1,500 YEARS OF KANEM-BORNU CALIPHATE

This Book gives a very brief history of the 1,500 years of Kanuri People from the period of the Kanuri progenitor Sayf Di Yazan (c.516-578 AD) to date. In addition, the Book briefly touches the history of the famous Kanem-Bornu Caliphate from its founding c.700 AD up to its British final occupation in 1907. The Pre-Islamic and the early Nominal Muslim Rulers of Kanem-Bornu had the local Titles of “Mai” (King) while the first very devout Muslim Ruler took the title of “Sultan” in 1075 AD, which was continued with the subsequent Rulers of Kanem-Bornu up to 1846 when the title of “Shehu” was introduced and is still being used. The Kingdoms, States and Fiefs that came under the rule or the influence of Kanem-Bornu, at one time or the other, historically combined to make it the largest of the Caliphates or Empires on the African Continent. In addition, the Duguwa, the Sayfawa and the Shehu Dynasties ruled Kanem-Bornu under Kanuri Hegemony from c.700 AD to 2023 AD (1,323 years) thereby making it the longest recorded un-interrupted Reign in African history. Kanem-Bornu was also the only ancient Caliphate or Empire in Africa that had Diplomatic Relations with the Ottomans of Turkey, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco. Rulers and Citizens of Borno and Yobe States in Nigeria stand as today’s Titular Leaders of the Great Kanem-Bornu Caliphate. It is therefore incumbent upon them to rise in the propagation of the positive virtues of that Great Caliphate, which was united by the Religion of Islam and strengthened by its diverse linguistic and cultural diversities, as are found today in Nigeria and in the Nations that once made up that wonderful Caliphate.