Title: Religious Transformation and Coexistence in Taraba State: A Historical Study of Traditional Beliefs, Islam, and Christianity (1900-2020)
Authors: Joseph Umar Bibinu
Volume: 9
Issue: 11
Pages: 242-249
Publication Date: 2025/11/28
Abstract:
: This study explored the historical trajectory of religious transformation and coexistence in Taraba State, Nigeria, from 1900 to 2020, focusing on the interactions among traditional African religions, Islam, and Christianity. Using a historical-analytical method supported by oral testimonies, colonial records, and secondary literature, the research traced the persistence and adaptation of indigenous religious systems among ethnic groups such as the Fulani, Jukun, Mambila, Tiv, and Kuteb prior to and alongside external religious influences. It established that Islam expanded through the Fulani-led jihad and the establishment of the Muri Emirate, embedding Islamic law, education, and authority structures into local societies. Christianity, introduced by European missionaries with colonial support, spread through schools, health institutions, and evangelism, particularly in non-Islamized areas like Sardauna and Wukari. The study further analyzed the dynamics of religious coexistence, highlighting instances of peaceful interfaith collaboration as well as conflict, often exacerbated by ethnic rivalries and political competition. In the contemporary era, the rise of Pentecostalism, Islamic reform movements, and digital religious engagement reshaped spiritual life, while traditional religious practices resurfaced as expressions of cultural identity. The findings demonstrate that religion in Taraba is not only a spiritual force but also a medium of social organization, identity formation, and political negotiation. By offering a nuanced account of faith-based interactions over a century, the study contributes to broader discourses on religious pluralism, intergroup relations, and conflict transformation in Nigeria's Middle Belt.