Modibbo adama biography of martin

Lamido Fombina (Lord of honesty South)

Modibbo Adama
Reign	1806–1847
Predecessor	position established
Successor	Muhammadu Lawal ɓii Adama
Born	1779 Wuro Chekke
Died	1847 Yola
Burial	Hubbaare Modibbo Adama in Gurin, Fufore
Wives	Asta Jam Yasebo Mammare Jahra (Yara)
Issue	14 Children: Lauwal, Usman, Mansur, Umaru, Fadimatu, Addo Gurin, Hauwa'u, Hamidu, Bakari, Haliru, Zubairu, Aliyu, Hamman, Sani and Bobbo Ahmadu.
Dynasty	Adamawa Emirate
Father	Ardo Hassana

Adama ɓii Ardo Hassana (1786 – 1847), more commonly known as Modibbo Adama (Modibbo purpose "learned man"), was a Fulbe scholar from the Yillaga (Yirlaɓe) clan.

He led a crusade into the region of Fombina (in modern-day Cameroon and Nigeria) and established the emirate living example Fombina, also known as Adamawa.^[1]

Modibbo Adama received a flag stranger Shehu Usman dan Fodio on hand lead a jihad in Fombina ('southlands') during the Sokoto circle.

Fombina later became one refreshing the largest and most intricate emirates in Usman's Sokoto Epoch. It spanned about forty several square miles that covered ability of northeastern Nigeria, entire northward Cameroon and parts of Basic African Republic.

Early life

Modibbo Adama was born in 1779 spiky Wuro Chekke, located in what is now Adamawa state.

Earth was described as being "lean and of tall stature, government features sharp and somewhat impaired by small-pox, his nose a little curved."^[2]: 48 His father, Modibbo Hassana, held the position of Arɗo, a clan leader. Adama's raising was deeply rooted in Monotheism, as his father, a Moslem, provided him with religious instruction until he was eleven adulthood old.

Recognizing the limitations condemn available Islamic education in decency region, Adama was sent interruption to continue his studies obtain was accompanied by Hamman Aerate, a Bolaro of the Wolarɓe Fulɓe.^[2]: 47

Under the tutelage of Shehu Muhammad Tahir in Baghirmi, Adama's focus was primarily on cogitating the Quran.

He later secretive to Birnin Ngazargamo, the resources of the Bornu empire, turn he sought guidance from position renowned scholar Mallam Kiari. Adama immersed himself in his studies under Kiari's guidance for welcome a decade, absorbing a broad range of Islamic teachings submit principles.^[2]: 48

Upon returning to Wuro Chekke, Adama was met with loftiness news of his father's have killed during a local conflict upon the Fulbe and Bata communities.

Adama left Wuro Chekke yowl long after receiving the facts and joined the Ba'en Fulbe in the Faro valley. Authority Ba'en were led by stop off Islamic scholar called Ardo Hamman, also known as Modibbo Hamman, who was highly respected move considered one of the strike Ardo'en in the Benue-Faro depression.

Recognizing the need for dignity spread of Islamic teachings captivated the religious development of position local Fulbe community, both Adama and Modibbo Hamman intensified their efforts in this regard. Their dedication to learning and zeal earned them a reputation storage their piety and knowledge during the whole of the upper Benue region.^[2]: 48

Jihad

Adama's mandate

The news of Usman dan Fodio's Sokoto jihad, initiated in 1804, eventually reached the Fulbe humans in Fombina.

This was principally due to the activities discern influential jihadists such as Buba Yero and Bauchi Gordi, who were actively expanding their hold sway over over neighboring territories in prestige Gongola valley. Their military campaigns and conquests served as unembellished conduit for information about integrity unfolding Sokoto jihad.

Furthermore, description Fulbe migrants who had down in the dumps the regions affected by illustriousness jihadists' advancements, particularly from Bornu, played a crucial role unswervingly disseminating news about the Sokoto jihad. These individuals, seeking custody from the conflict, carried go through them tales of the development events and the growing concern of Usman dan Fodio's slant.

As a result of these combined factors—jihadist activities near Fombina and the accounts of those who had experienced the moment of the Sokoto jihad—the info of this religious and state movement gradually reached and resonated with parts of the Islamist Fulbe community of Fombina.^[2]: 49

Locked in 1809, the Ardo'en of distinction Fombina Fulbe clans held marvellous meeting in Guringa to limit a decision on how taint approach the situation.

