From non-violent protests to suicide bombing: social movement theory reflections on the use of suicide violence in the Nigerian Boko Haram

This article uses the northern Nigerian-born Boko Haram to reflect on the development and use of suicide violence in Salafi-Islamist groups. Drawing on data from a combination of semi-structured interviews and a secondary analysis of previous research on the group, the article investigates how suici...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Amaechi, Kingsley Ekene (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: ASRSA [2017]
In: Journal for the study of religion
Year: 2017, Volume: 30, Issue: 1, Pages: 52-77
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Boko Haram / Salafīyah / Protest movements / Suicide bombings
RelBib Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
BJ Islam
KBN Sub-Saharan Africa
Further subjects:B Boko-Haram
B Suicide Violence
B Violence
B Salafi-Islamist groups
B Social Movement Theory
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
Volltext (kostenfrei)
Description
Summary:This article uses the northern Nigerian-born Boko Haram to reflect on the development and use of suicide violence in Salafi-Islamist groups. Drawing on data from a combination of semi-structured interviews and a secondary analysis of previous research on the group, the article investigates how suicide bombing developed and became a significant strategy for goal attainment within the group. Rather than 'exceptionalise' suicide violence, the article analyses this element as part of a fluid and evolving spectrum of movement tactics that evolves as such groups try to achieve their goals within the particular socio-political environment in which they identify.
ISSN:2413-3027
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for the study of religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.17159/2413-3027/2017/v30n1a3