There's the question. What religions were practiced in Naija (Or the regions of West Africa that are now part of Naija) before Islam and later Christianity? Does anyone still practice these traditions today?

Well, in hausaland we were predominantly pagans. In my state, the tsumbubura reigned supreme, that is until...


In the 14th century, Islamic influence from the Mali empire had crept into Hausa land. In 1349, the King of Kano Ali Yaji Dan Tsamiya dissolved the cult of Tsumbubura, the powerful theocratic cult of the Hausa Animist religion, this sparked a wave of rebellion throughout the kingdom. At some point afterwards, the remnant of the high priests of the cult converged on Santolo, an important seat of Hausa Animism. Invigorated by religious zeal, the new 'Sultan', with the support of Wangara Muslims, descended on Santolo where an epic battle was fought.

The Battle of Santolo was to be the first in a wave conquest soon to be initiated by the Sultanate of Kano, a wave that was to see Kanoan power culminating into a Hausa Empire in the reign Sultan Muhammadu Kisoki whom according to Sultan Muhammed Bello of sokoto, " was to rule the length and breath of hausa land, from the east to the west"


Furthermore Muhammad Rumfa, our greatest king was responsible for further islamization in Kano.

Finally, the works of these great men was finalized by Bil Foduye who truly purified our islamic practices and rendered paganism obsolete.

Before the advent of Christianity and Islam in Nigeria. Traditional religion was being practiced. Where people offer sacrifices to appease the gods. The white people called it voodoo or juju. Every tribe has its own. Such as osun; they worshipped yeye osun(the water goddess) which is still being practiced till date. Even in Benin, Holy Arousa is a place of worship where the Oba is the head of the congregation. Even Arochukwu for the ibos.