War · Kanta's reign (c. 1530–1561)
Bornu besieges Surame
Bornu, once overlord of Hausaland, saw Kanta's empire as a threat to its hold on the Saharan trade.
Overview
Bornu, once overlord of Hausaland, saw Kanta's empire as a threat to its hold on the Saharan trade. A Bornu army chased Kanta's forces across Hausaland to Surame and besieged it. When the Bornu commander prepared his final assault, he saw the walls lined with defenders grinning at him. Many were dead men, propped up with their lips slit. Believing the Kebbawa far stronger than he thought, he lifted the siege: the origin of the Hausa saying “dariya ba loto”, laughter without end. In another battle Mai Muhammad is said to have fielded 100,000 men. Kanta died of a wound taken near Katsina on his own campaign against Bornu.[1]Medium confidence
Who took part
What happened
- Reign of Idris Katakarmabi or Ali II · Surame
Laughter without end
The Bornu commander turns back from walls lined with grinning dead.[1]Disputed
- 1550s · Katsina
Kanta's last campaign
Wounded near Katsina fighting Bornu, Kanta dies on the way home; his men build false tombs to hide his grave.[1]Medium confidence
Kingdoms involved
Sources
Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).