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Bornu Empire |
Another empire that must be mentioned is the Bornu empire. It would begin in the year 1380 and survive until 1893. It was basically a continuation of the Kanem empire which had been destroyed by internal conflicts and wars. Bornu is most famous for it's military especially under Idris Alooma. Idris Alooma was born in the year 1580. It is said that he claimed victories in 330 wars and 1,000 battles. He would bring many new forms of military innovations to Bornu such as military camps with walls, scorched earth tactics, armored horses and knights, Berber camel riders, Kotoko boatmen, and finally musketeers with iron helmets. The musket is an early form of gun. He also established relations with Tripoli, Egypt and the Ottoman empire. The Ottoman empire also sent a 200 man ambassadorial party to Alooma's court. Alooma was also a devout Muslim who ordered the construction of many mosques and also made a pilgrimage to Mecca. Aloom died in 1617. He had succeeded in making Bornu so safe that it was claimed that "a lone woman clad in gold might walk with none to fear but God". Idris Aloomas military genius and political reforms helped keep the Bornu empire strong up until the mid 17th century. However once again invasions and poor leadership weakened the empire and the state was eventually taken over by the British. However the strength of this empire was so great that it still even exists today to an extent as the Borno Emirate. The Borno Emirate today is even ruled by descendants of the old Bornu Empire and rule traditionally like their ancestors did.
