Chronology of the Sefuwa (Kanem-Bornu)

The Chronology of the Sefuwa (Kanem-Bornu) concerns the rule of the Sefuwa dynasty first over Kanem, then over Kanem-Bornu and finally, since c. 1380, over Bornu alone. African historians presently use several conflicting chronologies for the history of Kanem-Bornu. Below the general principals for such a chronology are established and a list of the main kings of the Empire with the conflicting chronologies is provided.

Dating the kings of Kanem-Bornu

The Chronology of the Sefuwa kings of Kanem-Bornu has been dealt with on the basis of the lengths of reign provided by the dynastic records of the Sefuwa for the successive kings (mai) found in the Girgam.

Name of the king (mai)	Barth 1857	Palmer 1936	Urvoy 1941
(12) Hume	1086–1097	1086–1097	1085–1097
(17) Dunama Dibbalemi	1221–1259	1221–1259	1210–1224
(48) Ali Gajideni	1472–1504	1476–1503	1473–1507
(49) Idris Katakarmabe	1504–1526	1503–1526	1507–1529
(54) Idris Alauma	1571–1603	1570-1602/3	1580–1616

Bibliography

• Barth, Heinrich (1858). "Chronological table, containing a list of the Sefuwa", in: Travel and Discoveries in North and Central Africa. Vol. II, New York, 581-602.
• Palmer, Herbert Richmond (1936). Bornu Sahara and Sudan. London.
• Urvoy, Yves (1941). "Chronologie du Bornou", Journal de la Société des Africanistes, 11, 21-31.

External links

• Chronology, ed. 1911; see also Encyclopædia Britannica, 4th ed., Chicago 1980, vol. 4, 572-582.
• Regnal Chronologies
• Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "General Chronology" . Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

See also

• Bornu Empire
• Kanem Empire
• Sayfawa dynasty