Usman Dan Fodio is adulated today in many parts of West Africa as a radical, whose brand of Muslim religion was different from the Muslim he met before 19th century. Africans religions were not by force or tulasi. The attraction was the fruit of your prayers. Conversion came with the Christians and the Muslims missionaries to “civilize” Africa. We have never got out of their crusade and jihad since. If you are not one of them, you are as good as a dead kaferi or brute.
Christian and Muslim missionaries’ left undivided powers in the hands of Sultan and Emirs that enhanced deadly religious consequences in the North compared to South where activists not Oba or Obi got political power. Emirs in the North have been under pressure to make sure they adhere to Dan Fodio radical teaching of Islamic Sharia by Boko Haram well before 80 year old Ado Bayero and Sultan of Sokoto were attacked. The double edge sword killed Gwoza Emir.
Some of you may remember that Osama predicted chaos in Nigeria, Adamu Ciroma promised later that Nigeria will be ungovernable unless we return to theocracy. Where is Osama today? Usman Dan Fodio descendants claim the same ancestry as the Barbers and Arabs. Also it is not unusual for Africans that have been converted to Christians and Muslims to believe they are related to their conquerors by identifying with them as Egyptians and Israeli descendants.
But it was the tolerant African sharp shooters that once ruled their holy lands they toppled by unified Army of Arabs and treated as second class citizens like other African slaves captured later. “What became of the Black people of Sumer?’ the traveler asked the old man, for ancient records show that the people of Sumer were Black. `What happened to them?’ `Ah,’ the old man sighed. `They lost their history, so they died.” — Sumerian Proverb History: Runoko Rashidi.
When Africans decided on Independence they not only forgot economic Independence but also left religious Independence behind. Most African Christians and Muslims blindly believe holy books in good faith presented to them by their conquerors. Once they are told that it is written by cave men, they must accept it. But question their own religions asking for scientific proof.
Theocratic rule in Northern Nigeria by the religious Sultan and Emirs as politicians continued until the military took over. Sardauna of Sokoto was not only the traditional ruler and acclaimed descendant of Usman Dan Fodio, also the most powerful politician picking his Prime Minister. The enormous power he welded may not be as powerful today, but still commands a great deal of religious fanatics, willing to kill kaferi if they refuse to follow Dan Fodio theocratic dynasty.
The Hausa were one of the most peaceful people before the coming of Usman Dan Fodio. They have abandoned their religions and converted to the radical Islam of Dan Fodio. This is why we have Hausa killing Hausa sisters and brothers without guilt. The religious fever is worse than drugs because it is permanent and bequeathed from parent to children. In case of Hausa, only a few contented with what they have remained loyal to their indigenous religion, but in private.
So we have problem with Africans claiming to be descendants of Dan Fodio in the northern parts of West African countries. As the traditional rulers in the southern parts of African countries gave way to secular rulers, the power of Usman Dan Fodio Emirs remained intact suppressing the old Hausa Empires. Therefore, Hausa have remained subservient to Fulani and cannot mount any important political position, without claiming some related blood to Fulani.
This is how Maitatmasine and Boko Haram took hold so easily in the North. Encouraged by the powerful Sultans and Emirs whose allegiance is to foreign holy lands, they have immunity to commit crimes disguised as religion. No matter what their offences, they were usually released into the hands of Sultans and Emirs promising they would not be repeated offenders when in fact they are recruited again and again for atrocities that favor their governors and Emirs.
Just as the southern politicians recruit hooligans during elections to cause mayhem, northern politicians also used their followers to double as religious and political fanatics. There is hardly any difference between politicians. The Southern politicians are more diversified in religious beliefs than their Northern counterparts. It is not uncommon to preach that North is one except when it comes to domination; the North-central Christians then become glorified token North.
No matter how African or black, Hausa man is, he must claim to be Fulani to mount any throne generally in the northern part of West Africa, especially Nigeria. They also adhere to the radical form of Muslims practiced by their so called relations. Since the radical Al Qaeda raised its terrorist brand from Arab countries to Asia countries, West African Muslims in the North have embraced most of it introduced by the religious keepers of Usman Dan Fodio radical Muslims.
The irony of it is that Muslims in the southern part of West Africa whose traditional rulers were dislocated by Christian and Muslim missionary preachers, had some in their midst practicing both religions while clinging to their traditional beliefs. It is worthy of note that separation of power emasculate traditional rulers in the south while concentration within Muslim rulers in the north inflame radicalism. Nowhere is this better displayed than amongst southern Yoruba.
Yoruba have been studied by scholars of different race and cultures. Where they lead the whole world is in their tolerance and accommodation of different religious faith within the same communities and the same families. Southerners do not slaughter one another for religions. They have churches, mosques and traditional shrines built within distance. Indeed, it becomes annoying when they are so close because of noise pollution from their daily calls on members.
In such communities, it becomes difficult to use foreign religion accepted but not the only one practiced, as instrument of terror to kill and maim within families and communities. The secular rulers that are their sons and daughters still pay homage to Oba or Obi, but the Obi who is the keeper of culture and traditional religion are limited in power.
Written Farouk Martins Aresa
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