What is "lamido"

Lamido (plural Lamibe) is the Anglicisation of a term from the Fula language or Fulfulde, used to refer to a ruler. In the language it is properly laamiiɗo (pl. laamiiɓe), derived from the verbal root "laam-" meaning "to rule or to lead", and hence may be translated more specifically as "leader". It is commonly used to translate the concept of the Arabic title Emir, into Fulfulde. The title "Lamido" has been used by the traditional leaders of certain Islamic communities in West Africa, originally as head of (often vassal) states, nowadays persisting within post-colonial republics.