Note 360 — VII

Cf. Nachtigal, i. 723; Monteil, p. 355. Even at the present day in German Bornu the mother of the reigning Sultan, Shehu Sanda, holds an important position. [In the old Court of Bornu there were two officials called the ‘Magira’ and the ‘Magiram’, the Shehu’s official mother and his official sister—not necessarily his actual mother and sister. Their duties appear to have been connected with the Royal Household, but the ‘Magira’ also acted as an adviser of, and interceder with, the sovereign. There is a mention of the ‘Magira’ in Harris, Hausa Stories and Riddles, p. 33 ff., where she is wrongly described as the Shehu’s sister instead of his mother. These ladies are not officially recognized in British Bornu, though at one time it was proposed that they be ranked as second class chiefs and given staves of office.]