Borno Emirate

Origins

After Rabih az-Zubayr was killed in 1900, the French and British restored the al-Kanemi dynasty, rulers of the Kanem-Bornu Empire since the early 19th century. In 1902 Shehu Abubakar Garbai moved into British territory and was recognised as ruler of the British part of Bornu. In 1907 he founded a new capital at Yerwa, which grew into the city of Maiduguri.

Rule and society

Under indirect rule the shehu governed through district heads and Islamic courts, supervised by British officials of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria and later Colonial Nigeria. The emirate kept Bornu's court titles and its tradition as a centre of Islamic scholarship. Its economy rested on farming, cattle and trade across Lake Chad. Shehu Umar Sanda Kyarimi reigned from 1937 to 1968.

Decline and legacy

With Nigerian independence in 1960 the emirate became part of the Northern Region and later of Borno State. The Shehu of Borno remains one of the most senior traditional rulers in Nigeria.