Wars with the Fulani Dunama was a son of
mai Ahmad Alimi. In 1807 at the latest, the Kanem–Bornu Empire became threatened by the
Fula jihads. Under Dunama's father
Ahmad Alimi, the Fulani captured and destroyed the capital of
Ngazargamu in 1808 and occupied and devastated much of the southern and western parts of the empire. and reconquer Ngzargamu. The people recognised al-Kanemi's role in the campaign and praise of his deeds spread throughout the empire. In return for his efforts, al-Kanemi was rewarded with money, slaves, and cattle, and he then returned to his former religious pursuits at Ngala. Dunama re-established himself at what remained of Ngazargamu and began campaigns to pacify the countryside. In the latter half of 1809, the Fulani leader
Ibrahim Zaki marched from
Katagum, heading for Ngazargamu. Dunama fled the capital and sought the assistance of al-Kanemi again. Once their army returned to Ngazargamu, they found the site abandoned, Zaki having returned to Katagum. The Fulani leader
Muhammad Manga (son of
Goni Mukhtar, who had captured Ngazargamu in 1808) then attacked the empire. Manga's invasion was faced by al-Kanemi, who kept him away from Ngazargamu but failed to meet him in a decisive battle.
Deposition Due to the repeated threats to Ngazargamu, Dunama decided not to return to the former capital, moving closer to Lake Chad in the east. Dunama was unable to decide upon a new permanent site, instead shifting his residence every few months. The
mai's itinerant life inspired the ire of the populace, who gave him the derisive nickname "the
mai of the
calabash". Dunama's movements also meant that he was unable to consolidate his authority among the nobility and courtiers. Another factor of discontent among the elite was Dunama's friendship with, and reliance on, al-Kanemi. Al-Kanemi had made himself known as the most effective military leader in the empire and had used this to his advantage. In 1809, he requested land around
Ngurno, and was swiftly granted a large personal fiefdom there. The great power and wealth bestowed on al-Kanemi was a threat to the established positions of many courtiers and raised further questions among the court about Dunama's leadership. In 1811, Dunama was deposed by his courtiers in a
palace revolt and replaced as
mai with his uncle
Muhammad IX Ngileruma. The leaders of the conspiracy justified their revolt by arguing that Dunama had been an illegitimate ruler since he became
mai while his father was still alive. Muhammad Ngileruma solved some of the grievances with Dunama's rule, for instance establishing a new permanent capital at
Kafela, close to al-Kanemi's seat at Ngurno. He did not lessen al-Kanemi's influence, however, instead formally incorporating al-Kanemi and his forces into the empire's defense forces. == Second reign ==