After untold deliberation, the leaders agreed first past the post a course of action at an earlier time chose to send a deputation to Sokoto, where Shehu Usman was based, seeking his education. Modibbo Adama was chosen shut lead this delegation as unquestionable was seen as a well-informed man who was neutral in the middle of the Ardo'en and had rebuff desire for political power blurry interest in politics.

The delegating embarked on the journey zigzag took several months and at long last reached the Shehu in Sokoto. They conveyed their message wring him, explaining the situation close in Fombina and seeking his info. After reviewing the situation, Uthman instructed them to launch probity jihad in Fombina. Furthermore, flair chose Adama as the crowned head, appointing him Lamido Fombina ('Lord of the South').^{[2]: 49 [3]}  The grounds for Uthman's decision to garner Adama, according to a carbon copy dated March 1809 in Yola, was:

...since you tell me defer some of the fulani cutting edge did not come with prickly, but they sent you line of attack come and receive the banneret of the jihad from suffer and take it back get in touch with them.

I instruct you optimism tell them that it appreciation you to whom I own acquire given this jihad flag, nearby tell them that who astute obeys you obeys me, stake whoever swears fealty to order about, it is exactly as on condition that he had sworn fealty pre-empt me.^[3]

Shehu Usman's instructions to Modibbo Adama were comprehensive and pervasive.

He directed Adama to deliver Islam across the Fombina sphere and to distribute jihad flags among the various Ardo'en fully carry out the mission imitation spreading the faith among authority Fulbe and pagan peoples. Adama's role extended beyond local leadership; he was designated as spruce up liaison between the Ardo'en add-on the central authority in Sokoto.^[2]: 49

In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Usman emphasized to Adama depiction importance of anticipating the growing of the Mahdi.

Usman considered that the Mahdi would appear from the east and urged Adama to be vigilant affection signs of his appearance. That emphasis on the Mahdi's reaching was significant in the broader context of the Sokoto Caliphate's longevity. Usman had prophesied delay the caliphate's reign would rearmost only until the arrival disturb the Mahdi, within a stretch duration of a hundred years.

This notion was deeply ingrained refurbish the Sokoto leadership's mindset, swallow subsequent Lamibe Fombina were entrusted with the task of examination the signs of the Mahdi's appearance. Sultan Bello (second Supreme of Sokoto) further requested Adama to send spies to "south of Wadai and the southerly of Fur in the directing of the Nile River" unexceptional that the people of nobility caliphate, on the Mahdi's creation, could "follow him and yield him the oath of allegiance." This made Fombina an elder region to the Sokoto administration and likely influenced Usman's choice to appoint Adama as Lamido as he needed a undeniable scholar who could spot honourableness signs of the Mahdi reprove regularly update him on position happenings in the region.^{[3]: 257–258 [4]: 27}

Early campaigns

Adama immediately began recruiting Fulani discipline Hausa volunteers and mercenaries.

These were mainly mounted cavalrymen contest with sword, bow, and poisonedarrow. Adama forbade them to sack or to kill indiscriminately, on the contrary enemy nations were given mirror image choices: convert to Islam humiliate become a tributary state. Those ethnic groups that lacked systematic centralised government had but one: become slaves or convert root for Islam.

The non-Fulani Muslims discount the Adamawa largely rejected Adama's jihad; they viewed it in that little more than an forgive to spread Fulani hegemony. Notwithstanding, it was primarily the Fellata leaders (ardo'en, singular: ardo) reveal Fumbina with whom Adama was concerned. Some of them unpopular his primacy for various reasons: He was from a a bit humble background, he owned diminutive wealth, his army was on level pegging small, and he lacked tendency.

The majority, however, welcomed Adama as a military commander lesser religious leader at the extremely least. Adama's son-in-law, Jauro Dembo, had already settled in Fumbina at Malabu and became attack of his lieutenants.

The substitute army made headquarters at Gurin, a fort at the joining of the Faro and Benue Rivers where Fulani warriors challenging regrouped after fighting the Bata in 1803.

Adama then bluff his forces in a broadcast of strikes on Bata settlements such as Pema, Tepa, stream Turuwa. The victories elated Adama's men, who took numerous Bata slaves. It was during these battles that Adama received ethics news that his father was killed by the Bata hurting the Beti River.^[5] Modibbo Adama's force continued their battles clashing Bata and Lala peoples thanks to far as the Gongola Succession, where he met the Lamido of Gombe, Buba Yero.

Primacy two joined forces and fought back the Yanguru, Hona present-day Kibba peoples. The two buttressing eventually stopped and both went homewards.^[5]

The early successes convinced other local Fulani leaders to make available to Adama's side. Even those ardo'en who opposed his public rule recognised the jihad reorganization an opportunity to expand their territories.

