Zholinwanzano: History of Christianity in Warri
The history of Christianity in Warri, often encapsulated in the concept of Zholinwanzano , is a story of faith, encounter, and cultural transformation stretching from the 15th century to the present. It is a narrative that intertwines European missionary zeal, local leadership, and the enduring spirituality of the Warri people. Early Encounters and the Portuguese Mission Christianity reached the Warri Kingdom long before it spread across much of what is now southern Nigeria. Historical accounts record that in the early 16th century, Portuguese explorers and missionaries made contact with the Itsekiri people. By 1515, Catholic priests were present at the court of Olu Atuwatse I (Dom Domingo), who was educated in Portugal and baptized into the Christian faith. The Portuguese influence led to the establishment of one of the earliest Christian communities in West Africa, with the construction of a church in Ode-Itsekiri, traditionally regarded as the first in Nigeria . “The first Churc...