Editing Sultanate of Bagirmi

{{Short description|Former Islamic state in central Africa}}
{{Infobox country
| native_name            = 
| conventional_long_name = Sultanate of Bagirmi
| common_name            = Bagirmi|
| image_flag             = 
| image_coat             = 
| image_map              = Lake Chad region in 1890 - Bagirmi highlighted.svg
| image_map_caption      = Bagirmi (pink) in the [[Lake Chad]] region around 1890|
| status                 = [[State (polity)|State]] from<br>1522-1897<br>Currently a [[List of current non-sovereign African monarchs|non-sovereign monarchy]] within [[Chad]]
| era                    =
| area_sq_mi             = 70.000<ref name=":0"/>
| year_start             = 
| year_end               = 
| life_span              = 
| event_pre              = 
| date_pre               = 
| event_start            = Established
| date_start             = 1522
| event1                 = [[Islam]] becomes state religion
| date_event1            = 1568–1608
| event2                 = Conquered by [[Wadai Empire|Wadai]]
| date_event2            = 1805
| event3                 = Conquered by [[Rabih az-Zubayr]]
| date_event3            = 1893
| event4                 = French [[protectorate]] established
| date_event4            = 1897
| event5                 = [[François Tombalbaye|Tombalbaye]] abolishes the traditional kingdoms
| date_event5            = 1960
| event6                 = Bagirmi is reinstated
| date_event6            = 1970
| event_end              = 
| date_end               = 
| p1                     = 
| s1                     = French Chad
| flag_s1                = Flag of France.svg
| capital                = {{plainlist|
*[[Massenya]] <small>(1522–1893)</small>
*Chekna <small>(1893–1897)</small>}}
| national_motto         = 
| national_anthem        = 
| common_languages       = [[Bagirmi language|Bagirmi]]
| religion               = [[Islam]], [[African Traditional Religion]]
| currency               = [[Cowrie shells]]|
| title_leader           = [[List of rulers of Bagirmi|Mbang]], later [[Sultan]]
| leader1                = Abd al-Mahmud Begli/Birni Besse
| leader2                = [[Gaourang II]]{{efn|last [[sovereignty|sovereign]] monarch}}
| leader3                = [[Hadji Wola Mahamat]]
| year_leader1           = 1522–1536
| year_leader2           = 1885–1912
| year_leader3           = 2003-present
| stat_year1             = 
| stat_area1             = 
| stat_pop1              = 
}}

The '''Sultanate''' or '''Kingdom of Bagirmi''' ({{langx|fr|Royaume du Baguirmi}}) was an [[Islam]]ic [[sultan]]ate southeast of [[Lake Chad]] in [[Central Africa]]. It was founded in either 1522, a tributary to the [[Bornu Empire]] for much of its existence, and lasted until 1897. Its capital was [[Massenya]], north of the [[Chari River]] and close to the border to modern [[Cameroon]]. The kings had the title ''Mbang''. Bagirmi was first mentioned in a Bornu chronicle in 1578 as "Bakarmi".<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Zehnle |first=Stephanie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NZAwDwAAQBAJ |title=African Kingdoms: An Encyclopedia of Empires and Civilizations |date=2017-08-24 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-61069-580-0 |language=en |chapter=Bagirmi}}</ref>

Bagirmi regained full independence from Bornu in the 18th century. It was conquered by [[Wadai Sultanate|Wadai]] in 1805, and again by [[Sudan|Sudanese]] warlord [[Rabih az-Zubayr]] in 1893. In 1897 at the request of the ''mbang'' 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 a [[non-sovereign monarchy]] in Chad.

