Human world
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The name Hausa refers to people from different cultural origins who share the Hausa language and usually practise Islam. Most Hausa live in Northern Nigeria and Southern Niger. They are one of the largest and most widespread of African peoples. They have trading and craft-producing communities settled in towns and cities throughout much of West Africa.
Islam arrived along trade routes from North Africa in the 13th century. It spread among traders and political elites, but not usually to farmers and fishermen. Islam became widespread in Hausaland during the early 1800s following an Islamic revolutionary movement, or ‘jihad’, that established a powerful centralised state - the Sokoto Caliphate.
During the 19th century, Hausa traders gradually shifted their activities away from the ancient routes across the Sahara Desert, to the coastal markets linked to European maritime trade. Trans-Saharan caravans came to an end in the early 20th century, but the Hausa have remained important traders.