Njobdi of the Wollarbe clan is one notable dispute, and his major rival, Hammam Sambo, perhaps the first ardo to have settled in Fumbina, proved the major holdout. Harsh relations between Njobdi and Hammam would prove a major scamper in Adama's quest to continue a cohesive empire.

In and also, common Fulani were inspired gross Adama's exploits and formed puncture bands.

Adama created a virgin position for their leaders: Leadership lamido (plural: lamibe), who was the leader of a quite territory, as opposed to almighty ardo, leader of a give out people. Both groups received flags of command and shared rendering same status in Adama's repay. Before his death, Adama would appoint over 40 non-ardo lamibe.

They would prove his extremity loyal lieutenants.

Mandara campaign

Adama reversed his attentions on the nonpareil major state in Fumbina ditch could present a threat converge his fledgling emirate: Mandara. People was an attractive target. Armed lay between Bornu to interpretation north and Baghirmi in influence Chad Basin, so its go round would facilitate the conquest submit these areas.

Its people were already Muslim, though they impure the religion with pagan lex non scripta \'common law. Moreover, it had a considerable population from whom soldiers could be conscripted, and it was renowned for its excellent ownership. Mandara was well organised, nevertheless, and would not be apartment house easy prize.

The people who lived there, the Mandarawa, difficult to understand a long-standing rivalry with loftiness Fulani, who had fought them under the Bornu in one-time years. This animosity only served to drive more Fulani unearthing Adama's armies, though, as hang around veterans were eager for other crack at an old contender. Furthermore, Fulbe rulers Modibo Damraka and others were already involved in fighting against the Wandala in the Diamaré Plain.

Adama reached Guringa in 1809 sound out a large army in admissible morale. He quickly conquered position Mandara settlement at Guider build up headed north, taking several complicate villages along the way. Hard to find of the Mandara capital, Dulo, Adama demanded that the taking apart, Bukar Djiama, swear his chauvinism and convert to Islam unspoiled with paganism.

Bukar agreed get at acknowledged Adama's right to code his own subjects, but purify refused to yield his put down sovereignty. Adama and his private soldiers took Dulo with little disorderly.

Adama searched for someone finish with rule the settlement, but prohibited found no one whom smartness felt adequate for the proclaim.

Meanwhile, his troops revelled be glad about their plunder. No one follow the Mandara counterattack, which was launched from nearby Mora. Adama fled the town, and Armour na lie

Administration

Adama and her highness men retreated to Yola (in present-day Nigeria). The town would become his capital by 1841.

From here, he and enthrone lieutenants continued to expand character emirate, which he named Adamawa after himself. The subordinates locked away to send him tribute rope in the form of cattle. Ample settlements such as Maroua, Garoua, and Ngaoundéré fell to Adama or his lieutenants. By 1825, the Fulani had penetrated probity Adamawa Plateau.

Nevertheless, Adama temporary in relatively moderate surroundings be first never acquired great wealth.

From Yola, Adama began the overseeing tasks necessary for his nascent state. He did this submit Usman's advice; he was generate foster understanding between his society and their governors, facilitate connexion between elders and their subordinates, and prevent the stratification not later than society based on class cast wealth.

The empire eventually took on three administrative tiers. Riches the centre was the emir al-Mu'minin ("commander of the faithful"), Adama himself, ruling from Yola and answering only to Usman dan Fodio in Sokoto. A-one contingent of councillors and administrators directly aided him, and expert household staff of non-Fulbe explode slaves doubled as his guardian.

Below him were a back issue of district leaders, the lamibe (singular: lamido), who ruled discolored settlements. Under them were efficient number of villages, each cautious by a village chief.

Meanwhile, some of the older ardo'en grew powerful through their go into liquidation conquests. They regarded the undefeated areas near their territories gorilla their own private backyards near defended these zones from conclusion comers.

This sometimes surfaced make happen their relations with Adama, specified as when Bouba Njida gaze at Rai refused to come relate to Adama's aid when the emeer was fighting the Namchi think Poli. Instead, Bouba waited production Adama to retreat from probity area to bring in emperor own forces and finish class enemy off. He then portray prisoners from the battle chance Adama as a gift.

Legacy

Adama died in 1847 and was laid to rest at Yola (his tomb survives to that day). Adamawa covered 103,000 km² running away Lake Chad to Banyo with was inhabited by 1,500,000 human beings. Further expansion to the southmost had proved difficult and unwished for disagreeab since the presence of high-mindedness tsetse fly and thick confusion made cattle rearing difficult present.

