At the crossroads of major trade routes and characterised by intense human circulations, the area... more At the crossroads of major trade routes and characterised by intense human circulations, the area that encompasses northern Nigeria and southern Niger is a privileged space to study transnational religious dynamics. Islam is, indeed, an essential feature of this region assuming today new forms in terms of discourses, practices, and modes of dissemination. In order to capture their changing complexity and diversity, regional Islamic dynamics need to be observed from both sides of the Niger-Nigeria border, where religious patterns echo each other but also obey different socio-political injunctions. While studying the processes of religious renewal and mutation, it is necessary to pay attention to the varied forms these processes take, to their direct and indirect effects and to the channels of transmission used. An interdisciplinary team of seven researchers from Niger, Nigeria, France and the United Kingdom was set up to conduct this transnational study; all authors carried out ethnographic fieldwork in both countries while constantly exchanging, comparing and discussing their respective findings with each other. Thus, this book provides first-hand material collected in the field, that contributes to enrich the reflexion on contemporary transformation dynamics in the Islamic landscapes of Niger and Nigeria, but also reflects the relevance of a transnational and comparative approach of these phenomena. Finally, it showcases the collaborative work of African and European scholars from Francophone and Anglophone countries - a type of scientific partnership rarely encountered.
A recent special issue of Perspectives on Terrorism, published in December 2017 (Volume 11, Numbe... more A recent special issue of Perspectives on Terrorism, published in December 2017 (Volume 11, Number 6, pp. 174-190), included an article by Jacob Zenn entitled “Demystifying al-Qaida in Nigeria: Cases from Boko Haram’s Founding, Launch of Jihad and Suicide Bombings.” (URL: http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php/pot/article/view/666/1326 ) The article makes problematic claims that we - as specialists who have done research on Boko Haram - believe merit a response.
Rabidh Fadl Allah, un aventurier soudanais, conquis et occupa Bornou entre 1893 et 1900. Cette oc... more Rabidh Fadl Allah, un aventurier soudanais, conquis et occupa Bornou entre 1893 et 1900. Cette occupation fut sans precedent ; pour la premiere fois de son histoire, l'Etat de Bornou tomba sous domination etrangere et sous une impitoyable dictature militaire. Alors que les precedentes dynasties Sayfawa et al-Kanemi surent se faire accepter et acquerir une legitimite assez facilement grâce a une subtile combinaison d'ingenierie politique et de persuasion ideologique, Rabih Fadl Allah s'imposa par la force brute. Cet article examine la nature et la structure organisationnelle de l'Etat de Bornou sous Rabih Fadl Allah. L'Etat Rabih etait totalitaire. La structure de commandement militaire des envahisseurs fut imposee aux questions administratives par le biais du systeme politique ; Bornou devint un terrain legal de pillage ; l'agriculture stagna, entrainant une crise alimentaire qui fragilisa la position de Rabih des 1898 ; le commerce cessa, alors que le pillag...
Boko Haram metamorphosed from a local insurgency to a highly sophisticated fighting force capable... more Boko Haram metamorphosed from a local insurgency to a highly sophisticated fighting force capable of challenging the Nigerian military, which says a great deal about their commitment and tenacity. Though the Boko Haram has attracted world attention due to the magnitude of its violence, its unorthodox beliefs and ability to endure, its local dynamics are not well understood. This study accounts for the evolution and growth of the insurgency from its beginnings in 2002 to its current state by mostly synthesizing secondary sources and drawing from earlier research by the author. Boko Haram comes out as a highly adaptive militant Islamic movement amenable to changing its tactics and strategies to survive under intense pressure from a hostile local community, the Nigerian military, regional alliance, and an international community averse to terrorism.
... difications, from the Sayfawa mais (Tijani, 1983: 127ff). ... probably afterthe defeat of She... more ... difications, from the Sayfawa mais (Tijani, 1983: 127ff). ... probably afterthe defeat of Shehu Kyari, and was made the local ruler of "practically all the country from ... likes of Kachalla Abdullahi Ali Marghi, Abba Sanda Laminumi and Kachalla Yusuf of Ngurno had family histories of ...
