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Nigeria. Africa. Nigeria’s History. Nigeria is as big as California, Arizona, and New Mexico combined It is the second most populous country in Africa. Multiethnic –many ethnic groups ie within its borders. Colonial Legacy.
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Nigeria Africa
Nigeria’s History • Nigeria is as big as California, Arizona, and New Mexico combined • It is the second most populous country in Africa. • Multiethnic –many ethnic groups ie within its borders
Colonial Legacy • By 1914 Great Britain has taken over the government of Nigeria and the borders included: • Hausaland, part of Yorubaland, and Igboland • Nigeria became independent in 1960 • Individual ethnic groups worked together to build one nation • 1991 the capital was moved from Lagos to Abuja.
Colonial Legacy • Shortly after independence fighting broke out among some of the groups • A military group took control of the government • The people struggled to create a democratic government free of military rule. • May 29, 1999, military leaders gave up their power to a new democracy controlled by the people.
Three Different Ways of Life • The Hausa and Fulani: Traders of the North • Both built city-states in Northern Nigeria • Fulani conquered Hausaland in the early 1800s • Hausa and Fulani have intermarried since that time and now make up approx. 32% of the Nigerian People
Three Different Ways of Life • Together they are called the Hausa-Fulani • Most Hausa and Fulani are Muslims • Made most of their living by trading in goods from as far away as Spain, Italy, and Egypt. • They built cities at the crossroads of trade routes • Each city • Had its own ruler • Enclosed by walls • Had a central market
Three Different Ways of Life • Kano • Oldest city in W. Africa is a Hausa city. • Has been a center for trade for 1000+ years • Kurmi Market in Kano is one of the largest trading centers in Africa • They deal in everything from fabrics and dyes to electric appliances
Three Different Ways of Life • Yoruba: Farmers Near the Coast • Second largest ethnic groups • 29% of all Nigerian People • Many still live in the city-state they built 500+ years ago • Lagos • 1800s Lagos was a center for the Eruopean slave trade • Many Yoruba were sold into slavery and sent to the Americas
Three Different Ways of Life • Today Lagos is a more peaceful center for trade • Streets are lined with hundreds of shops that sell many kinds of goods • Most Yoruba are farmers • Live in large compounds • Each compound has several houses grouped around a big yard • A Yoruba community is made up of many such compounds
Three Different Ways of Life • The Igbo • Traditionally lived as rural farmers in the southeast • Have not built any large cities • They live in farming villages • The people work closely together • Igbo rule themselves with a democratic council of elders.
Three Different Ways of Life • The southeast was the first area of Nigeria to be affected by the arrival of Europeans • During colonial times • Igbo were often educated by Christian missionaries • Many in the south converted or changed their religion to Christianity • During British rule some Igbo attended European or American universities and became teachers, doctors, and lawyers • Today many Igbo have left rural villages and work in Nigeria’s towns and cities
Three Different Ways of Life • Counting heads • In Nigeria whenever a census is taken it causes a debate because the largest ethnic group will have the most power • 1991 census • Country was cut off from the outside world, no one could enter or leave for three days • No one in Nigeria was allowed to move from one place to another • Census takers went from house to house
Three Different Ways of Life • The census showed that over 88 million people live in Nigeria • The Hausa and the Fulani are the country’s largest group • This gives them more political power than other groups.
