5 importance of culture in nigeria 5 importance of culture in nigeria

Furthermore, Nigerians are known for their larger-than-life celebrations, and definitely, go the extra mile to make sure to throw notable and enjoyable events for their attendees. In cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt traffic is very bad, and it takes skillful scheduling to avoid getting caught in it. by Lindsay Maizland Historically, Nigerian fashion incorporated many different types of fabrics. The Igbo people of Eastern Nigeria commonly called Ndi Igbo are a very cultural set of people. with Ivan Kanapathy, Bonny Lin and Stephen S. Roach Nigeria has two seasons: rainy season, which occurs in April until September, and dry season, which is referred to as Harmattan. Four full-color images cover the page, each of the creators and editors of influential culture and fashion magazines based in Lagos. Many Muslims and Christians may also intertwine their beliefs with more unorthodox indigenous ones. Nigerias religious affiliations have recently made it into international news due to active, militant Islamic groups. Tags: Importance Of Culture In Nigeria,Types Of Culture In Nigeria. Violation of these laws will lead to certain sanctions that are established by the community and are supported by the power of public opinion. The Yoruba culture is rich and unique drawing comparison with no other culture around. [56], Ever since the country's earliest centralization - under the Nokites at a time contemporaneous to the birth of Jesus Christ - Nigeria has been ruled by a class of titled potentates that are known as chiefs. The women wear wrappers and shirts and cover their heads with hijabs (veils).[89]. This helped spread them to some countries around Nigeria. [88] Hausa men wear barbarigas or kaftans (long flowing gowns) with tall decorated hats. The traditionally nomadic Fulani can be found all over West and Central Africa. [31] The Fulani practice the art of whipping a suitor before giving his bride to him as parts of their marriage obligation, this particular obligation has helped to increase the practice of monogamy among themselves and it is called sharo. Igbos are mostly farmers, traders, and craftsmen. The Benin people of present-day Edo state had a culture that amazed the colonial masters when they first got to the ancient Benin kingdom. Igbos are overwhelming Christians of Catholic extraction although a minority of them practice other religions such as Islam, Judaism, and the traditional Igbo religion. Nigerian literature is known throughout the world. English as a first language, however, remains an exclusive preserve of a small minority of the country's urban elite, and is not spoken at all in some rural areas. Culture is defined as the way of life of a group of people. Make a point of studying any business card you receive before putting it into a business card holder. THANKS FOR READING OUR GUIDE TO NIGERIA. T, HOW TO GET A LOCAL GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN IN NIGERIA, THE LARGEST SEAPORTS IN NIGERIA LISTS Things To Know About Them, PROBLEMS OF ETHNICITY IN NIGERIA AND SOLUTIONS. Lagos is a bustling city that has become a melting pot of Nigerian tribes. This number includes 510 living languages, 2 second languages without native speakers and 9 extinct languages. Our culture determines the way we communicate with others. Music and art are important aspects of everyday life in the Hausa/Fulani and they are well known for the Dubar celebration. Some of their native clothing materials include Aso-oke or Ofi and Adire. Culture In Nigeria Essay. Extended families are still the norm and are in fact the backbone of the social system. Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. 2022 All Rights Reserved. Their origins are steeped in great traditions of religious obeisance, traditional games, folklore, dance and drama. [63][64], Nigerian Nobel laureate[65] Wole Soyinka[66] described the work as "the first novel in English which spoke from the interior of the African character, rather than portraying the African as an exotic, as the white man would see him. In addition, Nigeria is home to an influential music scene, notably Afrobeat, which combines West African music styles with American funk and jazz. The importance of culture in Nigeria cannot be overestimated. Below are some of the most notable things about Nigerian culture. Age is believed to be the main wisdom of the nation. Traditional instruments include various types of flutes, trumpets, musical bows, xylophones, and wooden clappers, as well as many varieties of drums. Social standing and recognition is achieved through extended families. Most of the foods are spicy, especially in the west and the south. The Igbo ethnic group most produce and trade in oil, cocoa and rubber. In recent time, the styles have evolved to more contemporary designs. Photo by Muhammadtaha Ibrahim Ma'aji on Unsplash. The Bini people are closely related to several other ethnic groups that usually speak Edoid languages, for example the Esan, however it is important to address the fact that the name "Benin" (and "Bini") is a Portuguese corruption, which came from the word "Ubinu", which came into use during the reign of Oba Ewuare the Great, c. 1440. Its an active process, a lifestyle of people which is constantly growing, evolving and mutating. In outlook, education, dress and taste, the Hausa people and their counterparts the Fulani have become a significant part of the Islamic world, this said influence still remains until the current day. Gari (ground cassava), iyan (yam paste), or plantains accompany the soup. Drinks include traditional brews like palm wine. There are many ways that these meals are prepared. Nigeria is the most populous countries in Africa, and also amongst the top 20 most diverse countries in the world according to this 2013 Pew Research study. 