Proceedings of the 2nd (Hybrid) International Conference, Faculty of Social Sciences, Niger Delta University, Held on March 13, 2024
March, 2024
Pages 288-307
DOI: 10.36108/wjss/ConfP.2024.017
ISLAM AND CHANGE IN UMUOFOR COMMUNITY, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA
Chiedo Collins Chizitere
Abstract
Islam, one of the major religions in Nigeria, started spreading utilizing the weapon of war referred to as jihad as far back in time as 1804. The Igbo land, especially southeast Nigeria did not have a share of this war of conquest as seen in the northern part of the country. The people remained in the dual practice of traditional religion and the introduced Christian faith for so long, until Christianity gained dominance in the region. The 1900s saw the earliest contact of Islam with traditional Igbo communities, facilitated by northern traders and businessmen. Amid assumptions of a hegemonic Igbo Christian identity, conversions to Islam began in the late 1930s in the Igbo territory of south-east Nigeria—the only region in the country that was not touched by the nineteenth-century Islamic jihad and subsequent efforts to extend the borders of Islam in Nigeria (Uchendu, 2010). Give or take, Islam is in Igboland and Umuofor is one community to take evidence from. Between 1970 and 1971, Umuofor, an ancient kingdom in Oguta LGA of Imo State, had contacts with, and some natives embraced Islam. Therefore, a formerly Christian hegemonic area welcoming and sustaining Islam for more than five decades would ensure a considerable change in culture since religion carries elements of culture. Through in-depth and key informant interviews, non-participant observation, and life histories, this paper amplifies the cultural changes taking place due to the presence of Islam in the community. Qualitative data from the field is analysed thematically, and discoveries are discussed using theory and literature.
Keywords: Cultural Change, Igboland, Islam, Religion, Umuofor