Sultanate of Bagirmi | |||||||
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 Bagirmi (pink) in theLake Chad region around 1890 | |||||||
| Status | State from 1522-1897 Currently anon-sovereign monarchy withinChad | ||||||
| Capital |
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| Common languages | Bagirmi | ||||||
| Religion | Islam,African Traditional Religion | ||||||
| Mbang, laterSultan | |||||||
• 1522–1536 | Abd al-Mahmud Begli/Birni Besse | ||||||
• 1885–1912 | Gaourang II[a] | ||||||
• 2003-present | Hadji Wola Mahamat | ||||||
| History | |||||||
• Established | 1522 | ||||||
• Islam becomes state religion | 1568–1608 | ||||||
• Conquered byWadai | 1805 | ||||||
• Conquered byRabih az-Zubayr | 1893 | ||||||
• Frenchprotectorate established | 1897 | ||||||
• Tombalbaye abolishes the traditional kingdoms | 1960 | ||||||
• Bagirmi is reinstated | 1970 | ||||||
| Area | |||||||
• Total | 70.000[1] sq mi (181.30 km2) | ||||||
| Currency | Cowrie shells | ||||||
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TheSultanate orKingdom of Bagirmi (French:Royaume du Baguirmi) was anIslamicsultanate southeast ofLake Chad inCentral Africa. Founded in 1522, it was a tributary to theBornu Empire for much of its existence, and lasted until 1897. Its capital wasMassenya, north of theChari River and close to the border to modernCameroon. The kings had the titleMbang. Bagirmi was first mentioned in a Bornu chronicle in 1578 as "Bakarmi".[1]
Bagirmi regained full independence from Bornu in the 18th century. It was conquered byWadai in 1805, and again bySudanese warlordRabih az-Zubayr in 1893. In 1897 at the request of thembang it became a French protectorate, and, after the killing of az-Zubayr and disintegration of his state, a French colony in 1902. The Sultanate continues to exist as anon-sovereign monarchy in Chad.
According toBagirmi traditions, the kingdom emerged from a group of chiefdoms around 1522.[2] Some king lists hold Mbang Birni Besse as its founder (reigning from 1522) , however others consider it to have been Abd al-Mahmud Begli (reigning from 1493-1503). Begli and his successor oversaw the construction of a palace and courthouse inMassenya, the capital and economic centre of the state. The mosque and palace were built of stone, while houses were built of clay.[1] Throughout the 16th century, thembangs consolidated their heartland and made various small states their tributaries.[2] Alongside the Bagirmi, the state's population includedFula,Kanuri, andShuwa Arabs.[1]
Bagirmi's emergence was mirrored by the emergence of other minor states also on theBornu Empire's southern border, such asMandara,Kotoko, andYamta.[3]: 494 Bornu, under the reign ofIdris Alooma (1571-1602/3), embarked on conquering its smaller southern neighbours, and succeeded in absorbing Bagirmi.[1] Encouraged by the Sefuwa of Bornu, some Komboli traders from Bagirmi settled in theZamfara Valley.[3]: 501 Bagirmi was heavily dependent on Bornu in order for them to engage in thetrans-Saharan trade.[1] Bagirmi was a large provider of slaves for thetrans-Saharan slave trade, procured to their south.[2]
Under the reign of Mbang Abdullah (1568-1608), who was possibly supported to the throne by Bornu, the kingdom's court converted toIslam, however most of the population continued to followtraditional religions. Abdullah rebelled against Bornu, inducing Alooma to invade, resulting Alooma's death in 1602 or 1603, reportedly assassinated by aGumergu.[1][3]: 504 During the reign of Mbang Burkumanda (1635-1665) Bagirmi extended their influence north toLake Chad and sent raiding parties into Bornu. Bagirmi expanded into the interior of theChari River.[1] It is unclear whether Bagirmi's expansion was primarily motivated by the procurement of slaves. The emergence ofWadai as a major power in the 17th century checked Bagirmi's expansionism.[2] Under Mbang Muhammad al-Amin (reigning from 1751-1785) Bagirmi regained their independence from Bornu after threatening attacks on their eastern frontier.[1]
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Bagirmi declined during the late 18th century and by the turn of the 19th century had lost most of its tributaries. Wadai took advantage of this and invaded in 1805. They sacked Massenya, killed thembang and their family, and 20,000 people were made prisoners and sold into slavery.[1][4]: 88 Wadai placed thembang's son (Burkomanda) on the throne, and Bagirmi subsequently became a tributary.[5] Throughout the 19th century, various European travellers and explorers visited Bagirmi and wrote about it. Bagirmi was again invaded by Wadai in 1870 and Massenya partly destroyed. Internal conflicts weakened the state further. In 1893, warlordRabih az-Zubayr conquered Baguirmi and burnt down its capital Massenya. MbangAbd ar-Rahman Gaourang II appealed to the French for support, making Bagirmi a French protectorate after the signing of a treaty in 1897.[2] In 1900 the combined forces of the French and Bagirmi killed az-Zubayr, causing the disintegration of his state. The Bagirmi Protectorate became a colony in 1902.[1]
After Chad's independence in 1960, theTombalbaye regime abolished the country'snon-sovereign monarchies. The policy was reversed in 1970 on the recommendations of the French Mission de Reforme Administrative (MRA), however after the overthrow ofTombalbaye thembang's powers were again curtailed.[4]: 88 In March 2010, the Sultan of Baguirmi, MbangHadji Woli Mahamat (reigning since 2003)[6] was reinstated in his functions by the Chadian Minister of the Interior and Public Security.[7]
Bagirmi was a large provider of slaves for thetrans-Saharan slave trade, procured to their south,[2] however they also exported animal skins, ivory, and cotton. Imports were copper andcowrie shells, which were used as their currency.[1] Slavery was fundamental to the economy, andchattel slaves were exported. Agricultural labourers worked on local estates, and retainers worked for thembangs and their officials (themaladonoge). Bagirmi specialised in procuringeunuchs for theOttomans.[2] According to some sources, slavery was considered a phase of life after which people would return to their normal lives.[1]
Bagirmi also received tribute from various smaller states and nomadic peoples in the form of slaves. Tributaries often adopted Bagirmi culture and sent elite youth to Massenya's court for education. Tributaries under direct rule were governed byngars. Professional guilds had their own leaders with titles.[1]
In 1850, Massenya had a population of 15,000.[1]
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