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Kingdom of Kanem

Type Object Region Central Africa Time 849–1399

The Kingdom of Kanem was a Central African power active around Lake Chad from the 9th to 14th century, founded by the Kanembu with Njimi as its capit…

Timeline

  1. 849–1099Njimi · ChadThe Kanembu founded the Kingdom of Kanem on the eastern shore of Lake Chad, establishing Njimi as capital and expanding their power on the lake's resources and a pastoral-agricultural economy.
  2. 1099–1199Njimi · ChadUnder the Dugu dynasty the kingdom's cavalry was strong, ties with the Muslim world of North Africa deepened, and Islam spread among the court and nobility.
  3. 1199–1299Njimi · ChadAfter the fall of the Dugu dynasty the Sayfawa dynasty rose; the kingdom continued to control trans-Saharan trade routes, but internal struggles among nobles intensified.
  4. 1299–1399Borno · Borno StateThe royal house moved west to Borno and integrated local powers; Kanem as a political entity gradually merged with Borno, forming the embryo of the Kanem-Bornu Empire.

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