Fasama

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Fasama was a wife of Dunama I Umemi, a ruler of the Kanem–Bornu Empire, in the late 11th to mid-12th century. After Dunama’s death around 1151, Fasama ruled as regent for their son, Biri I Uthman, wielding great power—perhaps more than her son. An example of her authority: when Biri ordered a thief executed, Fasama had him imprisoned for a year.

Fasama came from the Kay (Koyam) tribe of Dirkou. Her marriage to Dunama may have strengthened ties between the Kay and Kanem, since Dunama’s grandfather’s mother was Kay as well. Fasama was the mother of Biri. Biri’s reign lasted over twenty years, until about 1177, and it is unclear exactly how long Fasama remained in power. Some sources suggest Biri was still young when he began his rule, so Fasama may have ruled as regent for part of his reign. The royal chronicle Girgam notes that Biri’s sons Abdullah I Bikur and Bitku visited Fasama in their youth, and she gave each of them a hundred camels. The camels given to Abdullah were called Bikoru, which may be the origin of his name, while those given to Bitku were called Bitku.