Idris I of Kanem

Idris I (Idrīs bin Ibrāhīm Nikale^[1]), also known as Hajj-Idris (al-Ḥājj Idrīs),^[2] was the mai of the Kanem–Bornu Empire in 1329–1353.^[1]

Idris I
Mai of the Kanem–Bornu Empire
Reign	1329–1353
Predecessor	Muhammad I
Successor	Dawud
Spouse	Famafa
Issue	Othman II Omar I Sa'id (?) Muhammad II Kade II Afunu Bir III Othman
Dynasty	Sayfawa dynasty
Father	Ibrahim I Nikale
Mother	Hafsa

Life

Idris was the son of Ibrahim I Nikale and Hafsa.^[3] He succeeded his second cousin Muhammad I^[3] as mai in 1329,^[1] after Muhammad's death in battle against the Sao.^[2][4] The Sao lived south of Lake Chad^[4] and had risen up in the reign of Selema (r. 1322–1326). The wars against the Sao had in quick succession claimed the lives of four mais prior to Idris's accession: Selema, Kuri I Gana, Kuri II Kura, and Muhammad I.^[2] It is unknown if Idris was more successful against the Sao than his predecessors and little is known of his reign overall.^[2]

Idris at one point made a pilgrimage to Mecca, and is therefore also called Haj Idris.^[2]

Idris had a consort named Famafa, and had several sons who would later compete for the throne.^[3] Idris was succeeded as mai by his brother Dawud^[3] in 1353.^[1]