CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
At first glance, the subject of Islamic influence on the Dukku people toward the attitude of marriage seem easy to write about, but it is, infact extremely difficult. No previous researcher, either early or modern, has compiled any work dealing specifically with this topic. And if there is, I couldn’t find any to lay my hands on. I personally conducted oral interview with the people of the area and others.
There has been hardly any attempt, however, to arrive at this Islamic influence in its totality and to access the importance of its contribution to the people of Dukku.
Therefore, this research work aim is to give a comprehensive study of this influence. I must give more emphasis however, that this study will be giving from the standard prime of Islam and that of the historian of Dukku people. And as a result of lack of written materials and historical document, likely, it may crave indulgence for a short coming in this aspect of my research, most especially, the specification of some happenings.
Dukku people like any other tribal groups, have differed in defining the scope variety and causes of taboo and prohibition, most of which were a product of their primitive beliefs, culture and civic. Then came the divinely revealed religion (Islam) with laws and injunctions uplifted human being from level of culture and animism to the level of dignity which befits a human being.
The researcher therefore, focuses on certain laws and injunctions of Islam, especially, those that deal with marriage and it impact on marital status and custom of the Aborigine people in Dukku.
Islam has therefore succeeded in uprooting numerous superstitions and illicit practices in the norms and culture of marriage of the people of Dukku, more especially, the conditions governing the validity of marriage is seriously affected by the Islamic system. Likewise, the purpose upholds by the primitive of Dukku people and the polygamous system of marriage is also influenced. So also, the prohibited degree of marriage which was given less concern in the others which were considered as the core subject or point, were discussed in very handwork.
1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
This research is intended to study the effect of Islam on the attitudes of the elite Muslim toward the marital status in Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State. Among the aims of this research project are:-
• The researcher’s zeal to expose readers to the field of the Muslim elite marital system in the society.
• To emphasize and highlight the Islamic influence on such a marital system.
• To help the subsequent researchers to have a first hand information that will serve as a clue in expansion of this topic having not every aspects of the Muslim elites’ attitude toward marriage in completely exhausted here.
1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The researcher is obliged to state here the problems on the need that prompted the writing of this project. This problem is nothing other than to know the mode of marriage that existed and practiced by the Muslims elites and to know the actual origin of the Dukku people, the history of the Islamization of the people in the area, their occupation and settlement and also how Islam affected the life of the Dukku people but with a particular reference to marriage institution of their Muslims elites.