Religion in Nigeria Today by David Anyasi

Religion in Nigeria Today

Sources:

• Khatib, Luma. "Religious Demography and Diversity." PBS. PBS, July 2003. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/africa/nigeria/nigeria_religion.html>.
• Anderson, Allan. "Global Christianity- Nigeria." Global Christianity - A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World' S Christian Population- Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Pew Forum, Dec. 2011. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. <http://www.pewforum.org/christian/global-christianity-nigeria.aspx>.
• Mason, Barry. "World Socialist Web Site." Religious Conflicts in Nigeria. International Committee of the Fourth International, Feb. 2000. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. <http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2000/02/nige-f28.html>.
• Slattery, Katherine. "Religion and the Igbo People." Religion and the Igbo People. Imperial Archive Project, Aug. 2011. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. <http://www.qub.ac.uk/imperial/nigeria/religion.htm>.
• Pictures courtesy of Google images co-working with Prezi.

Christianity

The Clash

• Religion is a sensitive topic in Nigeria today
• So much so that no census has asked about religion in Nigeria since 1963
• Depending on who you ask, Muslims are 45% and Christianity is 50%, or they are split 50-50
• Violence has always followed the clash between Muslims and Christians
• With the introduction of law based on the Quran, Christian forces have been rioting and attacking Muslims (vice versa)

In Everyday Use

Statistics

• Still over 1,000 missionaries in Nigeria today
• 3,800 priests
• Since independence from Britain in 1960, more cultural aspects have been molded into the religion such as dress and dance
• Some have even taken biblical passages to support their everyday culture such as polygamy

• Around 45% of Nigeria is Christian
• Translates to 73 million people
• 15% out of the 45% is Catholic
• Greater than the population of England

History of Christianity in Nigeria

• 15th century priests traveled with Portugese traders to first introduce Nigerians to Christianity
• Held few long-term converts
• During the 19th century missions made significant conversions with their role in the abolition of slavery
• As a colony of Britain in the 1800s, Christianity was spread as schools and churches were constructed

History of Islam in Nigeria

• Since 11th century, gold traders spread the Muslim faith from North Africa to West Africa through the Trans-Saharan trade routes
• By adopting Islam, they could expand trade network and presented Nigerians as equal partners in business with the Arabs.
• Gave rise to an emirate state structure (an emirate is like a monarchy, which where ruled by a single leader the emir)

Statistics

In Everyday Use

• The remaining percent of indigenous beliefs- 5%
• Equivalent of 8 million
• About the population of New Jersey or even Switzerland

The Beliefs

• 12 out of 36 Nigerian states have accepted the Sharia, a legal code based on the Quran
• Public meetings begin with a Muslim prayer
• Regardless of beliefs, most know Muslim prayers and the five pillars of Islam( Faith,Prayer,Charity,Fasting,and Pilgrimage to Mecca)
• Dr. Sheikh Adelabu is credited to the continued spread in Nigeria and other countries around the world today

• Indigenous practices still thrive in Southwest Nigeria like the Igbo culture
• Often this theology includes ancestor worship with that of primordial spirits or supernatural entities inhabiting the local area
• Some Igbo gods/goddesses include: Amadiaro, god of lightning and thunder; Ani, earth goddess; Chikwu, the lead god; or even Ifejioku the yam spirit
• Prayer is usually meant to protect from misfortune and ward off evil spirits

Islam Religion

Indigenous Beliefs

In Everyday Use

Statistics

• Even Muslims and Christians often use old rituals from indigenous beliefs
• Has molded into the Nigerian way of life
• Wearing amulets is a common example
• Secret societies and cults are still around to protect against evil spirits and keep old religions and customs around

• Roughly 50% of Nigeria's population is Muslim
• This means around 80 million people
• About the same size as the population of Germany

by DAVID ANYASI