Nigeria's Ancient Kingdom
Kanem-Borno’s rise to power is closely tied to the political and religious maneuvers of the Sefawa dynasty, descendants of pastoralists who settled near Lake Chad in the 7th century. The king, or Mai, of Kanem ruled as a constitutional monarch, often in consultation with a council of peers. The kingdom was deeply entrenched in the trans-Saharan trade routes, exchanging goods like slaves, natron, salt, and grain with Egypt and North Africa. This trade not only fortified Kanem-Borno's prosperity but also laid the foundation for its cultural and religious evolution.
