Ghargham a kar mai-a Tarihi-a Aisa Kǝli Ngǝrmaram, 1497 – 1504 (The history, leadership and legacy of Aisa Kǝli Ngǝrmaram, 1497 – 1504)
OA Version
Citation
Kurfi, M. H., Hauwa U., Ngom, F., and Castro, E. (2020). African Ajami Library: Gender in Nigerian Ajami Manuscripts. Boston: Boston University Libraries: http://hdl.handle.net/2144/41953.
Abstract
This text written in 2018 is a rare Kanuri Ajami document. It contains a biography of the leadership and legacy of Aisa Kǝli Ngǝrmaram – the Kanem-Bornu legendary figure who ruled under the famous Sayfawa dynasty (1497–1504). Historically, the introduction of Arabic script to Northern Nigeria can be traced as far back as the 11th century, starting with the Kanuri people. This text starts with a brief history of the Sayfawa dynasty and then discusses the influence of the Kanem-Bornu empire in the region, highlighting the successes it had achieved, especially in spreading Islam. The document then deals with the life and legacy of Aisa Kǝli Ngǝrmaram. There are very few known written sources on Aisa Kǝli Ngǝrmaram. Oral traditions hold that this legendary figure played a significant role in the formation and ruling of the Kanem-Bornu Kingdom. Aisa Kǝli Ngǝrmaram was the mother of the famous ruler Mai [Emir/King] Idris Alooma, who was too young to reign at first, and as a result she ruled the Kingdom for seven years. It is reported that she would dress like a man to receive education amidst male counterparts and would go to the battlefields. It was believed that during her reign, the Kanem-Bornu had stabilized, which paved the way for her son to take over the mantle of leadership after her. Aisa Kǝli Ngǝrmaram was educated in the Islamic tradition and she mentored her son (the future king/Mai) to be educated in the tradition as well.
Description
The entire manuscript is available for download as a single PDF file. Higher-resolution images may be available upon request. For technical assistance, please contact open-help@bu.edu. Fieldwork Team: Dr. Mustapha Hashim Kurfi (Principal Investigator), Hauwa Usman (Local Project Manager), Alhaji Abubakar Maikudi Aishat (General Field Facilitator). Technical Team: Prof. Fallou Ngom (Project Director and the Former Director of African Studies Center), and Eleni Castro (Technical Lead, BU Libraries). These collections of Gender in Nigerian Ajami Manuscripts are copied as part of the African Studies Center’s Ajami Library.
Access Condition and Copyright: These materials are subject to copyright. All rights reserved to the author. For use, distribution or reproduction contact Professor Fallou Ngom (fngom@bu.edu).
Materials in this web edition may be cited as: Kurfi, M. H., Hauwa U., Ngom, F., and Castro, E. (2020). African Ajami Library: Gender in Nigerian Ajami Manuscripts. Boston: Boston University Libraries: http://hdl.handle.net/2144/41953. For Inquiries: Please Contact Professor Fallou Ngom (fngom@bu.edu).
Provenance / Custodial history: This document is owned by Shehu Shettima Buba Babagana of Maiduguri, Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria. It is complete and not bound. It is numbered using the Arabic numbering system. Typed with a machine, the author used the Mashriqi script.
Provenance / Custodial history: This document is owned by Shehu Shettima Buba Babagana of Maiduguri, Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria. It is complete and not bound. It is numbered using the Arabic numbering system. Typed with a machine, the author used the Mashriqi script.
License
These materials are subject to copyright. All rights reserved to the author. For use, distribution or reproduction contact Professor Fallou Ngom (fngom@bu.edu).