GST 112 Test Compilations 15

Study Summary: Nigerian History, Culture & Society

I. Historical Overview & Key Eras

• City Historical Explanation: Comprises origins, growth, and the interactions of various groups in time perspectives.
• Pre-colonial Era:
  • Nupe women traders: Involved in both local and long-distance trade.
  • Traditional Governance:
    • Ruler in Onitsha, Oguta, Osomari, Aboh: Obi.
    • Founder of Itshekiri kingdom: Iginua.
    • Women titled office-holders in Old Oyo/New Oyo (under Alafin) played important roles in Palace administration.
  • Trade Routes: Tripoli-Fezzan-Bilma trans-Saharan trade route ended in Kanem-Borno.
  • Slavery: Between the 15th and 19th centuries, millions were forced out of the Nigerian area through the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, which was an important means of labour recruitment.
  • Islamization in Hausaland: Facilitated expansion of (context missing in question, but implies religious or cultural aspects).
• Colonial Era (British):
  • Motives: Major motive for European colonial presence was Economic.
  • Key Figures & Events:
    • Ajayi Crowther wrote "Grammar and Vocabulary of the Yoruba Language" in 1843.
    • "Iwe Irohin" was published by CMS.
    • Sokoto Caliphate conquered by the British in 1903.
    • Nigerian Export Timber Trade at Koko established in 1916.
    • Aba Women Riot took place in 1929.
    • King of Lagos, Oba Dosunmu, ceded territory to the British in 1861.
    • Kaduna was founded by the British in 1913.
  • Impact & Resistance:
    • Colonial cities had Modern functional facilities.
    • British conquest of Nigerian communities attracted Resistance from Nigerians.
    • The establishment of "Nigerian Native Churches" was an indication for Nigerians to throw off the yoke of "spiritual or religious" colonialism.
    • Indirect rule system: Corrupt leaders often saw leadership as an avenue of personal enrichment.
    • Impact on Nigerian cities *did not include* development of shrines in city centres.
• Post-Colonial Era:
  • Civil War & Aftermath:
    • At the Kampala peace talks (May 1968), Biafra requested Recognition of its sovereignty.
    • Post-Civil War National Rehabilitation Commission of Nigeria was headed by Mr. Ukpabi Asika.
  • Political Developments:
    • Nigeria joined OPEC in 1971.
    • Nigeria returned to civilian rule and liberal democracy in 1999.
    • Shortest Republic in Nigeria: Third.
    • First military Head of State: Aguiyi Ironsi.
    • Ruler associated with DFFRI, MAMSER, NDE programmes: Ibrahim Babangida.
    • National Youth Service Corps Scheme promoted National integration.
    • Creation of states in Nigeria helped to address the fear of Domination.
    • Electoral manipulation leads to all except production of legitimate leaders.
    • Governor who introduced Sharia Penal Code (1999/2000): Ahmed Sanni Yerima.
  • International Recognition: 1975-1985 was referred to as the United Nations decade for women.

II. Culture, Society & Religion

• Social Customs:
  • Nigerian marriages usually start with Introduction.
  • After marriage rites, the bride is expected to go to her husband's house.
  • Chastity before marriage is usually Cherished in most Nigerian communities.
  • Amongst the Yoruba, the parent of a dead child is usually discouraged from seeing the corpse of the dead child.
  • The death of the old is often considered a Good passage.
• Gender Roles:
  • Influenced over time by Globalization.
  • Westernized Women organizations emerged and developed under the Colonial era.
  • Seclusion in purdah may curtail the freedom of women.
  • Women have largely been Marginalized in Nigerian politics.
  • Education of women enhanced all except Violence (implying it enhanced less superstitious beliefs, more hygiene, and informed motherhood).
  • Crafts women engaged in all but one of the following: Banking (implying weaving, bead-making, pottery).
• Education:
  • Traditional education equipped individuals to fit usefully into their society workspace.
  • The process by which a child learns things about his/her culture is Socialization.
• Urban Culture:
  • Includes various practices, belief systems, social forms, etc. of city dwellers.
  • Cultural examination of a city explains its various cultural components and their relationship with one another.
• Corruption & Ethics:
  • Corruption is a Multifaceted social occurrence.
  • Corruption *does not include* Equity.
  • To fight corruption, Nigerians need *not* relent in promoting anti-corruption programmes.
• Religion:
  • Pre-jihad Hausaland: *Did not widely feature* Christian missionary activities.
  • Consequence of adultery amongst the Hausa: Divorce.
  • Causes of religious crises *except* Good neighbourliness.
  • Shitta Bey, a Muslim Creole, gave 400 pounds for the building of a mosque in Lagos in the 1890s.
  • Jihad against Habe rulers in early 19th century led by Shehu Usman dan Fodio.
  • Christian leaders' initial assumption was that politics is a "dirty game" unfit for heavenly-minded Christians.
  • Earliest "Nigerian Native Pentecostal Churches" included the United Native African Church.
  • Features of foreign Pentecostal Churches initially *excluded* willingness of white priests to subordinate themselves to African leadership.
  • The Redeemed Christian Church of God was *not* founded by a woman.
  • Missionaries who contributed to cocoa cultivation in Yoruba land: Obi Abraham and J C Taylor.

III. Geography & Demographics

• Nigeria occupies an area of 923,768 sq km.
• The Hausa are found in large numbers in states like Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano.

IV. Economy & Trade

• Trade associations are also known as Guilds.