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Challenges that include a variety of issues, such as inconsistent electricity, bad roads, and low-quality public transportation. In Nigeria, there are more than 500 languages that are spoken. Many use gestures when communicating. The most common greeting is a handshake with a warm, welcoming smile. It is the sixth largest oil-producing nation and has a well-educated and industrious society. It has become a common lingua franca as a result. From the naturalistic statues produced at Ife to the bronzes made for the king of Benin, Nigerian artists have crafted art that is world famous. We live in a multi-faceted country. The Great Wall of Benin was a great structural and architectural piece that was way ahead of time and stood to protect the ancient Benin kingdom. The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. Commonly referred to as the giant of Africa, Nigeria is highly populated and unlike any other African country. [79], Other traditional cultural expressions are found in the various masquerades of Nigeria, such as the Eyo masquerades of Lagos, the Ekpe and Ekpo masquerades of the Efik/Ibibio/Annang/Igbo peoples of coastal southeastern Nigeria, and the Northern masquerades of the Bini. Due to the ethnic make-up of the country, communication styles vary. Some of these dialects include Egba, Ekiti, Ijesha, Egun etc. They are extremely tolerant of the languages of other people around them, leading to the suppression of theirs - especially in northern Nigeria by Hausa. These environmental regions greatly affect the cultures of the people who live there. Nigerians are generally, enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. At the time of independence, many hoped that as a huge, democratic country, Nigeria would provide Africa with a seat at the table among the traditional international powers. Several things go into greeting an elder in Nigeria, including ethnic background and gender. Nigerians are generally enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. Because so many Nigerians live outside the country, funerals for non-Muslims are often delayed for a month or more to allow all the family members to make plans to return home. Many religions are followed in Nigeria. Art is created serve many purposes, among these are: 1. January 31, 2022, How Tobacco Laws Could Help Close the Racial Gap on Cancer, Interactive In spite of all these different languages, English is widely spoken around the country. Nigerian literature and its emerging figures were themselves the subject of a Times piece in November 2017. Nigerias culture is made up of several ethnic groups that speak 527 different languages. Nigeria scores 60 on this dimension and is thus a masculine society. The number of languages currently estimated and catalogued in Nigeria is 521. Culture unites people, integrates them, and ensures their strength as a community. 8 major groups account for 90% of Nigeria's population: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Kanuri, Fulani, Ibibio, Tiv. Seafood, beef, poultry, and goat are the primary sources of protein. His personalized sound, dubbed Afrobeat, is now one of the continent's most widely recognised genres. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country of almost 200 million people. As a developing country, Nigeria faces challenges regarding its infrastructure. The Hausa and Fulani people live primarily in the North, the Igbo reside in the Southeast, and the Yoruba inhabit the Southwest. Having worked in North America and Europe, attended business excursions in China, and even worked in neighboring West African countries, it is safe to say that Nigeria definitely has a unique culture and way of life. The women tie wrappers called Abaya and wear blouses, head ties, shawls, and hijabs. Establishments serving alcoholic beverages are found everywhere except where Islamic laws prohibit them. 3 Best Alternative Digital Banks in Nigeria for Online Transaction. Photo by IITA (CC BY-NC 2.0). Accelerate your innovation and transformation with a fully integrated suite of capabilities that puts digital at the heart of everything. Therefore, old people are always granted respect. Renewing America, Backgrounder In addition, they are also very good porters, weavers, and metalsmiths. By entering your email and clicking subscribe, you're agreeing to receive announcements from CFR about our products and services, as well as invitations to CFR events. Cultures and indigenous values must evolve bottom-up policies and approaches to growth and development in the country. The language they speak is called the Edo language. However, even with the countrys infrastructural challenges, there are still quality, , and innovative transportation options, such as, Regardless of the countrys developmental struggles, Nigerians enjoy interacting with their community. Nollywood movies are beginning to reach audiences in Europe and the United States, with cities such as Frankfurt, Los Angeles, and Toronto now hosting Nollywood film festivals. They have been able to preserve their cultural practices over time as a result of their strong native system of government. Here are a few commonly used saying in Nigeria that are worth noting: Nigeria is a very diverse and dynamic country. The Ijaw people are said by some to be the descendants of the autochthonous people of Africa known as the (H) ORU. In the pre-colonial period, they controlled a powerful empire. with Jeremi Suri It is used for communication. Before looking at the importance and types of culture in Nigeria, its good to know the definition. In return, most senior citizens have the responsibility to make various