The Gods in Retreat

Book excerpt: A historical study of religion, and the causes, effects and responses to religious change in Nigeria. The contributors analyse growth in religion and offer explanations for the massive drift from traditional religions to Christianity and Islam during the colonial and post-colonial periods which resulted in Christian and Muslim groups each constituting over 40% of the entire African population, the most rapid growth in Islam and Christianity in any time in the history of Africa. They trace how these changes transformed traditional religions noting aspects of continuity and discontinuity within them; and assess the impact of the missionaries and conversion, urbanisation and Western education on these traditional religions. The study also considers the relationship between orthodox Islam, dominant in Northern Nigeria, and 'Ahmadiyya' Islam. It assesses the conflicts between different Muslim groups, and Muslims and Christians within the political context of Nigeria. First published in 1985, this is a timely re-issue providing the historical background, necessary to understanding the current issues in Nigeria today and their political impact.