KANEM – BORNU EMPIRE

Kanem Empire was otherwise known as the first Kanuri settlement Kingdom of Kanem. It was a state
located in the north-east of Lake Chad which flourished between the 9th and 14th centuries. The
kingdom was formed by a group of nomadic people and ruled by one of their strongest leaders, Saef ibn
Dhu Yasan, the founder of Saifawa [Sefawa] dynasty.

The kingdom became a muslim state as a result of their long contact with muslim clerics and traders
from the 11th century. The kingdom was prosperous as a result of their trade connections with the
Central African peoples, the Nile Valley and North African states on the other side of the Sahara Desert.
It was said that Kanem people migrated from the Sahara Desert following the region's increased dry
land.

Kanem reached its peak of expansion and power in the 13th century under the leadership of Mai [king]
Danama Dibbalemi. Kanem's king was forced to flee the invading mysterious Bulala people to set up a
new state on the other side of Lake Chad which later became known as Bornu Empire or Kanem- Bornu
Empire in 1839.

At its height, the Kanem kingdom covered an area beyond Chad but also present day southern Libya
[Fezzan, eastern Niger, Northeastern Nigeria and Northern Cameroon]. Mai Humai was the first king of
Kanem who began his reign in 1075 and formed alliance with Kay, Tubu, Dabir and Magum.

Humai's successor, Dunama [1098-1151] performed the Hajj three times before drowning at Aidab in
the Red Sea. He was able to raise a very strong 120,000 soldiers and 1000 horsemen for the state of
Kanem.

Mai Dunama Dibbalemi was one of the strongest and powerful kings of Kanem. It was Dibbalemi who
initiated diplomatic relationshiphs with Sultans in North Africa, arranged for the establishment of a
madrasa of al-Rashid in

The history of Kanem Bemo empire falls into two phases. The first phase was between the 9th and 14th
centuries. This was when the seat of power was located in Kanem, north east of Lake Chad. The second
phase began in the 15th century and lasted up to the 19th century in Bomo

Factors that led to the rise of Kanem- Borno empire includes able leadership, trade and Islam.

A. Able leadership

Leaders such as Mai All Ghaji (1470- 1503 A.D) and Mai Idris Alooma (1571-1603 A.D.) contributed to the
rise of Kanem-Borno. Mal All Ghaji, restored political stability, by crushing the Dawud faction and
establishing a new ruling family. He defeated the Bulala and built a new capital at Birni Ngazargamu in
1480 A.D. Mai Ali Ghaji was noted for the promotion of Islam in Kanem-Borno.
On his own part, Maildrnis Alooma, fought wars with Kano, Tuaregs and various peoples of the Lake
Chad area such as the Budama, Kotoko and So. As a result, Borno was no longer at the mercy of her
enemies but was strong and well-defended.

B. Trade

Kanem-Borno, was strategically located for trade along trans. Saharan routes. In the 16th century,
Kanem Borno imported fire arms from North Africa in exchange for slaves.

C. Islamic contributions

The first Mai to become a Muslim was Mai Umme Jilmi (1085-1097A.D.) Umme Jilmi's son and
successor, Dunama, went on pilgrimage to Mecca. The influence of Islam transformed Kanem-Borno at
the early stage of the empire. Mai Idris Alooma established contacts with the Muslim world and made
pilgrimage to Mecca. He gained influence by the pilgrimage and imported weapons with which he
fought to expand his territory.

FACTORS THAT LED TO THE FALL OF KANEM-BORNO EMPIRE

The 17th and 18th centuries were often described as the period of decline for Borno. It was caught
between two aggressive enemies: the Tuaregs of the north and the state of Kwararafa to the South. Its
loss of control over the trade routes and oases led to a decline in its income. Then, there were cases of
famine in the 18th century. The factors that led to the fall of Kanem-Borno empire included the
following:

Firstly, Kanem-Borno had problems with her neighbours the Kanembu and could not control Fezzan.
They found themselves constantly at war with other peoples of the Lake Chad area. They had many
problems with the Bulala. They also fought many wars with the So. Four Mais died while fighting the So.

The Second problem was associated with Borno Kings. Kanuri tradition indicated that the problems were
due to the destruction of the "Mune", a sacred object. This reflected a decline in the Mai's religious
authority. After the death of Mai Dunama Dibbalami, several Mais were assassinated. This led to a
period of political instability and civil war.

The Third reason included climatic and economic factors. Over a period of one thousand years, the
Sahara had become much drier. The increasing dryness of Kanem-Borno area was one of the factors
which encouraged the Kanembu to migrate further south to the green area of Borno. This migration led
to wars with the Bulala in the second half of the 14th century. The Bulala succeeded in killing four
successive Mais until Mai Umar Idris decided to lead his people to Borno.