Sa'id of Bornu

Saʽid (Saʽīd bin Idrīs^[1]) was the mai of the Kanem–Bornu Empire in 1387–1388,^[1] ruling during a century-long chaotic period of internal and external conflict.

Saʽid
Mai of the Kanem–Bornu Empire
Reign	1387–1388
Predecessor	Omar I
Successor	Muhammad II
Dynasty	Sayfawa dynasty
Father	Idris I (?)

Life

Saʽid succeeded Omar I as mai in 1388.^[1] Nearly all sources agree that Saʽid was a son of mai Idris I, and thus a brother of Omar.^[2] Heinrich Barth, on unclear grounds, however designated Saʽid as a usurper^[2] and stated that his parentage was unknown.^[3] Dierk Lange, likewise on unclear grounds, designated Saʽid as a son of Idris's brother Dawud.^[4]

The century following the reign of Omar, which had seen the loss of the imperial heartland of Kanem to the Bilala and the re-centering of the empire in Bornu, was a chaotic time of internal and external conflict.^[2][3] The empire did not even have a formal capital, with the court of the mai constantly moving from one site to another.^[5] Saʽid ruled very briefly, as the Bilala launched an invasion into Bornu as well. Saʽid was killed by the invaders near a site called Dekakiya.^[3] Saʽid was succeeded as mai by Muhammad II,^[1][2] another son of Idris I.^[2]