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Haven of various species of Palearctic
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History of Kanem Borno Empire
Historical records has it that the Kanem-Borno empire was probably the largest state in Nigeria area before 19th century. Its ruling dynasty was the Sayfawa (Sefawa) up to the early part of the 19th century. The state emerged in Kanem to the northeast of Lake Chad. It collapsed by the end of the 14th century and its rulers migrated to west of Lake Chad where they founded the Borno State.
The Kanem state consisted of a concentration of population and settlements that were in contact with states of the Sahara, North Africa and possibly Egypt. The leader of one of the settlement emerged as a divine ruler eventually brought other groups under his authority. By 10th century AD, a centralized state of Kanem had emerged under the ruler ship of Mai (King). Islam united and facilitated the effective rule of the various settlements that form the empire.
It was during the reign of Mai Humme (Umme Jilmi) from about 1088-1-97 that what is referred to as the first Kanuri empire emerged. His successor, Mai Dunuma (1097-1155) strengthened the empire and expanded the state using resources at his disposal. In the 13th century therefore, the state of Kanem reached its peak military and territorial power. Islam was the unifying instrument that kept the people together and the ruler ship. During this time, political, military and administrative powers were in the hands of the Mai and his sons (princes).
Later, the state started experiencing crises due to competition for scarce resources by the princes and rebellion by various, the Bulala. This eventually led to the collapse and migration of the rulers of Kanem southwards where they founded another state with its capital at Gazargamu (N’gazargamu) to the west of Lake Chad. The new state formed the nucleus of the second Kanuri empire that is popularly referred to as Borno.
The Borno State was established after prolonged periods of struggle between the Sayfawa and the inhabitants of southern shores of Lake Chad, especially the Sau (So). This was further complicated by dynastic intrigues and insubordination and interference in royal matters by titleholders, the Kaigama.
The emergence of Ali Gaji in the political scene in about 1470 AD brought an end to the Borno crises and the thriving of the empire. He achieved this feat by actively engaging himself in political, military, administrative and economic activities that stabilized the state. By the end of his reign, he succeeded in establishing a state that dominated the entire central Sudan, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries. Mai Ali Gaji died in 1503 leaving a solid foundation upon which his successor, Mai Idris Katakarmabe extend his frontiers and become involved in international affairs of central and western Sudan, central Sahara and North Africa and maintained diplomatic ties with North Africa and Egypt. He died in 1526.
His death followed political instability until 1570 when Mai Idris Aloma ascended the throne. Mai Idris Aloma eliminated resistance put up by the various groups, notably the Sau (So) and the Ngizim to Safawa rule. This was made possible through use of sophisticated weapons such as guns and mercenaries imported from North Africa and Turkey. He humbled the Bulala to submission and incorporated Kanem into Borno. By the end of his reing in 1603, Borno’s limit has extended to River Shari in the east, to Nguru Ngilewa in the west and from Moniyo in the south to the north of Mandara highlands in the south. He established diplomatic ties with Turkey, Morocco and North African counties. He also brought Borno closer to North Africa, Egypt and the Middle East through trade links.
Borno remained politically and militarily strong throughout most of the 17th century. By the end of the century, Borno started experiencing a number of problems which got worsened in the 18th century mainly due to the inexperienced, weak and unpopular Mais that succeed him. Because of the weak central government and famine that struck around this period, some groups suck as the Badi Started to assert independence. Also, the Fulani who were influenced by development associated with Jihad in Hausa land during the time revolted. This led to the eventual collapse of the Sayfawa government in Borno and the fall of the empire in the early part of the 19th century.
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