Amarma

Amarma, also recorded as Hummay II, was briefly mai of the Kanem–Bornu Empire in the mid-15th century, ruling approximately 1450–1451. Possibly a usurper, Amarma ruled during the "Era of Instability", a chaotic period of internal and external conflict in the empire.

Life

Amarma was the son of Aisa, daughter of mai Uthman. It is not clear which Uthman is meant in the sources, as several mais bore this name. Lange suggested Biri III Uthman as the most likely candidate. Some sources state that it was Amarma's father who was named Uthman, presumably a mistake.
As the grandson of a monarch, Amarma bore the title of maidu. A maidu could advance to become a maina if their father became king, and therefore also become a possible successor to the throne. In the case of Amarma, this should have been impossible since he was maidu only through a female line. Amarma nevertheless succeeded Muhammad III as mai in the mid-15th century. Cohen proposed that Amarma usurped the throne whereas Lange opposed designating him as a usurper due to the limited evidence. Amarma ruled briefly, only one or two years, before dying at a site recorded as Tármata or Yarimiya. He was succeeded as mai by Muhammad IV.