Idris I of Kanem
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Idris I (Idrīs bin Ibrāhīm Nikale[1]), also known as Hajj-Idris (al-Ḥājj Idrīs),[2] was the mai of the Kanem–Bornu Empire in 1329–1353.[1]
Life
Idris was the son of Ibrahim I Nikale and Hafsa.[3] He succeeded his second cousin Muhammad I[3] as mai in 1329,[1] after Muhammad's death in battle against the Sao.[2][4] The Sao lived south of Lake Chad[4] and had risen up in the reign of Selema (r. 1322–1326). The wars against the Sao had in quick succession claimed the lives of four mais prior to Idris's accession: Selema, Kuri I Gana, Kuri II Kura, and Muhammad I.[2] It is unknown if Idris was more successful against the Sao than his predecessors and little is known of his reign overall.[2]
Idris at one point made a pilgrimage to Mecca, and is therefore also called Haj Idris.[2]
Idris had a consort named Famafa, and had several sons who would later compete for the throne.[3] Idris was succeeded as mai by his brother Dawud[3] in 1353.[1]