History of the Jews in Nigeria

While Judaism as a religion is lengthened in age over several thousands of years, the historic presence of Judaism in Nigeria is a cause of debate, as there are several Judaic-oriented religious groups among the largest ethnic groups in the largely-populated nation. The groups claim that their religious adherences result either from hundreds of years of continuous practice of Judaic or Judaic-like customs by their ethnic groups, customs inherited from medieval Jewish ancestors in the Bilad el-Sudan or by a more-recent departure from European Christianity to modern Judaism. Either way, Judaism in Nigeria has developed demographically with the interest of Jewish peoples in other countries, especially Israel and the United States.

Igbo Jews

The Igbo Jews of Nigeria are one of the components of the Igbo ethnic group. They are said to have descended from North African or Egyptian Hebraic and later Israelite migrations into West Africa. Oral legends among the Igbo state that this migration started around 1,500 years ago. According to the Igbo lore of the Eri, Nri, and Ozubulu families, Igbo ethnic groups with Israelite descent are of the Benei Gath, Benei Zevulun, and Benei Menashe lineages.

Igbo oral legends also state that certain Nri families may be descendants of Levitical priests who migrated from North Africa. These oral histories tell that ancestors of the Igbo were family clans of Israelites, who left the northern kingdom of Israel before and during the Assyrian and Babylonian sieges. Because the Israelites came directly from the kingdom of Israel, their tribal names were carried forward in oral traditions in Nigeria.

Godians and Ibrim were Jews who maintained most of the Hebraic traditions within Igbo peoples. These groups maintained the Jewish traditions because they were more isolated from the rest of Nigerian society. The majority of the ethnic Jewish communities lost their traditions.

Certain Nigerian communities with Judaic practices have been receiving help from individual Israelis and American Jews who work in Nigeria, out-reach organizations like Kulanu, [ [http://www.kulanu.org Kulanu website] , especially relevant is the [http://www.kulanu.org/nigeria/ Nigeria] page, which treats the Igbo question more extensively.] and African-American Jewish communities in America. Jews from outside Nigeria founded two synagogues in Nigeria, which are attended and maintained by Igbos.

Because no formal census has been taken in the region, the number of Igbos in Nigeria who identify as either Israelites or Jews is not known. There are currently 26 synagogues of various sizes. Some researchers estimate there may be as many as 30,000 Igbos practicing some form of Judaism.

Akwa Ibom and Cross River Jews

The Annang, Efik and Ibibio people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States of Nigeria have had ancient religious practices that strongly resembled some of the Jewish Torah. These include their traditional sacrifice of animals (rituals) by the presiding male of each village, or of a group of villages, for purification, especially during times of sickness.

European missionaries arriving in their land in the early 1400s AD called their religious practices "traditional religion". However, they identify their religious practices and heritage with the Jews. They are believed to be members of the Northern Kingdom of Israel who left before the Babylonian captivity and migrated to the Efik/Ibibio/Annang land of Nigeria from Egypt via Ethiopia and Sudan. They have active synagogues in the area. Synagogue services (Shabbat Services) of this region of Nigeria can be seen on the Internet, including the YouTube website.

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