Colonization in Nigeria By; Danny Chen Keith Knabajin Danny Solis Kevin Ford Matthew Munoz

Nigeria  The most populated country in Africa  Gain its independence in 1960  Main ethnic groups: the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo  Known for its popular music and English literature.

Nigeria Before Colonization  Nigeria was divided into territories belonging to different ethnic groups  Most dominant group was the Yoruba  Many kingdoms existed within Nigeria, Yoruba kingdom in the southwest and the Benin in the central part of the south

Nigeria Before Colonialism cont.  Believed in various gods and deities: ancestral worship  Tribes produced sculptures of iron and other metals  Main trade items at that time were ivory, kola nuts, salt, glass, coral, cloth, weapons, brass, and cowries

Effects of Colonialism  The British, French Portuguese, and other European countries began colonizing Africa  Colonization started to divided Nigeria into states  Yoruba remained one of the largest groups, however other groups were on the rise: Igbo, Hausa-Fulani

Effects of Colonialism cont.  Christianity, Islam, and other religions were introduced  indigenous beliefs began losing its influence  Slave trading became more popular, more and more tribes began participating  Slaves were more profitable than trading other goods

Colonial Institutions of Nigeria

Colonialism  Began in the early twentieth century  The English began to come in to Africa  The tried to force their religion on the Africans  It eventually drove some people insane

Institutions  Several institutions were set up to house these people  The institutions were state funded  There was very little funding by the state  The care was poor

Who and Why?  Who would be institutionalized was a big question  When the British arrived, there were many lunatics running in the streets  These were the people who were institutionalized

Famous Institutions  The Aro Mental Hospital in Abeokuta  The Yaba Lunatic Asylum in Lagos  Numerous studies of colonialism were done here  Main research was by Jonathon Sadowsky  He used patient records

Overview  Colonialism had many long term effects on the culture  It depleted and possibly destroyed clans  It took away the Nigerian rituals and tradition  Forced Christianity upon them

Impact of Christianity

Before Christianity  The Igbo’s beliefs were once very tribal in nature.  Many Deities  Representations..  Symbols  CHI

Introduction of Christianity  Portuguese Catholic priests, who landed on the shore of Nigeria with traders, first introduced Nigerians to Christianity  The major spread of the Christian church in Nigeria is clearly credited to the independent churches of the Nigerian people.

First Impressions  Not allowed in mainland  Very slow upcoming  Not highly regarded by Igbo People.  Felt like a competition.  Low numbers of Converts.  However, making an impact

Building Up…  Within Five years……………..(6)  “ “ Ten years………………(17)  “ “ Fifteen years…………...(22)  After twenty years of the Christian churches first establishing in Nigeria, there was over fifty churches set up and over a third of the population had converted.

Intent

INTENT OF COLONIALISM  Following the Napoleonic wars, the British expanded trade with the Nigerian interior.  In1885 British claims to a West African sphere of influence received international  In 1900 the company's territory came under the control of the British Government, which moved to consolidate its hold over the area of modern Nigeria

CHANGES OCCUR 1901 Nigeria became a British protectorate Nigeria became a British protectorate. In 1914, the area was formally united as the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. In 1914, the area was formally united as the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. Administratively Nigeria remained divided into the northern and southern provinces and Lagos colony. Administratively Nigeria remained divided into the northern and southern provinces and Lagos colony. Western education and the development of a modern economy proceeded more rapidly in the South than in the North, with consequences felt in Nigeria's political life ever since Western education and the development of a modern economy proceeded more rapidly in the South than in the North, with consequences felt in Nigeria's political life ever since

CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT Following World War II, in response to the growth of Nigerian nationalism and demands for independence, Following World War II, in response to the growth of Nigerian nationalism and demands for independence, successive constitutions legislated by the British Government moved successive constitutions legislated by the British Government moved Nigeria toward self-government on a representative and increasingly federal basis Nigeria toward self-government on a representative and increasingly federal basis

COLONIALISM By middle of the 20th century, when the great wave for independence was sweeping across Africa By middle of the 20th century, when the great wave for independence was sweeping across Africa The Igbos were generally regarded as more Westernized than other ethnic groups. The Igbos were generally regarded as more Westernized than other ethnic groups.

OUTCOME OF COLONIALSIM The British Monarch was still head of state but legislative power was vested in a bicameral parliament, executive power in a prime minister and cabinet, and judicial authority in a Federal Supreme Court. The British Monarch was still head of state but legislative power was vested in a bicameral parliament, executive power in a prime minister and cabinet, and judicial authority in a Federal Supreme Court. In October 1963 Nigeria proclaimed itself a Federal Republic In October 1963 Nigeria proclaimed itself a Federal Republic

Connections to the Novel

Connections to Things Fall Apart  In Things Fall Apart colonization comes into Nigeria and disturbs their lifestyle in many ways; including religion, justice, and social habits.

Connection to Religion  The religion in the novel revolves around worship of spirits, when the Christian missionaries come they condemn the old religion.  “We have been sent by this great God to ask you to leave your wicked ways and false gods and turn to him so that you may be saved when you die,” (Achebe, 120.)

Connection to Justice  A new and strange authority comes to Nigeria, the District Commissioner, and he hears cases in a court.  Colonialism also brings Kotma, or court messengers, and they enforce the Commissioners will.

Connections to Justice Cont.  New “white man’s court” decides on issues such as land disputes and behavior toward priests.  “What has happened to the piece of land in dispute? asked Okonkwo. ‘The white man’s court has decided that it should belong to Nnama’s family, who had given much money to the white man’s messengers and interpreter.’ ‘Does the white man understand our custom about land?’ ‘How can he when he does not even speak our tongue?” (Achebe, 144.)

Connection to Social Habits  The colonists don’t have the same social taboos  They accept Osu, women, children, twins, and other abominations  These people were usually not equal to men, so to accept them was unheard of  The church made these people feel accepted and loved, and this brought many to the church

Connection to Social Habits Cont.  (Mr. Kiaga speaking to an outcast wanting to enter the church) “Unless you shave off the mark of your heathen belief I will not admit you into the church, you fear that you will die. Why should that be? How are you different from other men who shave their hair? The same God created you and them. But they have cast you out like leapers.” (Achebe, 131.)

Connections to our Research  The overall effect on the culture was terrible. They lost most some of their traditions, and that’s not fair to their culture.  Examples of institutions are the church, jail, and courthouse.  In the novel their intent was to convert and exploit the Nigerian people, and they achieved this.  The impact of the Christian missionaries was significant because in the novel it all started with a new religion being introduced by the priests

Works Cited  Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart: And Related Readings. Illinois: McDougal Littell, 2002  lonialism_Africa.html lonialism_Africa.html lonialism_Africa.html   html/contents/sect3.html html/contents/sect3.html html/contents/sect3.html  africa.shtml