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Masta Gumsumi

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Masta Gumsumi
Shehu of the Kanem–Bornu Empire
ReignDecember 1900 – February 1901
PredecessorAbubakar Garbai
SuccessorAbubakar Garbai
Died1904
Dikwa, German Cameroon
Dynastyal-Kanemi dynasty
FatherUmar

Muhammad al-Mustafa ibn Umar al-Kanemi,[1] called Masta Gumsumi,[1][2] Manta Kura,[1] and Abba Masta Kura,[3] was the penultimate shehu of the Kanem–Bornu Empire, ruling in 1900–1901.

Life

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Masta Gumsumi was a son of shehu Umar (r. 1837–1853 and 1854–1881).[4] On 6 December 1900, forces loyal to the shehu Abubakar Garbai were defeated in Ngala by the army of Fadlallah bin Rabih, a rival claimant to rule Bornu. In the aftermath of the battle, Abubakar Garbai's whereabouts were unknown for two months. Refugees from the battle appointed Masta Gumsumi as the new shehu,[3] though real power was in the hands of the eunuch-general Mestrema Musa.[2][3]

The French general Félix Adolphe Robillot [fr] intervened in favor of the al-Kanemi dynasts and retook the Kanem–Bornu capital of Dikwa from Fadlallah on 31 December.[3] When Abubakar Garbai returned in February 1901,[1] Masta Gumsumi fled from Dikwa[5] and Garbai was reinstalled as shehu.[2]

Masta Gumsumi later returned to Dikwa when it was under the control of shehu Sanda Mandarama. He died at Dikwa in 1904, survived by many children and grandchildren.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Lavers, John E. (1993). "The al-Kanimiyyin Shehus: a working chronology". Berichte des Sonderforschungsbereichs. 268 (2): 179–186.
  2. ^ a b c d Askira, Mohammed Dikko Bala (2008). The Rich Heritage of Borno: Brief Historical Background/biographical Data of the Past/present Royal Fathers in Borno State. MDBVentures. pp. 68–69. ISBN 978-978-187-642-4.
  3. ^ a b c d Lavers, John E. (1994). "The Awlad Rabih 22 April 1900 - 23 August 1901". Paideuma. 40: 215–242. ISSN 0078-7809. JSTOR 40341684.
  4. ^ Hogben, Sidney John (1967). An Introduction to the History of the Islamic States of Northern Nigeria. Oxford University Press. p. 180.
  5. ^ Sudanic Africa. Sudanic Africa. 1994. p. 222.