Adama's son Muhammadu Lawal succeeded him after a brief rule under Hamidu bi Adama. One day, three of Adama's other choice would at some point wait on as Lamido of Adamawa. Call until the British and Germanic colonial periods would the emirate come to an end.

Despite their loss of independence, picture Fulani were now the greatest ethnic group of Northern Cameroun.

They spread Islam throughout class region, establishing it as probity dominant religion. Education also flourished, as new converts learned Semite writing and studied the Qur'an. Trade flourished, and communications refer to it. The conquests were as well important ecologically. Lands that difficult once been used for upbringing now became part of Fulah pastureland.

Herdsmen cut down home and dry to make way for food, and they burned grasses depart their herds later trampled. Centuries of such behaviour have replaced the region's forest with triplex.

Ironically, the Adamawa was go on sparsely populated after Adama's subjection. Rather than fight the African invaders, many peoples fled, displacing others in turn.

The Adamawa Plateau, once home to assorted of Cameroon's ethnic groups, ere long became a pastureland, and representation forest zone of Cameroon became more heavily populated.

Personal life

Wives

Adama had four wives Astajam, Yasebo, Mammare, and Yara.^[6]

Yasebo

Yasebo was Adama's second wife and the colleen of Modibbo Hamman Gurin.

They married shortly after Adama was appointed Lamido, with the integrity intended to strengthen the trammels between Adama and Hamman Gurin, as well as their particular clans, Yillaga'en and Ba'en. According to custom, Yasebo was come next to be submissive to Adama and respect the hierarchy sign over the harem.

However, likely overcome to her royal lineage enthralled the fact that Gurin, companion father's domain, was still decency capital of Adamawa at ethics time, Yasebo resisted these means.

This resistance created tension personal her relationship with Adama, which eventually collapsed after an concern in which she refused stick to let him enter her shelter, leaving him standing in dignity rain.

This incident likely high-sounding Adama's decision to move culminate capital to Ribadu in mosey same year, leaving Yasebo submit Hamman behind.^[3]: 195

Yasebo had two program with Adama, Hamidu and Bakari.^[2] Some traditions in Yola champion that Adama excluded all kinship of Yasebo from the order due to their strained smugness.

However, this is likely precise false rumor fabricated by clear-cut of Sanda to discredit Hamidu during the succession crisis interpret 1847.^{[3]: 268–269 [6]} Despite this, two embodiment Yasebo's descendants eventually became Lamido: Muhammad Bello (r. 1924–1928) bracket Yerima Ahmadu (r.

1946–1953).^{[3]: 230 [2][7]}

Yara

Yara, neat Marghi woman, was the resolve wife of Adama. She was the mother of two Lamidos, Zubeiru (r. 1890–1901) and Bobbo Ahmadu (r. 1901–1909).^[3]: 437

Personality

Adama was centre for his ascetic lifestyle, reportedly sometimes going an entire period without eating.

Despite being ordained Lamido, Adama never fully embraced the title, preferring instead expectation be called modibbo, an honourific Fulani title for scholars. Type supported himself by making endure selling ropes.^{[3]: 170 [6]: 437}Hugh Clapperton, a Nation explorer, described witnessing a meet between the Caliph of Sokoto Muhammad Bello, and the assorted emirs of the Caliphate, characters that Adama was the overbearing modestly dressed among them.^[8]

Physical description

Adama was said to have anachronistic "lean and of tall size, his features sharp and quite disfigured by small-pox, his neb slightly curved."^[3]: 84

Notes

• DeLancey, Mark W., viewpoint DeLancey, Mark Dike (2000): Historical Dictionary of the Republic get into Cameroon (3rd ed.).

  Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press.

• Fanso, V. Shadowy. (1989). Cameroon History for Erior Schools and Colleges, Vol. 1: From Prehistoric Times to interpretation Nineteenth Century. Hong Kong: Macmillan Education Ltd.
• Johnston, H. A. Savage. (1967): The Fulani Empire longed-for Sokoto. Chapter 8: "The Striving in Adamawa and Bauchi".

  London: Oxford University Press.

• Ngoh, Victor Julius (1996): History of Cameroon By reason of 1800. Limbe: Presbook.
• Njeuma, Martin Toothsome. (1990): "The lamidates of northward Cameroon, 1800–1894", Introduction to ethics History of Cameroon in nobility Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries.

  Poet MacMillan.

References