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Audience with the Sultan of Bornu, Kanem-Bornu
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Audience with the Sultan of Bornu, Kanem-Bornu
Audience with the Sultan of Bornu, 19th century. Visitors sit 100 paces away from the sultan who views them from inside a bamboo cage. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Giulio Ferrarios Costumes Ancient and Modern of the Peoples of the World, Florence, 1834
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Media ID 23174382
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Audience Bamboo Bornu Cage Ferrario Giulio Islamic Musician Peoples Sultan Sultanate Turban Visitors
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Audience with the Sultan of Bornu
EDITORS COMMENTS
is an intriguing 19th-century handcoloured copperplate engraving that captures a unique moment in the rich history of the Kanem-Bornu Empire. The image presents a scene of an audience between the Sultan and his visitors, with the monarch ensconced inside a bamboo cage, while the visitors sit 100 paces away. The Sultan of Bornu, a prominent Islamic sultanate located in what is now northern Nigeria and Chad, is depicted wearing an elaborate turban and a flowing robe, signifying his regal status. The use of a bamboo cage during audiences was a common practice in the Kanem-Bornu Empire, believed to protect the sultan from potential harm and to emphasize the power differential between him and his subjects. The visitors, who are dressed in various attires representing their ethnicities and social statuses, appear to be in awe of the Sultan's presence. A musician, possibly playing a stringed instrument, adds to the festive atmosphere of the scene. This illustration is taken from Giulio Ferrario's "Costumes Ancient and Modern of the Peoples of the World," published in Florence in 1834. Ferrario, an Italian artist and ethnographer, traveled extensively to document the diverse cultures and traditions of the world, making this engraving an invaluable record of the customs and practices of the Kanem-Bornu Empire during the 19th century. The intricate details and vibrant colours of the engraving bring the scene to life, offering a glimpse into the rich history and cultural heritage of the Kanem-Bornu Empire. This image serves as a reminder of the complex and fascinating world that existed before our modern times.
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