Cotton growing and textile production in northern Nigeria : from caliphate to protectorate, c.1804-1914
The thesis explores the linked history of the dynamic precolonial handicraft textile industry of Northern Nigeria and the failure of British colonial efforts to capture the cotton harvest for export. During the nineteenth century, Northern Nigeria was politically organised into two major Muslim states: Borno and the Sokoto Caliphate (1804-1900). This vast area of savanna, lying between Lake Chad and the upper Niger, became the British Protectorate Northern Nigeria between 1900 and 1914. Following the creation of the Caliphate in 1804, textile production expanded considerably during the century, with its products being sold over most of West Africa by Hausa merchant networks centred on the city of Kano, which was the largest industrial and commercial centre in tropical Africa. After the proclamation of the British Protectorate, the powerful British Cotton Growing Association attempted to make Northern Nigeria a vast new centre of cotton cultivation. However, most of the cotton cultivated in the area was absorbed by the looms of local weavers benefitting primarily local textile production rather than the export market. Conflicts between the colonial government and market forces, together with the efficiency
Candotti, Marisa
Cotton growing and textile production in northern Nigeria : from caliphate to protectorate, c.1804-1914. The thesis explores the linked history of the dynamic precolonial handicraft textile industry of Northern Nigeria and the failure of British colonial efforts to capture the cotton harvest for export. During the nineteenth century, Northern Nigeria was politically organised into two major Muslim states: Borno and the Sokoto Caliphate (1804-1900). This vast area of savanna, lying between Lake Chad and the upper Niger, became the British Protectorate Northern Nigeria between 1900 and 1914. Following the creation of the Caliphate in 1804, textile production expanded considerably during the century, with its products being sold over most of West Africa by Hausa merchant networks centred on the city of Kano, which was the largest industrial and commercial centre in tropical Africa. After the proclamation of the British Protectorate, the powerful British Cotton Growing Association attempted to make Northern Nigeria a vast new centre of cotton cultivation. However, most of the cotton cultivated in the area was absorbed by the looms of local weavers benefitting primarily local textile production rather than the export market. Conflicts between the colonial government and market forces, together with the efficiency
cotton grow textile_production northern_nigeria caliphate protectorate explores link history dynamic handicraft textile_industry northern_nigeria failure british_colonial effort capture cotton harvest export northern_nigeria politically organise two_major muslim state caliphate vast area lie lake upper niger become british protectorate northern_nigeria following creation caliphate textile_production expand considerably century product sell west_africa hausa merchant network centre city large industrial commercial centre tropical africa proclamation british protectorate powerful british cotton growing association attempt_make northern_nigeria vast new centre cotton cultivation however cotton cultivate area absorb local benefit primarily local textile_production rather export market conflicts colonial_government market_force together efficiency