War · c. 1670–1684
Kwararafa against Katsina, Zazzau and Bornu
At the same time as its attacks on Kano, Kwararafa struck the other great states of the north.
Overview
At the same time as its attacks on Kano, Kwararafa struck the other great states of the north. Katsina was invaded between 1670 and 1684 and Zazzau attacked around 1680. With a Tuareg army from the north it besieged Ngazargamu, the Bornu capital. Mai Ali ibn Umar turned the two besiegers against each other and then beat both; Bornu tradition says he sent three captives back with their severed ears hung round their necks.[2],[1],[3]Medium confidence
Wikipedia's Kwararafa article says Ngazargamu was sacked; its Jukun and Ali III articles say the attack failed. The Bornu account, that the siege was broken, is followed here.
Who took part
What happened
- 1670–1684 · Katsina
Katsina invaded
Katsina documents record a Kwararafa invasion in these years.[1]Medium confidence
- Reign of Ali ibn Umar (c. 1645–1680) · Ngazargamu
Ngazargamu besieged and saved
Kwararafa and the Tuareg besiege the Bornu capital. Mai Ali sets them against each other, then defeats the survivors of both.[3],[2]Medium confidence
Kingdoms involved
Sources
Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).