Colonialism and the Sayawa (Zaar) in Transition Up to 1960

Abstract

Colonialism is the imposition of foreign rule on a territory such that the area under occupation and control loses its sovereignty independence and freedom. This development characterized the Eruo African relation after the Berlin Conference (1884-1885) which partitioned Africa among the European imperialists’ powers. Consequently, by the beginning of the 20th century vast parts of the Nigerian area including the defunct Sokoto Caliphate and indeed Bauchi emirate and its communities had been acquired by the British as its colony. The colonial period was therefore a significant epoch and indeed the turning point in the history of various communities in the Nigerian area including the Sayawa of Bauchi emirate in Northern Nigeria. This paper is colonialism and the Sayawa in transition up to the 1960. The discussion shows some of the most significant historical experience of the Sayawa from the beginning of the colonial period in 1900 to 1960. The paper examines the British conquest and occupation of Bauchi emirate and the integration of the Sayawa Community into the British political economy. Using both primary and secondary data it can be gleaned that the colonial period ushered the Sayawa Community in new developments such as entrenchment of Christian Missionary Activities and evolution of western education, among others.