decisions on behalf of ethnic groups. However, cultural differences should be perceived as wealth, not an obstacle. In the southern areas a variety of soups containing a base of tomatoes, onions, red pepper, and palm oil are prepared with vegetables such as okra and meat or fish. The climate in Nigeria is typically hot, ranging from 28 38 degrees Celsius depending on the time of the year. They believe that embedding humour in their message guarantees that what they say is not readily forgotten. Apart from the speakers of standard English, a large portion of the population, roughly a third, speaks Nigerian pidgin, which has a primarily English lexicon. At the same time, a harsh tone is considered unwelcoming and even hostile. The Great Wall of Benin was a great structural and architectural piece that was way ahead of time and stood to protect the ancient Benin kingdom. In Nigeria, the common greeting, How are you doing? is frequently met with a hearty, Fine, thank God!. The people of ancient Nigeria were able to make their own weapons. #1: A land of over 200 million smiles Home to over 200 million inhabitants, Nigeria has one of the largest populations of youth, and is the sixth most populous country in the world. Nigeria is a multiethnic country in Northern Africa. [76], Nigeria is known for its many traditional dishes. Culture. Nigeria As A Country In Africa; The country Nigeria never come into existence not until the British empire colonies Nigeria and a named for the country was named after the dominating Niger river as put forward in the year 1980s by a journalist from British whose name is Flora Shaw and later . , and definitely, go the extra mile to make sure to throw notable and enjoyable events for their attendees. While that may be a lot of people, population . With nearly 200 million inhabitants, it also happens to be one of the world's largest countries by population. Use the honorific title plus any academic or professional title and the surname. For example, it is typical for Nigerians to have three weddings, unless they are getting married to foreigners. There is also a rich nightlife, complete with live music events, and celebrations around personal milestones such as birthdays and weddings in Nigerias bustling cities. They are concentrated in the southwestern section of Nigeria, much smaller and scattered groups of Yoruba people live in Benin and northern Togo and they are numbered to be more than 20 million at the turn of the 21st century. [35] They have monarchs, are known for celebrating the Hawan Sallah festival,[36] and are also followers of the religious teachings of Sheikh Usman dan Fodio. "[67] Nigeria has other notable writers of English language literature. It is basically what makes a person human. The word "Ubinu" was used to depict and portray the royal administrative centre or capital proper of the kingdom, Edo. The culture of the country is diverse and tends to differ from north to south. Dance also has many varieties: Ishan stilt dancers in colourful costumes twist themselves in the air; one Tiv dance, called ajo, features male dancers who work in pairs, and another involves teams of women who perform a dance called icough while composing songs about current events. Dance for the Ubakala shows their value system, helps resolve conflicts, and also institutes change. Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. Nigerians are a group of people who are so different but still united as one in the quest to achieve a common purpose of nation-building. C.V. Starr & Co. [online] Available at: https://commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/afghanistan-guide [Accessed ENTER DATE]. They are fond of the expression, "When Nigeria sneezes, the rest of the African nations (with the exception of South Africa) catch cold.". One of the main features of culture in Nigeria is its hierarchical system. The Ijaws were originally known by this name (Oru); at least it was what their immediate neighbours assumed them to be. The Palm Wine Drinkard, a popular novel by Amos Tutuola, was written in it. Prioritize employee satisfaction. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. [84], Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups[85] and as a result, a wide variety of traditional clothing styles. In the article, author Adenike Olanrewaju describes the emergence of publications Genevieve Magazine, Exquisite Magazine, Todays Woman, and Glam Africa. Most people who are a part of this ethnic group are based in the southeastern part of Nigeria, they contribute to about 17 percent of the country's population. Yoruba people, for example, have different dishes like Amala, Ogbono, Moin Moin, Ofada Rice, and Efo Riro. These figures are expected to confer subordinate titles upon men and women that are highly accomplished. However In November 2015, Ministry of Culture and Tourism was later merged with ministry of information, which is now known as Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. The Dynastic Origins of Western Yorb Kingdoms", "In pictures: Country of kings, Nigeria's many monarchs", "Things Fall Apart | Summary, Themes, & Facts | Britannica", "Contemporary African Poetry: A Postcolonial Reading of Iquo Eke's Symphony of Becoming and Ifeanyi Nwaeboh's Stampede of Voiceless Ants", "Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie comes to terms with global fame", "From Achebe To Adichie: Top Ten Nigerian Authors", "Nollywood: The Influence of the Nigerian Movie Industry on African Culture", "Carbonhydrate intake Among Urbanized Adult Nigerians", "Nigerian Food: 16 Popular and Traditional Dishes to Try - Nomad Paradise", "Gelede | African ritual festival | Britannica", "distinctive African print fabrics | The true original dutch wax prints", "The Yoruba tribe of