Muhammad VI Aminami
| Muhammad VI Aminami | |
|---|---|
| Mai of the Kanem–Bornu Empire | |
| Reign | 16th century (15–24 years) c. 1525–1544[a] |
| Predecessor | Idris III Katagarmabe |
| Successor | Ali II Zainami |
| Died | c. 1544 Ngazargamu, Bornu |
| Spouse | Fanna |
| Issue | Dunama VI Muhammad Ali Fannami |
| Dynasty | Sayfawa dynasty |
| Father | Idris III Katagarmabe |
| Mother | Zainab |
Muhammad VI[b] (Muḥammad bin Idrīs[2]), called Muhammad Aminami[1][c] and Muhammad Dunamami,[4][d] was mai (ruler) of the Kanem–Bornu Empire in the early-to-mid-16th century, ruling approximately 1525–1544.[a] Muhammad was an accomlished warrior-king, though detailed historical accounts of most of his campaigns have been lost.
Life
[edit]Muhammad was a son of mai Idris III Katagarmabe.[3] His mother was named Zainab.[3] Ali became mai in the first half of the 16th century, succeeding his father.[2] Muhammad was an accomplished warrior-king and led successful military campaigns in all directions. Detailed historical accounts of most of these campaigns have not survived.[5]
Merely 40 days after he became mai, Muhammad was forced to face an uprising led by Kade, a Bilala leader, who tried to restore the independence of the Bilala of Kanem (subjugated by Muhammad's father).[5] Muhammad defeated and killed Kade in battle at Lada, west of Ngazargamu.[6] Kade's successor renewed the Bilala's oath of fealty to the empire[6] and Kanem was thus kept under imperial control.[5] In one of his campaigns, Muhammad is said to have reached as far as Karbara in the west.[5] Muhammad is recorded to have waged war against Kanta Kotal, the founder of the Kingdom of Kebbi.[4]
Muhammad sent an embassy to Tripoli in 1534[5] or 1535.[4]
Muhammad ruled for over a decade, perhaps for over twenty years.[a] He died at Ngazargamu[5] and was succeeded as mai by his brother Ali II Zainami.[2][3]
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c Different king lists (girgams) and chronicles translated in the 19th–20th centuries give Muhammad different regnal lengths: 15 years (Urvoy), 19 years (Barth, Palmer), or 24 years (Landeroin, Nachtigal).[3] As a result of this, and due to different calculations for other mais, various dates have been given for his reign, including 1526–1545 (Barth), 1526/1527–1545 (Palmer), 1529–1544 (Urvoy), 1488–1512 (Landeroin), and 1492–1515 (Nachtigal).[3] Cohen (1966) considered a reign of 20 years most likely.[3] Later authors have tended to follow Barth and Palmer; Stewart (1989) gives Muhammad's reign as 1526–1545[1] and Bosworth (2012) gives Muhammad's reign as 1525–1544.[2]
- ^ Some chronologies of Kanem–Bornu rulers omit the 14th-century Muhammad II, lowering the regnal numbers of later rulers of this name. This ruler is then considered Muhammad V.[1]
- ^ "Muhammad, son of Amina". This name is erroneously applied to Muhammad since his mother was named Zainab.[3]
- ^ "Muhammad, son of Dunama".[4] This name is erroneously applied to Muhammad since his father was named Idris.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Stewart, John (1989). African States and Rulers: An Encyclopedia of Native, Colonial and Independent States and Rulers Past and Present. McFarland & Company. p. 35.
- ^ a b c d Bosworth, Clifford Edmund (2012) [1996]. The New Islamic Dynasties: A Chronological and Genealogical Manual. Edinburgh University Press. p. 127. ISBN 0-7486-2137-7.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Cohen, Ronald (1966). "The Bornu King Lists". Boston University Papers on Africa: Volume II: African History. Boston University Press. pp. 59, 64, 81.
- ^ a b c d Palmer, H. R. (1912). "The Bornu Girgam". Journal of the Royal African Society. 12 (45): 78–79. ISSN 0368-4016.
- ^ a b c d e f Barth, Heinrich (1857). Travels and Discoveries in North and Central Africa: Being a Journal of an Expedition Undertaken under the Auspices of H.B.M.'s Government, in the Years 1849–1855. Longmans. pp. 646–649.
- ^ a b Lange, Dierk (2012). "Idris Katakarmabe". Dictionary of African Biography. Oxford University Press. pp. 144–145. ISBN 978-0-19-538207-5.