Saharan · Nigeria’s peoples

Kanuri

The Kanuri were the core people of the Kanem-Bornu Empire, one of Africa’s longest-lasting states.

At a glance

Where do the Kanuri people live?: Their homeland is in Borno and Yobe States, across 19 local government areas. They are also a large share of Borno, Yobe and Jigawa States.
What language do the Kanuri speak?: Kanuri, a language of the Saharan family (Saharan › Western Saharan).
Who is the traditional ruler of the Kanuri?: Shehu of Borno, seated at Maiduguri.
Which kingdoms are part of Kanuri history?: Kanem-Bornu

Overview

The Kanuri were the core people of the Kanem-Bornu Empire, one of Africa’s longest-lasting states. About 3 million Kanuri speakers live in north-eastern Nigeria, plus about 200,000 who speak the Manga dialect. The Shehu of Borno, at Maiduguri, heads their traditional state.^[2],[3]High confidence

Where the Kanuri live

Local government areas by state. Homeland: the group is the majority. Shared area: a large share of a mixed area. Smaller presence: present, but a small share.

Borno
- Bama(Homeland)
- Dikwa(Homeland)
- Gubio(Homeland)
- Guzamala(Homeland)
- Kaga(Homeland)
- Konduga(Homeland)
- Kukawa(Homeland)
- Mafa(Homeland)
- Maiduguri(Homeland)
- Marte(Homeland)
- Mobbar(Homeland)
- Monguno(Homeland)
- Nganzai(Homeland)
- Abadam(Shared area)
- Jere(Shared area)
- Kala Balge(Shared area)
- Magumeri(Shared area)
- Ngala(Shared area)
- Chibok(Smaller presence)
- Gwoza(Smaller presence)
Yobe
- Bursari(Homeland)
- Damaturu(Homeland)
- Geidam(Homeland)
- Gujba(Homeland)
- Nguru(Homeland)
- Yunusari(Homeland)
- Bade(Shared area)
- Gulani(Shared area)
- Jakusko(Shared area)
- Karasuwa(Shared area)
- Machina(Shared area)
- Tarmuwa(Shared area)
- Yusufari(Shared area)
- Fune(Smaller presence)
- Potiskum(Smaller presence)
Jigawa
- Biriniwa(Shared area)
- Guri(Shared area)
- Kiri Kasama(Shared area)
Bauchi
- Alkaleri(Smaller presence)
Nasarawa
- Lafia(Smaller presence)
Plateau
- Wase(Smaller presence)

Areas are approximate and show where people live. They are not claims of land ownership.

Communities beyond the homeland

Maiduguri

Maiduguri, Borno State.^[7]High confidence

Founded in 1907 as a British military outpost on the seasonal Ngadda river. Its people are mostly Kanuri, with Hausa, Shuwa, Bura, Marghi and Fulani.^[7]

Kukawa

Kukawa, Borno State.^[8]High confidence

Founded as Kuka by al-Kanemi in 1814, capital of Bornu from 1846, a twin town of 60,000 or more at the end of the road to Tripoli; Rabih burned it in 1893.^[8]

Dikwa

Dikwa, Borno State.^[9]High confidence

Rabih's capital from 1893, then seat of German Borno and today of the Dikwa Emirate of the al-Kanemi line.^[9]

Birni Ngazargamu

Geidam, Yobe State.^[10]High confidence

Capital of Kanem–Bornu from its founding by Mai Ali Gaji in the 15th century until the Fulani took it in 1808; its rampart and red-brick remains are still visible near Geidam.^[10]

Language

Kanuri, a language of the Saharan family (Saharan › Western Saharan). ISO 639-3: knc.^[1]High confidence

Traditional ruler

Shehu of Borno, seated at Maiduguri.^[2]High confidence

In history

Kanem-BornuKanem-Bornu at its height, 1580

Sources

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

At a glance

Overview

Where the Kanuri live

Borno

Yobe

Jigawa

Bauchi

Nasarawa

Plateau