The Sword of Truth: The Life and Times of the Shehu Usuman Dan Fodio (Islam and Society in Africa)

At the turn of the 18th to the 19th century, a revolutionary movement arose in Hausaland (now part of northern Nigeria) that was to have a profound influence on the subsequent history of the area. At its centre was a man who bore the Hausa name Shehu Usuman dan Fodio - the Shaikh 'Uthman, son of Fodio. The movement he led, and the successful "jihad", or holy war, he fought to reform Islam in Hausaland, brought about significant changes in Africa. This study of this important figure details the history of his movement and the effects it had on the subsequent development of Hausa society. First published in 1973 and long out of print, this new paperback edition includes a new introduction by the author.