Sarki (Daura Serpent)
Sarki is the giant serpent that guarded the Kusugu well in the city of Daura, the central antagonist in the foundational legend of the Hausa people. The serpent allowed the townspeople to draw water only on Fridays, terrorizing them the rest of the week. When the prince Bayajidda (Abu Yazid) arrived from Baghdad, he went to the well on a Thursday, unaware of the prohibition. When Sarki attacked, Bayajidda cut off its head with his sword. As reward, Queen Daurama offered him half her kingdom, but Bayajidda instead requested her hand in marriage, ending the tradition of celibate queens. Their de