At the crossroads of major trade routes and characterised by intense human circulations, the area... more At the crossroads of major trade routes and characterised by intense human circulations, the area that encompasses northern Nigeria and southern Niger is a privileged space to study transnational religious dynamics. Islam is, indeed, an essential feature of this region assuming today new forms in terms of discourses, practices, and modes of dissemination. In order to capture their changing complexity and diversity, regional Islamic dynamics need to be observed from both sides of the Niger-Nigeria border, where religious patterns echo each other but also obey different socio-political injunctions. While studying the processes of religious renewal and mutation, it is necessary to pay attention to the varied forms these processes take, to their direct and indirect effects and to the channels of transmission used. An interdisciplinary team of seven researchers from Niger, Nigeria, France and the United Kingdom was set up to conduct this transnational study; all authors carried out ethnographic fieldwork in both countries while constantly exchanging, comparing and discussing their respective findings with each other. Thus, this book provides first-hand material collected in the field, that contributes to enrich the reflexion on contemporary transformation dynamics in the Islamic landscapes of Niger and Nigeria, but also reflects the relevance of a transnational and comparative approach of these phenomena. Finally, it showcases the collaborative work of African and European scholars from Francophone and Anglophone countries - a type of scientific partnership rarely encountered.
A recent special issue of Perspectives on Terrorism, published in December 2017 (Volume 11, Numbe... more A recent special issue of Perspectives on Terrorism, published in December 2017 (Volume 11, Number 6, pp. 174-190), included an article by Jacob Zenn entitled “Demystifying al-Qaida in Nigeria: Cases from Boko Haram’s Founding, Launch of Jihad and Suicide Bombings.” (URL: http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php/pot/article/view/666/1326 ) The article makes problematic claims that we - as specialists who have done research on Boko Haram - believe merit a response.
Rabidh Fadl Allah, un aventurier soudanais, conquis et occupa Bornou entre 1893 et 1900. Cette oc... more Rabidh Fadl Allah, un aventurier soudanais, conquis et occupa Bornou entre 1893 et 1900. Cette occupation fut sans precedent ; pour la premiere fois de son histoire, l'Etat de Bornou tomba sous domination etrangere et sous une impitoyable dictature militaire. Alors que les precedentes dynasties Sayfawa et al-Kanemi surent se faire accepter et acquerir une legitimite assez facilement grâce a une subtile combinaison d'ingenierie politique et de persuasion ideologique, Rabih Fadl Allah s'imposa par la force brute. Cet article examine la nature et la structure organisationnelle de l'Etat de Bornou sous Rabih Fadl Allah. L'Etat Rabih etait totalitaire. La structure de commandement militaire des envahisseurs fut imposee aux questions administratives par le biais du systeme politique ; Bornou devint un terrain legal de pillage ; l'agriculture stagna, entrainant une crise alimentaire qui fragilisa la position de Rabih des 1898 ; le commerce cessa, alors que le pillag...
Boko Haram metamorphosed from a local insurgency to a highly sophisticated fighting force capable... more Boko Haram metamorphosed from a local insurgency to a highly sophisticated fighting force capable of challenging the Nigerian military, which says a great deal about their commitment and tenacity. Though the Boko Haram has attracted world attention due to the magnitude of its violence, its unorthodox beliefs and ability to endure, its local dynamics are not well understood. This study accounts for the evolution and growth of the insurgency from its beginnings in 2002 to its current state by mostly synthesizing secondary sources and drawing from earlier research by the author. Boko Haram comes out as a highly adaptive militant Islamic movement amenable to changing its tactics and strategies to survive under intense pressure from a hostile local community, the Nigerian military, regional alliance, and an international community averse to terrorism.
... difications, from the Sayfawa mais (Tijani, 1983: 127ff). ... probably afterthe defeat of She... more ... difications, from the Sayfawa mais (Tijani, 1983: 127ff). ... probably afterthe defeat of Shehu Kyari, and was made the local ruler of "practically all the country from ... likes of Kachalla Abdullahi Ali Marghi, Abba Sanda Laminumi and Kachalla Yusuf of Ngurno had family histories of ...
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