Chap. LI. EARLY HISTORY OF BAGl'RMI. 
431 
to the country we are now describing,,* Here I will 
only introduce a few remarks concerning the kings 
of Bagirmi. 
Bagirmi f is said to have emerged from the gloom 
of paganism prevailing in the eastern regions of 
Sudan, a considerable time after "Western Sudan had 
been formed into mighty kingdoms — some years 
subsequent to the introduction of Islam into Wa- 
day. But in the same manner as the ruling 
dynasty which gave rise to this new kingdom had 
come from abroad, so likewise the founders of Ba- 
girmi seem to have immigrated into the country ; 
and from whence they immigrated can scarcely 
be doubtful, though they themselves, like all the 
dominating tribes of Sudan, would much rather con- 
nect their origin with the inhabitants of Yemen. 
But, that the native inhabitants of Kenga, Kirsuwa, 
and Hfrla are intimately related to them, they are 
well aware, and acknowledge it without hesitation ; 
but they would try to make people believe that, in 
coming from Yemen, their chief Dokkenge left at 
those places brethren of his as governors. As for 
* I shall give a short account of the history of that country, in 
Appendix YI. 
j - Thus the name is generally pronounced in the country itself ; 
but it very often sounds like Bagrimmi, and the adjective form is cer- 
tainly Bagrimma, which often sounds likeBarma. The learned men 
write and indifferently, while the Bornu people write 
O y- C — 
the name Begharmi ^<f^ % or Bekarmi ^J^j. 
