.
Visiting
Check current travel advice for northern Nigeria before any trip.
A trail idea for Kano
- Kurmi Market See spices and crafts.
- A suya stand Taste yaji-rubbed beef.
- Kofar Mata dye pits Look at the old dyeing.
- Gidan Makama Museum Learn local history.
Written by the EveryMasala desk with AI assistance. Background: "Kano" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and tours change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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