SOKOTO CALIPHATE

Ewurakua Dawson- Amoah

Brianna Diefenbach

Emily Bolger

THINGS TO EXPECT• Who were they?• Where were they located?• When did they exist?• What did they do?• The Rise and Fall of the Sokoto Caliphate• Sokoto Significance

SOKOTO CALIPHATE

● Who established this empire/kingdom● Founded in 1804 by Uthman dan Fodio who became

the first Sultan of Sokoto (the first sarkin-musulmi commander of the faithful)

● Facts on Uthman dan Fodio● A Fulani religious leader and teacher who lived in the

Hausa city state of Hobir● From exile he called for holy war against the leaders of

Gobir and other Hausa city states● By gathering a large army of Fulani and Hausa

supporters, he conquered Gobir and eventually Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, and the other major city states.

SOKOTO CALIPHATE● Facts Cont’d

● 1815-Uthman dan Fodio’s religious empire included most of what is now northern Nigeria and northern Cameroon

● Also influenced the holy wars in nearby regions and resulted in the creation of Islamic states in Senegal, Mali, and Chad

● He died in 1817-his son Muhammed Bello took charge of the eastern part of the empire which his brother Abdullahi became titular ruler of the western section

WHERE AND WHAT

Where were they from?● Was born in the Hausa state of Gobir (now

Nigeria) in December of 1754

What facilitates the creation of the empire/kingdom?

● The empire developed as a result of the Fulani jihands (holy wars) which took place in the first decade of the 19th century.

LOCATION• Located in:

● Northern Nigeria in Africa● One of the largest empires in Africa during the 19th

century

WHEN DID THEY EXIST• Founded in 1804 by Uthman Fodio- The first

Sultan of Sokoto. • Began to disintegrate in 1890• Fall occurred in 1903

WHAT DID THEY DO?➢ Served as the center of politics and

economics

➢ Strong armies led to successful conquests○ conquered numerous lands

➢ Promoted education○ Leaders contributed books of poetry and

texts on religion, politics, and history.

THE RISE OF SOKOTO• Developed as a result of Fulani jihads (holy wars)

● Sought to protect/ establish Islamic states • Found in 1804 by Uthman dan Fodio religious

leader/teacher initiated the jihad • After dan Fodio’s death

● Muhammed Bello took charge of eastern part ● Abdullahi- western part

• Bello eventually took over entire area and by end of his rule in 1837 most populous empire in West

• Had significant trade over trans-Saharan routes• Known for military skills and promoted scholarship--

sparked literary revival with production of religious work

THE FALL OF SOKOTO• British had more influence in the area after Berlin

Conference (1884-1885) • By 1890 internal rivalry brought civil war• European colonial armies encroached on the periphery of

the empire● Wanted more influence on Niger River

• By 1903 fell to French and British colonial armies• Great Britain mainly controlled the empire yet let the Sultan

to remain as ceremonial ruler – British ideas of peace, order and government taken into effect

SOKOTO SIGNIFICANCE

Why wasn’t it conquered during the era of exploration?• No benefits to gaining the area• No civilizations/governments set up

● Explorers saw no need to try and create one without beneficial trade

How did Sokoto Caliphate affect other regions? • Provided inspiration for a series of holy wars in

other Islamic areas• Ideas of literacy and education helped spread

the religious beliefs

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

❖ Any questions??

BIBLIOGRAPHYKevin Shillington, Encyclopedia of African History (New York: Fitzroy Dearborn,

2004).Mudasiru. “Sokoto Caliphate: It’s Rise and Fall.” International Islamic

University Malaysia. June 2009. Web. 8 February 2015. Roland Oliver and Michael Crowder, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Africa

(New York: Trewin Copplestone Books Limited, 1981); http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6110800.stm.

"Sultanate of Sokoto (Sokoto Caliphate) | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed." Sultanate of Sokoto (Sokoto Caliphate) | The Black

Past: Remembered and Reclaimed. Web. 4 Feb. 2015.“The Fall of Sokoto.” Webpulaaku.net. 1997-2014. Web. 1 February

2015.“Usman dan Fodio and the Sokoto Caliphate.” Countrystudies.us. Web.

1 February 2015.Yoo, Jiwon Amy. “Sultanate of Sokoto.” BlackPast.org: An

OnlineReference Guide to African American History. Blackpast.org, 2007- 2015. Web. 28 January 2015.