Bornu, a Mohammedan state of Central Sudan, bounded on the E. by Lake Tchad, and N. by the Sahara, and now mostly in Northern Nigeria (British), but partly in the German hinterland of Cameroon. Much of the country is perfectly level, and is liable to be overflowed in the rainy season (October to April). The heat from March to June is excessive, ranging from 104° to 107° F. The two principal rivers are the Shari and the Komaduga Yaobe, both of which fall into Lake Tchad. The soil is fertile, yields plentiful crops of maize, millet, and other tropical produce. Wild beasts are very numerous. Coats-of-mail are made both for horses and their riders. The population, which is estimated at about five millions, are mostly of negro race, and called Bornuese or Kanuri. The ruling race, called Shuwas, are of Arab descent and bigoted Mohammedans; but many traces of fetichism remain among the masses. Whatever they have of civilisation is derived from the Arabs. The shores and islands of Lake Tchad are inhabited by negro pirates called
Yedina or Budduna. The slave-trade is eagerly prosecuted in Bornu. In the beginning of the 19th century, Bornu was conquered by the Fellatahs, whose yoke, however, was soon shaken off under the leadership of a fanatic fakir named Mohammed-el-Amin. The ruins of Birni, the old capital, on the Yaobe, may still be seen. Kuka or Kukawa, the present capital, on the west shore of Lake Tchad, has a population of about 60,000, and is one of the great centres of trade in the Soudan, carried on by caravan routes across the Sahara. Other towns of over 10,000 inhabitants are Birni, Bundi, Gummel, Mashena, Borsari, and Surrikolo.