Lamido

Lamido(Adlam:𞤂𞤢𞤥𞤭𞤣𞤮,pl.Lamibe𞤂𞤢𞤥𞤭𞤦𞤫) is theAnglicisationof a term from theFula languageor Fulfulde, used to refer to aruler.In the language it is properlylaamiiɗo(𞤂𞤢𞥄𞤥𞤭𞥅𞤯𞤮,pl.laamiiɓe𞤂𞤢𞥄𞤥𞤭𞥅𞤩𞤫), derived from the verbal rootlaamu-meaning "leadership", and hence may be translated more specifically as "leader". The titlelaamiiɗois higher in rank thanlaamɗo,which means simply a "leader" or "king". Therefore, "laamiiɗo" means a "great king" or "great leader". It has been used by the traditional leaders of certain Fulani emirates in West Africa, originally as head of confederations of ruling and subordinate (often vassal) states. Its use persists within a number of post-colonial republics.

The word may have its origins from the oldSerertitlelamane(orlaman) which means master of the land, inheritor or heir in old Serer (Fula andSererare closely related languages). The Lamans were theancient Serer kingsbefore the fall of the Serer lamanic class in the 14th century. The Fula titleLam Toro—who later became leaders ofFuta Toro,originated from the Serer titleLaman.

States where the title "lamido" was used

Examples ofFulani Jihad states:

• Bauchi Emirate,since its foundation in 1805.
• Adamawa Emirate(Fombina), since its foundation in 1809.
• Bibemi,since its 1770 foundation, until the higher Muslim titleSultanwas assumed.

Compound title

• Laamiiɗo juulɓe'Emir of the Muslims (𞤂𞤢𞥄𞤥𞤭𞥅𞤯𞤮 𞤶𞤵𞥅𞤤𞤦𞤫,lit.those who pray)' was a title, alongside the proper ArabicAmir al-Mu´minin(which was maintained), of theImam`Usuman dan Muhammad Fodio,the original leader of the largest of theFula jihads(conquests by the Fula people in the name of spreadingIslam) inSokoto,the home state of the leader of theFulbe jihad,whose heirs (since 1817) adopted the titleSarkin Musulmiand became known asSultan of Sokoto,still considered the paramount ruler of traditional Islamic people in Nigeria
• Baban-LamidoinAdamawa(now partially inCameroon) since its foundation in 1809

Sources and references

• WorldStatesmen- here Nigerian Traditional states