Nigeria and their clothes rich in colors and textures", "Interesting Facts About Nigerian People and Culture", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Culture_of_Nigeria&oldid=1141605451, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2022, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Articles lacking in-text citations from December 2013, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 22:16. Therefore, culture serves as a social memory for mankind. This is also an important political issue, as the Nigerian federalism tried to put together the achievements of the modern democratic West European state and the local cultural traditions. The eastern part of Nigeria is the home of the Igbos, who are mostly Christians. Language is the most important way of mastering the national culture. It used for . Generally speaking, Nigerians are outgoing and friendly. Several streams also flow into the caves . Other Nigerian writers with a worldwide audience include Chinua Achebe, Buchi Emecheta, Flora Nwapa, Amos Tutuola, Gabriel Okara, Kole Omotoso, John Pepper Clark, Ben Okri, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Their religion, mode of dressing, food, marriage, and language are all unique. [77], The music of Nigeria includes many kinds of folk and popular music, some of which are known worldwide. Establishments serving alcoholic beverages are found everywhere except where Islamic laws prohibit them. Culture regulates the behavior of a person in his family, school, at work, home, etc., by putting forward a system of prescriptions and prohibitions. You will gain an understanding of a number of key areas including: For those needing a more detailed and comprehensive overview of Nigeria we have published an expert Report on Nigerian Society, Culture & Business. At one time the Edo of the kingdom of Benin distinguished between urban music that was performed at the palace and less complex music that was played in rural areas. Since the southern part of the country is closer to the coasts, the climate tends to be more humid and tropical, while the northern part of Nigeria tends to be more arid and dry. Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. It is a good idea to include any advanced university degree on your business card. Very direct eye contact may be interpreted as being intrusive unless there is a longstanding personal relationship. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, Nigerian Culture, Customs, and Traditions, South African Culture, Customs, and Traditions. It is said that it was at Ife that the gods descended from heaven and created the world. Soups can be thickened by adding ground egusi (melon) seeds. Age is believed to confer wisdom so older people are granted respect. 5 importance of culture in nigeria food . The official language of Nigeria, English, was chosen to facilitate the cultural and linguistic unity of the country post-colonization by the British. In masculine countries people "live in order to work", managers are expected to be decisive and assertive, the emphasis is on equity, competition and . Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. (2020). This is known as the Nze na Ozo title system. They look for the rationale behind behaviour and attempt to understand the context. All this diversity makes the unification of Nigerians into a single nation a rather difficult task. The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. In addition, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, and Naija Invest Gateway, provide real-time information on the Nigerian business culture. It is used for keeping records of important events, history and culture. Nigeria is the most populous countries in Africa, and also amongst the top 20 most diverse countries in the world. Yorubas have a strong political system with the Oba at the helm of affairs. The Nigerian Government in September, 1988, launched the "National Cultural Policy". This attention comes after increased international consumption of Nigerias hugely popular film industry, Nollywood, which is already well-established across the African continent. Hotels and nightclubs are part of the landscape of the larger cities. The app is highly secured, licensed by CBN and insured by NDIC which makes your money safe even if anything goes wrong. A high value on Performance Orientation means the culture would ideally highly encourage and reward improvement and excellence (GLOBE, 2004). According to Yoruba Mythology, this group of people believes that they are descendants of Oduduwa. This may take as long as two hours for an initial meeting. Other Nigerian men and women typically wear a traditional style called Buba. Along with South Africa, Nigeria is considered a super-power in the African continent and consequently Nigerians are generally proud of their country. Nigeria itself is home to several textile industries that go towards clothing the Nigerian people. The first wedding is traditional, the second one being in a court, while the third is in the church or the mosque. Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. However, even with the countrys infrastructural challenges, there are still quality hotels, restaurants, and innovative transportation options, such as Uber and Taxify that are available. Click here to learn more about our customized cultural training. Apart from the main three languages, the cultures of other tribes in Nigeria are equally unique and important. Hausa/Fulani ethnic group is made up of two hitherto different ethnic groups that have now intermixed to the extent that they are regarded as one inseparable ethnic nation. Nigerians will generally follow the agenda point by point and may want to consult with key stakeholders who will not be present prior to the meeting.