ISLAM AND RELIGIOUS CHANGE IN ILÉ-IFÈ, SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA, 1903-1939

Abstract

The spread of Islam across West Africa permeated several parts of Yorùbáland, including Ilé-Ifè, the sacred city of the Yorùbá. While there is a consensus that the presence of Islam in Yorùbáland dates back several centuries, the religion appears not to have made inroads into Ilé-Ifè until the 20th century – thus, making the advent of Islam in Ilé Ifè a recent phenomenon. Despite being a recent event, the history of Islam in Ilé-Ifè has been a subject of a few scholarly endeavours. Thus, there is a compelling need to explore certain aspects of the history of Islam in Ile-Ife. Using primary and secondary sources, the study examines the history of Islam in Ilé-Ifè within the contexts of its advent, religious contest, adaptation, and change. The findings of this study are that Islam was subjected to resistance upon advent, which culminated in a religious contest that led to several deaths. In addition, the study showed the dexterity of the people in the resolution of the religious contest and the adaptation of the natives to the presence of Islam which led to several changes. The study concludes that despite the setbacks it encountered, Islam continues to thrive in Ilé-Ifè, the city of Yorùbá gods.