== History ==
[[File:Rytter fra Bagirmi.jpg|thumb|left|"Horseman from Bagirmi" by [[Dixon Denham]], 1823.]]
=== Origin and apogee ===
According to [[Bagirmi people|Bagirmi]] traditions, the kingdom emerged from a group of chiefdoms around 1522.<ref name=":8">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Bagirmi, Wadai, and Darfur |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of African History |publisher=[[Fitzroy Dearborn]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=umyHqvAErOAC&pg=PA636 |last=Collins |first=Robert |date=2005 |editor-last1=Shillington |editor-first1=Kevin |pages= |isbn=1-57958-245-1 }}</ref> 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 in [[Massenya]], the capital and economic centre of the state. The mosque and palace were built of stone, while houses were built of clay.<ref name=":0" /> Throughout the 16th century, the ''mbangs'' consolidated their heartland and made various small states their tributaries.<ref name=":8" /> Alongside the Bagirmi, the state's population included [[Fula people|Fula]], [[Kanuri people|Kanuri]], and [[Shuwa Arabs]].<ref name=":0" />

Bagirmi's emergence was mirrored by the emergence of other minor states also on the [[Bornu Empire]]'s southern border, such as [[Mandara Kingdom|Mandara]], [[Kotoko kingdom|Kotoko]], and [[Biu Emirate|Yamta]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Barkindo |first=Bawuro |url=https://archive.org/details/unesco_general_history_africa_v |title=General History of Africa V- Africa from the Sixteenth to the Eighteenth Century |date=1992 |chapter=Kanem-Borno: its relations with the Mediterranean sea, Bagirmi and other states in the Chad basin}}</ref>{{Rp|page=494}} Bornu, under the reign of [[Idris Alooma]] (1571-1602/3), embarked on conquering its smaller southern neighbours, and succeeded in absorbing Bagirmi.<ref name=":0" /> Encouraged by the Sefuwa of Bornu, some Komboli traders from Bagirmi settled in the [[Zamfara River|Zamfara Valley]].<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=501}} Bagirmi was heavily dependent on Bornu in order for them to engage in the [[trans-Saharan trade]].<ref name=":0" /> Bagirmi was a large provider of slaves for the [[trans-Saharan slave trade]], procured to their south.<ref name=":8" /> 

Under the reign of Mbang Abdullah (1568-1608), who was possibly supported to the throne by Bornu, the kingdom's court converted to [[Islam]], however most of the population continued to follow [[Traditional African religions|traditional religions]]. Abdullah rebelled against Bornu, inducing Alooma to invade, resulting Alooma's death in 1602 or 1603, reportedly assassinated by a [[Gamergu language|Gumergu]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=504}}  During the reign of Mbang Burkumanda (1635-1665) Bagirmi extended their influence north to [[Lake Chad]] and sent raiding parties into Bornu. Bagirmi expanded into the interior of the [[Chari River]].<ref name=":0" /> It is unclear whether Bagirmi's expansion was primarily motivated by the procurement of slaves. The emergence of [[Wadai Sultanate|Wadai]] as a major power in the 17th century checked Bagirmi's expansionism.<ref name=":8" /> Under Mbang Muhammad al-Amin (reigning from 1751-1785) Bagirmi regained their independence from Bornu after threatening attacks on their eastern frontier.<ref name=":0" />

=== Decline and colonisation ===
[[File:Le Mbang Gaourang (à gauche) et le Kolak Doudmourrah.jpg|thumb|right|The [[List of rulers of Baguirmi|Mbang]] [[Abd ar Rahman Gwaranga]] (left) with Wadai's [[Dud Murra of Wadai|Dud Murra]] (right)]]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 the ''mbang'' and their family, and 20,000 people were made prisoners and sold into slavery.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=Azevedo |first1=Mario J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xd9jDwAAQBAJ&dq=baguirmi&pg=PA88 |title=Historical Dictionary of Chad |last2=Decalo |first2=Samuel |date=2018-08-15 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-5381-1437-7 |language=en}}</ref>{{Rp|page=88}} Wadai placed the ''mbang''<nowiki/>'s son (Burkomanda) on the throne, and Bagirmi subsequently became a tributary.<ref>{{Citation |last=Saxon |first=Douglas E. |title=Wadai (Ouaddai) Empire |date=2016 |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Empire |pages=1–2 |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781118455074.wbeoe030 |access-date=2025-03-04 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons, Ltd |language=en |doi=10.1002/9781118455074.wbeoe030 |isbn=978-1-118-45507-4|url-access=subscription }}</ref> 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, warlord [[Rabih az-Zubayr]] conquered Baguirmi and burnt down its capital Massenya. Mbang [[Abd ar-Rahman Gaourang II]] appealed to the French for support, making Bagirmi a French protectorate after the signing of a treaty in 1897.<ref name=":8" /> 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.<ref name=":0" />

