adama turned his attentions on the only major state in fumbina that could present a threat to his fledgling emirate: mandara. it was an attractive target. it lay between bornu to the north and baghirmi in the chad basin, so its fall would facilitate the conquest of these areas. its people were already muslim, though they mixed the religion with pagan practices. moreover, it had a large population from whom soldiers could be conscripted, and it was renowned for its excellent horses. mandara was well organised, however, and would not be an easy prize. the people who lived there, the mandarawa, had a long-standing rivalry with the fulani, who had fought them under the bornu in previous years. this animosity only served to drive more fulani to adama's armies, though, as many veterans were eager for another crack at an old rival. furthermore, fulbe rulers modibo damraka and others were already embroiled in fighting against the mandara in the diamaré plain. sentiment for jihad was high.