Events in the 19th century helped shape today’s violence between mainly Muslim Fulani cattlemen and largely Christian farmers — a battle of blood and identity. Sokoto, an ancient city in northern Nigeria, is where many Fulani, a semi-nomadic people stretching from Lake Chad to the Atlantic coast, have their spiritual roots. “Whenever I have doubts, I come here for his help to make the right decision.”ROOTS OF CONFLICTIn 1804, Fodio, a learned Fulani, declared holy war on despotic leaders. Many of these faithful are barely-literate Fulani herders who have not read any of Fodio’s writings but learned of him through madrassas, or Islamic schools. The conflict in Nigeria between Fulani and sedentary farmers has erupted in a fertile central region called the Middle Belt.

Source: Taipei Times June 30, 2019 15:56 UTC