Paper 1: Kanem-Bornu
Kanem-Bornu: The Forgotten Empire
Takumi Murayama
January 6, 2006
Throughout Africa, many different kingdoms and empires rose, fell, and flourished. During this time before the European colonies, one of these many empires was the empire of Kanem-Bornu. Kanem-Bornu was one of the largest of these empires, with an area larger than that of Western Europe (Martin 83). It was located around Lake Chad in the interior of Africa, including present-day south Chad, north Cameroon, northeast Nigeria, east Niger, and south Libya (Davidson 307, Encyclopædia Britanica). However, Kanem-Bornu, while a major trade center in the Sahara desert, is frequently forgotten, ignored, and overlooked by historical documentation.
Kanem-Bornu has a very extensive history as a major trading empire(Diagram Group 41). According to legend, Kanem-Bornu was founded in 800 C.E. by an Arab named Dugu. The Kanembu people of this region were ruled by the Sayfuwu and Duguwa dynasties (Bornu, Diagram Group 41). At its height in 1230, Kanem-Bornu had a population of at least 10 million people (Martin 83). These people spoke the Kanuri language, and the government forced other conquered peoples to speak Kanuri as well. The capital was located in the city of Njimi, and later was relocated to Birni Ngazargamu (Bornu, Encyclopædia Britannica). The empire is noted for being “able [to] successfully…withstand external aggressions” (Martin 82). An example of resistance is the opposition against the European imperialists during the 1830s (Kasule 78). Finally, in the 1900s, Kanem-Bornu was colonized by Great Britain, and Kanem-Bornu was gone forever, including the most powerful military in Africa (Bornu, Davidson 307).
The military of Kanem-Bornu was so well known that Europe even knew about it in the 16th century. These warriors were much like the middle-age knights of Europe, with a cavalry that traveled in formation “with great precision and expertness.” According to an early British report, they wore “coats of mail composed of iron chain, which covered them from the throat to the knees.” (Davidson 307) One would think that the British reporter was afraid of these fierce warriors. This army was also able to drive Songhai from present-day Niger, and create a territory of hundreds of square miles (Zurlo 26-27). This large territory increased the number of neighbors, resulting in trade and the introduction of Islam.
Kanem-Bornu’s thriving trade was the result of converting to Islam in 1150 (Diagram Group 41). Islam was encountered first when Berber merchants traveled to the empire in the 800s. Like other kingdoms and empires, the conversion to Islam united the people of Kanem-Bornu with themselves and others. (Esposito III-181) Kanem-Bornu’s location also made it a center of Islamic civilization. The ties with other kingdoms increased, resulting in trade between them. Exports included precious items such as ivory, slaves, eunuchs, livestock, saffron-dyed cloth, gold from local mines, and kola nuts. In exchange, Kanem-Bornu received necessities such as salt from the north, copper, metal tools, and horses. The fall of Songhai in 1591 made Kanem-Bornu the most powerful empire in sub-Saharan Africa, and total trade controls was theirs. (Diagram Group 41, Encyclopedia of African History and Culture) Kanem-Bornu became very wealthy because of this trade between other kingdoms, especially the west Saharan kingdoms nearby, the Nile/Red Sea area, and the original trade partner, Tripoli (McEvedy 46). Wealth is fame, is it not? Kanem-Bornu was rich, so fame should have followed suit (Diagram Group 41). One should recognize, notice, and pay more attention to the empire.
It is peculiar how Kanem-Bornu is overshadowed, ignored, and forgotten. This is true even though the empire had much control, a longer lifetime than other kingdoms, and even feared by Europeans such as the British (Bornu, Davidson 307, Kasule 46). Ignoring such an important and large empire is analogous to leaving out India. India and Kanem-Bornu both had long histories and large territories. However, there are many books on the subject of India, while the subject of Kanem-Bornu is rarely discussed in books.
Despite its great achievements, Kanem-Bornu is still discussed sparingly. Sources rarely explain Kanem-Bornu by itself, and instead reference with a short description among a multitude of other kingdoms. Perhaps, Kanem-Bornu did not have intricate artifacts and art, fantastic ruins, buried treasure, or any written records. However, these details do not merit how the empire is overlooked so often. Such a great military, trade, and religious power should have been the fantastic example of empire to replicate. After all, Kanem-Bornu was the “grandest and most enduring of all the West African states” (Martin 82).
Works Cited
- “Bornu.” Africa: An Encyclopedia for Students. 2002 ed.
This source provided a general overview of the history, trade, and achievements of Kanem-Bornu. Not recommended for it is unorthodox; Kanem and Bornu were talked about separately.
- Davidson, Basil. African Kingdoms. New York: Time Incorporated, 1966.
This source provided interesting information focused upon Military and Trade. It had a richer, more intelligent vocabulary and language, and is recommended as a source of quotes.
- Diagram Group. Peoples of West Africa. New York: Diagram Book, 1997.
More of a childrens’ book. Easy to read, full of pictures, easy to understand. Recommended for easy reading.
- Esposito, John L. The Islamic World: Past and Present. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2004.
Excellent for Islam projects, but not for kingdom of Africa projects. Not enough information about kingdoms and empires of Africa. When doing an Islam project, this is a must, but is not suited for projects about African kingdoms.
- “Kanem-Bornu.” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2002 fifteenth ed.
More general information. Rather close to other sources. However, being an encyclopedia source, the information was short, concise, and easy to read. Recommended as a first source to get started.
- “Kanem-Bornu.” Encyclopedia of African History and Culture. 2001 ed.
Good basic information, but already researched information is there. Some interesting things were added to the pool of knowledge, including the exportation of eunuchs, and form of government. Recommended for basic information.
- Kasule, Samuel. Macmillan History of Africa. New York: Macmillan, Inc., 1998.
This was mostly a repeat of what was already researched. Not recommended for it has some missing/slightly off information.
- Ed. Martin, Phyllis M. and Patrick O’Meara. Africa. 3rd ed. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana UP, 1995.
This source also provided a general description, but with greater detail than that of Source 1. Helpful items included location, quotes, a population figure, and a size descriptor. Also recommended as an early source to get started.
- McEvedy, Colin. The Penguin Atlas of African History. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, Ltd., 1980.
Pretty, with many maps and illustrations. Easy to understand, and in chronological order instead of the by-kingdom/empire order used by other sources. Recommended for its ease of use, interesting facts, and excellent index.
- Zurlo, Tony. West Africa. San Diego: Lucent Books, Inc., 2002.
Interesting trade and military information, but may include exaggerations. Not recommended, as prior knowledge of the area is needed.
1 Comments:
Excellent sources listed. Perhaps someone like you will piece together a book with all of the civilization's achievements (if someone dosen't beat you to it)
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