Muhammad VI Aminami

Muhammad VI^[b] (Muḥammad bin Idrīs^[2]), called Muhammad Aminami^[1][c] and Muhammad Dunamami,^[4][d] was mai (ruler) of the Kanem–Bornu Empire in the early-to-mid-16th century, ruling approximately 1525–1544.^[a] Muhammad was an accomlished warrior-king, though detailed historical accounts of most of his campaigns have been lost.

Muhammad VI Aminami
Mai of the Kanem–Bornu Empire
Reign	16th century (15–24 years) c. 1525–1544[a]
Predecessor	Idris III Katagarmabe
Successor	Ali II Zainami
Spouse	Fanna
Issue	Dunama VI Muhammad Ali Fannami
Dynasty	Sayfawa dynasty
Father	Idris III Katagarmabe
Mother	Zainab

Life

Muhammad was a son of mai Idris III Katagarmabe.^[3] His mother was named Zainab.^[3] Ali became mai in the first half of the 16th century, succeeding his father.^[2] Muhammad was an accomplished warrior-king and led successful military campaigns in all directions. Detailed historical accounts of most of these campaigns have not survived.^[5]

Merely 40 days after he became mai, Muhammad was forced to face an uprising led by Kade, a Bilala leader, who tried to restore the independence of the Bilala of Kanem (subjugated by Muhammad's father). Muhammad defeated Kade, and thus kept Kanem under imperial control.^[5] In one of his campaigns, Muhammad is said to have reached as far as Karbara in the west.^[5] Muhammad is recorded to have waged war against Kanta Kotal, the founder of the Kingdom of Kebbi.^[4]

Muhammad sent an embassy to Tripoli in 1534^[5] or 1535.^[4]

Muhammad ruled for over a decade, perhaps for over twenty years.^[a] He died at Ngazargamu^[5] and was succeeded as mai by his brother Ali II Zainami.^[2][3]

Notes

1. Different king lists (girgams) and chronicles translated in the 19th–20th centuries give Muhammad different regnal lengths: 15 years (Urvoy), 19 years (Barth, Palmer), or 24 years (Landeroin, Nachtigal).^[3] As a result of this, and due to different calculations for other mais, various dates have been given for his reign, including 1526–1545 (Barth), 1526/1527–1545 (Palmer), 1529–1544 (Urvoy), 1488–1512 (Landeroin), and 1492–1515 (Nachtigal).^[3] Cohen (1966) considered a reign of 20 years most likely.^[3] Later authors have tended to follow Barth and Palmer; Stewart (1989) gives Muhammad's reign as 1526–1545^[1] and Bosworth (2012) gives Muhammad's reign as 1525–1544.^[2]
2. Some chronologies of Kanem–Bornu rulers omit the 14th-century Muhammad II, lowering the regnal numbers of later rulers of this name. This ruler is then considered Muhammad V.^[1]
3. "Muhammad, son of Amina". This name is erroneously applied to Muhammad since his mother was named Zainab.^[3]
4. "Muhammad, son of Dunama".^[4] This name is erroneously applied to Muhammad since his father was named Idris.^[3]