16th century – 16th century
Bornu, Central Sudan
Idris Aloma was a sixteenth-century mai of Bornu and the best-known pre-nineteenth-century ruler of the Saifawa dynasty in the surviving historical record described here. He continued Bornu’s engagement with Kanem and the Bulala and ruled during a period when the state renewed contacts with Air, Tripoli, and the Ottoman Turks.
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The Story
Idris Aloma became mai of Bornu in 1569/70, at a time when the Saifawa state was renewing its northern connections. The passage identifies him as the best-known Saifawa ruler before the nineteenth century, largely because of the work of his chronicler, Ibn Fartuwa. His reign therefore occupies a prominent place in the recorded history of Bornu.
Aloma continued the military and political traditions of Bornu. The passage refers to raids into Kanem and to the continuing importance of warfare with the Bulala, while emphasizing that such campaigns were not necessarily intended to restore permanent Saifawa rule at Njimi. Bornu had developed into a new society and state since the migration from Kanem.
His accession belongs to a period of wider diplomatic activity. Bornu had entered a tributary relationship with Air according to one report and had established relations with Tripoli, more certainly with the Ottoman Turks after their expulsion of the Knights of St John. These connections placed Aloma’s reign within a broader network joining the central Sudan to North Africa.
16th century – 16th century
Bornu, Central Sudan
Idris Aloma was a sixteenth-century mai of Bornu and the best-known pre-nineteenth-century ruler of the Saifawa dynasty in the surviving historical record described here. He continued Bornu’s engagement with Kanem and the Bulala and ruled during a period when the state renewed contacts with Air, Tripoli, and the Ottoman Turks.
Continue exploring
The Story
Idris Aloma became mai of Bornu in 1569/70, at a time when the Saifawa state was renewing its northern connections. The passage identifies him as the best-known Saifawa ruler before the nineteenth century, largely because of the work of his chronicler, Ibn Fartuwa. His reign therefore occupies a prominent place in the recorded history of Bornu.
Aloma continued the military and political traditions of Bornu. The passage refers to raids into Kanem and to the continuing importance of warfare with the Bulala, while emphasizing that such campaigns were not necessarily intended to restore permanent Saifawa rule at Njimi. Bornu had developed into a new society and state since the migration from Kanem.
His accession belongs to a period of wider diplomatic activity. Bornu had entered a tributary relationship with Air according to one report and had established relations with Tripoli, more certainly with the Ottoman Turks after their expulsion of the Knights of St John. These connections placed Aloma’s reign within a broader network joining the central Sudan to North Africa.
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