Ali Fannami
Regent of the Kanem–Bornu Empire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ali (ʿAlī bin Muḥammad), called Ali Fannami,[1][a] Ali Ghamarami,[2][b] and Ali Ngumaramma,[5] was a prince of the Sayfawa dynasty who may have served as regent of the Kanem–Bornu Empire in the mid-16th century, ruling in the name of his nephew mai Abdullah IV Dunamami. Ali was remembered in later tradition as a mighty builder.
| Ali Fannami | |
|---|---|
| Regent of the Kanem–Bornu Empire | |
| Burial | Garuza, Bornu |
| Dynasty | Sayfawa dynasty |
| Father | Muhammad VI Aminami |
| Mother | Fanna |
Life
Ali was a son of mai Muhammad VI Aminami[6][7] and Fanna,[2] and a full brother of mai Dunama VI Muhammad.[6] Some girgams (king lists) add Ali as a ruler of the empire between Dunama and Dunama's son Abdullah IV Dunamami.[2] Ali is most often interpreted as having served as regent for Abdullah,[7] then suggested to have been too young to rule, though the situation is not clear.[6]
The length of Ali's possible regency is unknown.[1] Ali was remembered as a "mighty builder". He is credited with building the settlement of Garuza (in modern-day Bauchi State, Nigeria) and was reportedly buried there.[2]