Over the course of the next six centuries, Islam became accepted widely in the north, especially among the Hausa and Fulani, and not only as a religion. It also imposed a central government, segregated the sexes, influenced language and script, and established a hierarchical class system that was not there beforehand. Islam did not spread south because of the dense tropical forest that divides Nigeria into north and south. This also caused the two regions to “develop” at different rates because while the south was still alien to Europeans, the north was expanding culturally and ec

The missionaries did help the people a little. The schools they made created an increasing number of educated Nigerians. That would give them an advantage when dealing with Europeans because they would be able to read contracts and all around understand what the British were saying. While all this was going on, Britain was trying to gain more control over the people and the economy of the country. Naturally, they ran into some resistance. In the south they had to fight many wars, especially with the Ijebu (a Yoruba group), the Aro of eastern Igboland and the Aniocha of western Igboland. The British used forceful tactics and heavy armament against the resistance and destroyed homes, roads and farms. A lot of people resorted to migration instead of dealing with the British as well.

Catholic Missionaries arrived in Benin, which is right next to Nigeria, in 1516 and were there until 1688 but their efforts failed to make a lasting impression. In 1841 missionaries tried again and eventually became successful with many Yoruba people and especially with the Ibo and peoples in the middle belt. It must have been a miracle they were even slightly successful. The preconditions in order to convert go against so many aspects of traditional life. They had to abandon dance, marriage dowry, polygamy, secret societies, ancestor worship, shamanism, semi-nudity, African names and traditional funeral ceremonies. By the end of World War I there were fifteen European and American evangelical groups, consisting of about 600 missionaries and assisted by about 5000 Niger

Some topics in this essay:
Hausa Fulani, Ceylon Japan, Interestingly British, Benin Nigeria, European American, Sierra Leone, Nigeria British, Britain Europe, Henry Navigator, West Indies, west indies, six centuries, muslim merchants, north south, middle belt,