Uthman dan Fodio's Revolutionary Jihad in West Africa

The Jihad of Uthman dan Fodio was one of the successful jihadists’ activities that were carried out in the West African sub region in the 18th Century. This Jihad took place in some parts of Hausa Land.

The Hausas are one of the predominant ethnic groups in West Africa. A good number of them are in the present day Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, etc.

Hausa land was made up of independent kingdom before the Jihad of Uthman dan Fodio. These Kingdoms were independent but interacted in ways like wars, information sharing, social interactions, trade etc.

Around the 15th century, the Fulani stated migrating to the Kingdoms of Hausa land. They quickly integrated with the Hausas. The Fulani migrated from Futa Toro area from the Senegal region. They were mainly nomads.

Uthman dan Fodio was a Fulani man. His was born in Gobir one of the kingdoms in Hausa land from a Fulani parentage in December 15th, 1754. He started preaching Islam at the age of 20 years from his base in Degel in Gobir. His preaching activities led to his rise in influence and followership base. His influence made him to start nursing the idea of carrying out Jihad in the whole of Hausa land. He was encouraged by the successful Jihad activities that were carried out by some people of Fulani background in the Futa Toro region.

This course went into details of the developments and activities around the actions of Uthman dan Fodio and his followers and the resultant reactions and out come in Hausa land and beyond.