The Maouri established two capitals in Matankari and Lougou, with religious authority based in Bagaji.
[2] Islam (especially in Dogondoutchi) and Christianity have since gained some adherents among the Maouri, but they still largely hold to traditional beliefs, including fetishes.
[2] They resisted an attempted forced conversion to Islam in the early 19th century during the Fulani jihads and subsequent establishment of the Sokoto Caliphate.
The Maouri lands were traded between the English and French colonies in West Africa under various treaties between 1890 and 1906.
The town ultimately fell, though Sarraounia's forces managed a retreat and were able to inflict ten casualties on the much more numerous and better-armed French soldiers.