Emirate

An emirate is a territory ruled by an emir,[1] a title used by monarchs or high officeholders in the Muslim world. From a historical point of view, an emirate is a political-religious unit smaller than a caliphate.[2] It can be considered equivalent to a principality in non-Muslim contexts.

Currently in the world, there are two emirates that are independent states (Kuwait and Qatar), one state ruled by an unrecognised emirate (Afghanistan), and a state that consists of a federation of seven emirates (the United Arab Emirates). A great number of previously independent emirates around the world are now part of larger states, as can be seen in Nigeria.[3]

Etymology

Etymologically, emirate or amirate (Arabic: إمارة imārah, plural: إمارات imārāt) is the quality, dignity, office, or territorial competence of any emir (prince, commander, governor, etc.). In English, the term is pronounced /ˈɛmərət, -ɪər-, -ɪt, -t/ or /ɛˈmɪərət, -ɪt, -t, iˈ-/ in British English and /ˈɛmərət/ or /ɪˈmɪərət/ in American English.[4]

Types

Monarchies

The United Arab Emirates is a federal state that comprises seven federal emirates, each administered by a hereditary emir, these seven forming the electoral college for the federation's president and prime minister.

As most emirates have either disappeared, been integrated in a larger modern state, or changed their rulers' styles, e.g. to malik (Arabic for "king") or sultan, such true emirate-states have become rare.

Provinces

Furthermore, in Arabic the term can be generalized to mean any province of a country that is administered by a member of the ruling class, especially of a member (usually styled emir) of the royal family, as in Saudi Arabian governorates.

List of present emirates

Location of Afghanistan (grey), Kuwait (red), Qatar (green), and the emirates of the United Arab Emirates

Current emirates with political autonomy are listed below:

Arabian Peninsula

Central Asia

List of former and integrated emirates

These are the emirates that have either ceased to exist, are not recognized and hold no real power, or were integrated into another country and preserved as "traditional states". They are arranged by location and in order of the date of the first leader styled "emir."

North Africa

Ethiopia
Ghana
  • Zabarma Emirate, northeastern Ghana 1860s–1897
Niger
  • Emirate of Say, southwestern Niger 19th century– (integrated)
Nigeria
Muhammadu Sanusi II, 14th Emir of Kano, on his throne
  • Fika Emirate, northeastern Nigeria 15th century– (integrated)
  • Gwandu Emirate, northwestern Nigeria 15th century to 2005 (integrated and then deposed)
  • Kebbi Emirate, northwestern Nigeria 1516– (integrated)
  • Borgu Emirate, westcentral Nigeria, formed from Bussa Emirate 1730–1954 and Kaiama Emirate 1912–54, unified 1954– (integrated)
  • Gumel Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1749– (integrated)
  • Yauri Emirate, northwestern Nigeria 1799– (integrated)
  • Gombe Emirate, northeast Nigeria 1804– (integrated)
  • Kano Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1805– (integrated)
  • Bauchi Emirate, northeast Nigeria 1805– (integrated)
  • Daura Emirate, northcentral Nigeria off and on 1805– (integrated)
  • Katsina Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1806– (integrated)
  • Katagum Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1807– (integrated)
  • Zaria Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1808– (integrated)
  • Potiskum Emirate, northeastern Nigeria 1809– (integrated)
  • Adamawa Emirate, eastern Nigeria and formerly into western Cameroon 1809– (integrated where preserved)
  • Ilorin Emirate, southwestern Nigeria 1817– (integrated)
  • Muri Emirate, eastcentral Nigeria 1817– (integrated)
  • Kazaure Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1819– (integrated)
  • Lapai Emirate, central Nigeria 1825– (integrated)
  • Suleja Emirate, central Nigeria 1828– (integrated)
  • Agaie Emirate, westcentral Nigeria 1832– (integrated)
  • Bida Emirate, westcentral Nigeria 1856– (integrated)
  • Kontagora Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1858– (integrated)
  • Borno Emirate, northeastern Nigeria 1900– (integrated)
  • Dikwa Emirate, northeast Nigeria 1901– (integrated)
  • Biu Emirate, northeast Nigeria 1920– (integrated)

Arabia

Central Asia

South Asia

Near East

Caucasus

Iberia

Mediterranean region

See also

References

  1. "The definition of emirate". Dictionary.com.
  2. "What is the difference between an emirate and a caliphate? – Shakuhachi.net". 6 August 2020.
  3. "The Cultural and Colonial Settings". A Dangerous Awakening : The Politicization of Religion in Nigeria. African Dynamics. IFRA-Nigeria. 21 February 2013. pp. 9–43. ISBN 9791092312034.
  4. Wells, John C. (2008), Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.), Longman, ISBN 9781405881180
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.