Brimah

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. You can assist by editing it now. A how-to guide is available. (January 2008)

The Brimah family is a very large migrant African family that began with the Sokoto Caliphate in Nigeria's Northern border state, Sokoto. They initially resided in Birnin Kebi, and then were a part of the Fulanis, who were invited to the Kwara state capital, Ilorin, to help the Ilorin Yoruba ward off the Oyo empire.^{[citation needed]}

Contents 1 Exile from Ilorin 2 Ghana 3 Recent History 4 References

[edit] Exile from Ilorin

The Brimah family, along with the Gambari family and the now Alao family came as leaders with other Fulani warriors and fought off the Oyo army. Ilorin, its name meaning 'grind Iron', hence became part of the Northern empire, as these Fulanis stayed and ruled Ilorin.^{[citation needed]}

After the first Gambari Emir of Ilorin died, the family decided to rule as a monarchy, and transfer the title automatically to the next in kin. The Brimah opposed this, and protested for an election system instead. An election was held, the Brimah candidate lost, and the Gambari son won. Knowing the potential repercussions, Brimah left with about 13 family members on a self-imposed exile in the middle of the night. His spiritualist had told him he should not stop on his journey until he got to a river he could not cross, so Brimah travelled through countries on the West African coast, including the Benin republic, Togo and then the Gold Coast (now Ghana). In Accra, he came in contact with the Atlantic Ocean. Since he could not cross the ocean, he understood the location to be where his spiritualist had advised him to settle. His first house near the Accra coast was on the current site of the Accra General Post Office. Brimah then settled with his family and started trade in Ghana. The location of his early business activities was named Cowlane because of Brimah's trade in cattle. Many of Brimah's descendants still live in the Cowlane area.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Ghana

His great success, selling kola nuts, and other imports and exports, quickly raised him in status in the Accra region of the Gold Coast. Soon Brimah was selected by the Colonial government as leader of all Muslims in Ghana (Zongo community). The current head of the Brimah family, Chief Abdul Aziz Brimah now holds that official title. He was chosen above the Hausas and Fulanis, who felt they had a greater right to the Muslim leadership than Brimah who was of Yoruba/Fulani origin.^{[citation needed]}

Brimah's first wife in Accra was Fatima Peregrino, a first generation Brazilian in Accra. The Peregrinos were a part of a local Brazilian community known as the Tabom people. The Tabom were included in a group of former slaves in Brazil involved in the 1836 Muslim rebellion in Bahia, Brazil. The Portuguese authorities deported those found guilty of this rebellion from Brazil. Some of the deportees ended up in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana. The first President of Togo, Sylvanus Olympio, was from such a family. Brimah had four wives, and all of his children from Fatima Peregrino adopted the last name Peregrino-Brimah.

His family is accredited with many achievements including commissioning of the first Tap, pipe borne water in Ghana, and building the first story building. The Brimah family is currently spread all over the world.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Recent History

The current Chief, Chief Abdul Aziz Brimah, volunteered during WWII and fought in Burma, gratification was accorded him in the Memorial Gates Trust Foundation along with other men and women from India, Africa and the Caribbean who served in World War I and II.[1] [2]

He also was part of the protest with other WWII veterans that led to the liberation of Ghana from colonial rule, on March 6, 1957, making it the first African nation to gain independence from colonial rule and also becoming the flagbearer for African liberation from colonial rule.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

This article does not cite any references or sources. (April 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.