THE INTRODUCTION AND SPREAD OF ISLAM IN MANGU TOWN SINCE 1908

The paper examined the history of Islam in Mangu town since 1908. The history of Islam in Mangu town spanned over a century. It was introduced during the colonial period, but this was after a failed jihad by the first emir of Bauchi emirate in the 1840s. This later accelerated in the post independence period as a result of the Sardauna conversion campaigns. There has been a total neglect of the theme of Islam in Mwaghavul people's history, in spite of the gamut of events that had occurred in pre-colonial, colonial and post-independence periods. Hence, Islam first came to Mangu through the Hausa and Kanuri tin miners from Northern Nigeria in 1908. The study investigated the origin and spread of Islam in Mangu town. It also examined development so far noticed and some factors that have influenced it in Mangu. The outcome of this study provides additional resources and additional information on the growth of Islam in Mangu town. As a historical research, the study adopted historical method using archival materials, oral interviews and secondary data to analyse and describe the journey of Islam in Mangu town. Importantly, theories such as social change and continuity, migration and conversion theories were considered in the study. The study found that the peaceful introduction of Islam in Mangu and its success was as a result of the British conquest of the Mwaghavul people of Mangu in 1907. The Sardauna of Sokoto Sir Ahmadu Bello was instrumental in converting the traditional chiefs (Mishkagham) of Mangu and Bungha in 1963; the act was significant as their families, friends and followers converted along with them in the post independence era.