=== Post-independence ===
After Chad's independence in 1960, the [[Tombalbaye government|Tombalbaye regime]] abolished the country's [[Non-sovereign monarchy|non-sovereign monarchies]]. The policy was reversed in 1970 on the recommendations of the French Mission de Reforme Administrative (MRA), however after the overthrow of [[Tombalbaye]] the ''mbang''<nowiki/>'s powers were again curtailed.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=88}} In March 2010, the Sultan of Baguirmi, Mbang [[Hadji Woli Mahamat]] (reigning since 2003)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alwihda |first=Info |title=Tchad : le sultan du Baguirmi se défend contre les accusations et affirme son héritage légitime |url=https://www.alwihdainfo.com/Tchad-le-sultan-du-Baguirmi-se-defend-contre-les-accusations-et-affirme-son-heritage-legitime_a122376.html |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Alwihda Info - Actualités TCHAD, Afrique, International |language=fr}}</ref> was reinstated in his functions by the Chadian Minister of the Interior and Public Security.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 March 2010 |title=Tchad : Le sultan du Baguirmi réhabilité dans ses fonctions par le ministre de l'intérieur |url=https://www.alwihdainfo.com/notes/Tchad-Le-sultan-du-Baguirmi-rehabilite-dans-ses-fonctions-par-le-ministre-de-l-interieur_b1920676.html |access-date=24 January 2025 |work=al wihda info}}</ref>

== Economy, society, and government ==
Bagirmi was a large provider of slaves for the [[trans-Saharan slave trade]], procured to their south,<ref name=":8" /> however they also exported animal skins, ivory, and cotton. Imports were copper and [[cowrie shells]], which were used as their currency.<ref name=":0" /> Slavery was fundamental to the economy, and [[chattel slaves]] were exported. Agricultural labourers worked on local estates, and retainers worked for the ''mbangs'' and their officials (the ''maladonoge''). Bagirmi specialised in procuring [[Eunuch|eunuchs]] for the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]].<ref name=":8" /> According to some sources, slavery was considered a phase of life after which people would return to their normal lives.<ref name=":0" />

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 by ''ngars''. Professional guilds had their own leaders with titles.<ref name=":0" /> 

In 1850, Massenya had a population of 15,000.<ref name=":0" />

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== See also ==
* [[Rulers of Bagirmi]]
* [[History of Chad]]
* [[Bagirmi people]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{citation |ref=none |last=Lebeuf |first=Annie M.D. |date=1978 |contribution=L'ancien royaume du Baguirmi |title=Mondes et Cultures |volume=38, No.&nbsp;3 |pages=437–443 |language=fr}}
* {{citation|ref=none  |last=N'Gare |first=Ahmed |date=1997 |contribution=Le royaume du Baguirmi (XVe–XXe siècles) |title=Hemispheres |number=11 |pages=27–31 |language=fr}}
* {{citation|ref=none |contribution=Chad |contribution-url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/tdtoc.html |title=Country Studies |publisher=Library of Congress |location=[[Washington, DC|Washington]] }}.

{{Sahelian kingdoms}}
{{Chad topics}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bagirmi, Sultanate}}
[[Category:2nd millennium in Chad]]
[[Category:Former Islamic monarchies]]
[[Category:Countries in precolonial Africa]]
[[Category:History of Central Africa]]
[[Category:Sultanates]]
[[Category:Kanem–Bornu Empire]]
[[Category:French Equatorial Africa]]
[[Category:16th century in Africa]]
[[Category:17th century in Africa]]
[[Category:Former countries]]
[[Category:Former sultanates]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1897]]