Selema II
Selema II, also recorded as Abd al-Jalil, was mai of the Kanem–Bornu Empire in the late 12th to early 13th century, ruling approximately 1194–1221. Selema is credited with establishing further dominion over the desert north of Kanem. Although mais had been Muslim for several generations by Selema's time, Selema is credited with furthering Islam's position as the religion of the empire's political elite.
Life
Selema was a son of mai Abdullah I Bikur. His mother was named Huwa and was of Toubou origin, hailing from the Débiri or Dibbiri tribe. Selema succeeded his father as mai in the late 12th century. Later tradition sometimes claimed that Selema was the first dark-skinned ruler of Kanem, while earlier rulers looked like Arabs. This reflected a fictional Arabized origin legend for the royal line to connect the rulers of the empire with wider Islamic history; the rulers of the empire were undoubtedly dark-skinned since its beginning. Selema's name means "black" or "dark-skinned" and may be a later nickname.Selema was a powerful ruler, and oversaw a successful and prosperous reign. Selema is claimed by the girgam to have extended his dominion over "the whole desert", a fanciful feat reportedly possible due to his good relations with rulers in North Africa. Although mais had been Muslim for several generations by Selema's time, Selema is often credited as the mai responsible for firmly and fully establishing Islam as the religion of the empire's political elite.
Selema ruled for between 20 and 28 years. He died at a site recorded as Jejéska Ghazrwána. and was succeeded as mai by his son Dunama II Dibalemi.