Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Some Perspectives on the Religious Beliefs and Practices among the Gbagyi of the Middle River Kaduna Valley in the Pre- Colonial Period

Idris Abubakar Zakari, Muhammad Thalith Abubakar Jagaba

Abstract

The Middle River Kaduna Valley* is a strip of land that is located in the Eastern part of Niger State of North Central Nigeria. Today, this area is referred to as Minna emirate. The dominant ethnic group inhabiting the region are Gbagyi. In the pre-colonial period the Gbagyi in the area of study have their religion. This religion to Gbagyi, are things that involved their personal and communal experience of scared and set of beliefs and practices that defines the relations between the people and sacred or divinity. As Gbagyi’s ldeas that are exclusive and relate to their existence, characteristics and worship of deity or deities, the religion provides the Gbagyi with social comfort, acts as social control which individual conducts are regularized and served as a power source of sanctions that constitutes values which the Gbagyi society relied upon. It is against this background that this paper would provide some perspectives on the Gbagyi religious beliefs and practices with a view to creating a clear understanding on the traditional religious beliefs and practices, it’s significance, and position today considering the historical development the Gbagyi went through as a result of their contact with foreign cultures.

Keywords

Religious Beliefs and PracticesGbagyiMiddle River Kaduna ValleyPre- Colonial Period

References

Baba I., ‘The Role of Gbagyi’s in the Hausa State of Abuja, 1807 – 1979’, B. A. Project, Department of History, Kano: Bayero University, 1982. Bala, A. K., Notes on some Aspects of Gbagyi History, Minna: Abayi Resources Production, 2008. Baraje, I., Gbagyi Anyibesisi, Minna: Ajiboye Printers, 1998. Beyers, J., ‘What is Religion? An African Understanding’, http://www.hts.org.za, p. 4 retrieved on 3 rd August, 2018. Byanyiko, F. N., Topics on Gbagyi History,Jos: Idakula Press, 1979. Danburi, A. N., ‘The Dynamics of the OrimCult in Tarok land of Plateau State’,Lapai: Journal of Central Nigeria History, vol. 1, No. 1, December 2007. Darling, P. ‘Migrants Millennialist and Mayhem: Kari-Kari, Ningi, Gwari, Kwatarkwashi and Zuru enclaves in Northern Nigeria, Azania: Vol. 34, 2004. Diko, I., Gbagyi Culture, Kaduna: Ebenezer Graphic Printers, 1988. Enock, B.J. and Yusuf, L.S.Ayuba, Gbagyi/Gbari Witchcraft and New Social Order, Ibadan: Wright intergrated Publishers 2016. Filaba, M.A. History of Rubochi, Ethiopia: Jimma University Press, 1960 Galadima, B., Gbagyi as a Native, Minna: Famous Publishers, 2000. Gbefwi, M. Y., ‘The Gbagyi Heritage’, Abuja Mirror, Abuja: Vol. 1., No. 15, 18 th April, 1995. Idris, Z. A., ‘Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto’s Islamization among the Gbagyi of the River Kaduna Valley’, The Islamic Quarterly Journal of Islamic Perspective, vol. 58, No. 3, London: Central Mosque 2014. Idris, Z. A., ‘Sir Ahmadu Bello, The Sardauna of Sokoto’s Conversion Campaign and the Spread of Islam among the Gbagyi of former Minna Chiefdom’, M. A. Dissertation, Department of Islamic Studies, Sokoto: Usmanu Danfodiyo University, 2006. Idris, Z. A., ‘The Railway Factor in the Economic Development of Minna Town, 1908 – 1960’, Journal of Multi- Disciplinary Research and Development, Vol. 3, No. 7, America: Worldwide, 2017. Isah, B.N. ‘The Evolution of the State systems Among The Gbagyi of the Middle River Kaduna Valley C. 1860-1981’, Ph.D Thesis, Department of History, Abuja: University of Abuja; 2003. Iyasare, A., ‘Gwaris; A people, A Culture’, Kaduna:The Democrat Weekly, 18 th January, 1994. Koce, J., “Trends in Gbagyi Community Life (I)’, Minna: News line, 27 th June, 1990. Bawa, M.M., “The Life and Time of Alhaji Ahmadu Bahago, the first Emir of Minna”, M.A. Dissertation, Department of History, Abuja: University, 2003. Sa’ad, A. ‘Northern Provinces Under Colonial Rule: 1900-1959’, O. Ikime (eds), Ground Work of Nigerian History, Nigeria: Historical Society of Nigeria, 1980. Sada, Y. Y., Gbagyiza: History and Culture of Gbagyi Speaking People, Abuja: Federal Capital Territory, Council of Arts and Culture, Garki, 1996. Shazin, K.K. ‘Distinction between Culture and Religion’, Abuja: Gbari Christian National Magazine Vol.1 No.1, 2007 Shekwo, J.A. ‘Traditions of Gwari’, Lagos: African Magazine, 1986 Shuaibu, N. and H. Dallatu, The Gwari, Gade and Koro Tribes in Abuja Emirate, Ibadan: University Press, 1962. Sule, M. ‘Impact of British Colonial Rule on Gbagyi, 1900-1960’, M.A. Dissertation, Zaria’: Ahmadu Bello University, 1988. Temple, C. L., Tribes, Provinces, Emirates and States of Northern Nigeria, London: Frank Cass and Co. Ltd., 1926. Yusuf, A.S. Gbari Knunu: The Renaissance of identity, Abakwa – Kaduna: Nadabo Printing Production, 2014 Zahar, R., Colonialism and Alienation, Benin: Ethiope Publishers, 1972.