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War · 1807–1826

Al-Kanemi saves Bornu

The jihad reached Bornu in 1807 when Fulani at Daura swore allegiance to Usman dan Fodio.

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Overview

The jihad reached Bornu in 1807 when Fulani at Daura swore allegiance to Usman dan Fodio. Mai Ahmad attacked them and wrote to dan Fodio and Bello that his people were Muslims and the attacks unjust; the Fulani won anyway, killed the Galadima and in 1808 took Ngazargamu. At Ngala the scholar Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi, with his students and a few Kanembu and Shuwa Arab soldiers, beat off the Fulani leader Muhammad Wabi, and Mai Dunama called him to help retake the capital, a victory tradition credits to a charm al-Kanemi wrote on a calabash. Al-Kanemi argued Bornu's case against Bello in famous letters, founded Kuka in 1814 and became the real ruler as Shehu. His later invasion of Kano failed before its walls.[1],[2],[3]High confidence

Who took part

What happened

  1. 1808 · Ngazargamu

    Ngazargamu falls

    Mai Ahmad flees and abdicates for his son Dunama.[1]High confidence

  2. 1808 · Ngala

    The defence of Ngala

    Al-Kanemi defeats Muhammad Wabi.[1]High confidence

  3. 1814 · Kukawa

    Kuka founded

    Al-Kanemi founds Kuka and takes the title Shehu.[3]High confidence

Kingdoms involved

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).

  1. Wikipedia contributors. Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi
  2. Wikipedia contributors. Ibrahim Dabo
  3. Wikipedia contributors. Kukawa