27 Facts About Idris Alooma

Al-Haj Idris Alooma was born on Idris ibn Ali) was Mai of the Bornu empire (r.

Idris Alooma's achievements are primarily chronicled by Ahmad bin Fartuwa, his chief Imam.

Idris Alooma's reign marked the end of the Kanem civil wars within the state, reuniting N'jimi, the former capital, under Sayfawa control.

Idris Alooma was credited with leading the empire to what is often regarded as its zenith during the late 16th-century and early 17th-century.

Historian Dr Remi Dewiere suggests that Idris Alooma strategically exploited the rivalry between Morocco and the Ottoman Empire to reclaim Fezzan.

The reign of Idris Alooma is the best documented of all of the Sayfawa rulers owing to his chief Imam, Ahmad ibn Fartuwa, who recorded the first twelve years of his reign.

Idris Alooma introduced a number of legal and administrative reforms based on Islamic law.

Idris Alooma established qadi courts to oversee legal proceedings, effectively separating the judiciary from the executive branch.

Idris Alooma sponsored the construction of numerous mosques and introduced the use of fired red mud bricks in these constructions.

Idris Alooma introduced the use of large boats capable of crossing the Lake Chad 'rapidly' replacing the smaller gagara boats from 'ancient times' which took two to three days to make the same journey.

Idris Alooma took a keen interest in trade and other economic matters.

Idris Alooma was credited with having cleared the roads, designed better boats for Lake Chad, introduced standard units of measure for grain, and moving farmers into new lands.

One of the most well known aspects of Idris Alooma's legacy was his extensive military expeditions and innovations.

Idris Alooma employed Turkish military advisers to train his gunmen so they fully utilise his newly acquire muskets.

Idris Alooma implemented the widespread establishment of ribats, fortified military posts, to uphold his authority and secure control across the entirety of Bornu.

Idris Alooma placed a particular importance to the effective use of time.

Idris Alooma's armies were meticulously organised and he coordinated the movements of large formations, concentrating them at crucial points, and dispersing them to prevent the strain on the limited food resources of semi-arid regions.

Idris Alooma's armies conducted far-reaching campaigns that covered a vast geographical expanse, ranging from the Fezzan region in southern Libya to the Kawar region in northern Niger, the Kanem region in eastern Chad, the Mandara region in northern Cameroon, and even as far as Hausaland in northern Nigeria, reaching as distant as Kano.

The people of Amsaka responded by hurling spears, rocks, burning thatch, and pots of boiling human waste at Idris Alooma's men filling the trench, but these efforts proved ineffective.

Each night, the people of Amsaka would attempt to remove the bundles of guinea corn stalks that Idris Alooma's army had placed in the trench.

Idris Alooma ordered the construction of high platforms around the city, from which his musketeers could fire into Amsaka and provide cover for the trench fillers.

Once the trench was successfully filled, Mai Idris Alooma commanded that the wooden stockade surrounding the city be chopped down, ultimately leading to the dismantling of Amsaka's defenses.

Idris Alooma ordered the complete destruction of the town and the slaughter of all its inhabitants.

Idris Alooma led 'systematic efforts' to reduce Kanem to submission and eventually, a peace agreement was reached with Abdullah, the Mai of Kanem, and two pieces of document were written and signed.

Idris Alooma left behind a strong party of local dignitaries, who were primarily Shuwa Arabs, to support Muhammad's governance.

Mai Idris Alooma was killed around Maiduguri by a 'pagan' archer who was hidden on top a tree.

Idris Alooma was buried in the middle of the Alau Lake, whence his nickname Alau-ma or Aloo-ma.