Therefore, understanding Nigerian culture and way of life can seem like a daunting task, however, gaining this understanding will help you develop a robust action plan to build your business in the region. In the southwest, where the people are from the Yoruba tribe, peoples communication employs proverbs, sayings and even songs to enrich the meaning of what they say. 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. 'Odinana', as the immutable customary rites and traditions of the Igbo world, is enduring and cuts across indigenous Igbo people, while 'omenana' is rather relative from one section of the Igbo to the other. The climate in Nigeria is typically hot, ranging from 28 38 degrees Celsius depending on the time of the year. After reading this article you will find out why. Nigeria has the fastest growing economy in Africa and the highest GNP on the continent. The Igbo people of Eastern Nigeria commonly called Ndi Igbo are a very cultural set of people. The bulk of the Hausa-Fulani population is mainly centered in and around the centres of Sokoto, Kano and Katsina, which are said to be important market centres on the southern area of the trans-Saharan caravan trade routes. With so many different cultures and regions, food can vary greatly. 34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY, UK. The overwhelming majority, with the exception of Tiv, profess the Muslim religion. They are ruled by monarchs, and are famous for their Benin Bronzes. They may raise their voices even more and become emotionally excited when they feel passionately about a topic. After radio and television stations were established in all the state capitals, they began broadcasting programs featuring traditional music and dance, folk operas, and storytelling; these programs are now available in some 25 languages. Nigerias culture is made up of several ethnic groups that speak 527 different languages. In spite of all these different languages, English is widely spoken around the country. November 4, 2022 by Lindsay Maizland [46], Language and cultural studies suggest that they are related to the founders of the Great Nile Valley civilization complex (and possibly the lake Chad complex). In Igboland, both men and women tie wrappers. A Nigerian generally waits for the woman to extend her hand. Ekpe masks and ikenga (personal shrines) from the Igbo in eastern Nigeria and ibeji (twin) sculptures from the Yoruba in western Nigeria are just three examples of the art produced in pre-colonial Nigeria. Every culture in Nigeria has unique diets, mode of dressing, mode of production, language, greetings, marriage, mode of socialization, political systems that could be annexed for development. Beautifully crafted sculptures of wood, brass, and terracotta are common things among the Yoruba. Music is used to celebrate rulers and to accompany public assemblies, weddings and funerals, festivals, and storytelling. Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon, Ethnic Groups: over 250 ethnic groups including Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%, Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%, Business Culture: Ranked 50th in the Business Culture Complexity Index. The women wear a puffed sleeved blouse, two wrappers and a headwrap. Traditional instruments include various types of flutes, trumpets, musical bows, xylophones, and wooden clappers, as well as many varieties of drums. The terra-cotta figurines of the Nok are some of the earliest statues in existence from sub-Saharan Africa. They tend to examine behaviour in its total context, not merely what they have observed. The three main ethnic groups are the Yorubas of South Western Nigeria, the Igbos of Eastern Nigeria and the Hausa/Fulani ethnic group which dominates the North. Cultures and indigenous values must evolve bottom-up policies and approaches to growth and development in the country. However, none of the states in southern Nigeria allow this practice. In recent time, the styles have evolved to more contemporary designs. Here are seven signs indicating you have a culture that values security. Nigeria culture plays an important role in lives of separate individuals and the society as the whole. However, pidgin English and indigenous languages are also spoken throughout the country. 6. The mode of dressing of Yoruba males includes wearing Bubba and Sokoto and also a large flowing gown called Agbada. Long before the arrival of the Fulani people, the Hausa had already formed and made well-organised city states; some of these states include Katsina, Daura, Kano Zazzau (Zaria), Biram, Gobir and Borno. Most weekdays. Culture In Nigeria Essay. The earth spirit, Ana, is 'odinana', as is the sacred role of yam in the Igbo world, the right of inheritance, and the place of the elder. The traditionally nomadic Fulani can be found all over West and Central Africa. , and definitely, go the extra mile to make sure to throw notable and enjoyable events for their attendees. Nigeria is the most populous countries in Africa, and also amongst the top 20 most diverse countries in the world. In addition, they are also very good porters, weavers, and metalsmiths. Although Lagos is located in the southwest region of Nigeria, Lagos is a port city with an International Airport and is considered to be Nigerias center of commerce. This shows that reading culture is a prerequisite foracquisition of knowledge and skills needed by all people in a rapidly changing world and catalyst for participation in social, cultural, political and economic activities of the show more content. The singer and social activist Fela Kuti was instrumental in Nigeria's musical development. [online] Available at: https://commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/afghanistan-guide [Accessed ENTER DATE]. From the farmers in the rural areas to the bankers in the city, work is a central and important part of daily life in Nigeria. A company culture that prioritizes high employee satisfaction sets itself up for payoff in the form of higher employee motivation, lower turnover rates and . The way of life of any society involves a number of areas (labour, politics, economics, ethics, aesthetics, law, family, religion, etc). Nigeria has three main environmental regions: savanna, tropical forests, and coastal wetlands. According to Yoruba Mythology, this group of people believes that they are descendants of Oduduwa. by Olivia Angelino, Thomas J. Bollyky, Elle Ruggiero and Isabella Turilli Friends may address each other in a variety of ways: the title and the first name, the first name alone, the surname alone, or a nickname. In literature, Chinua Achebe, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, and, more recently, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have significant readership in the United States. You put your proverbial (and actual) money where your mouth is in the form of budget and staff . Yoruba people, for example, have different dishes like Amala, Ogbono, Moin Moin, Ofada Rice, and Efo Riro. Igbos are overwhelming Christians of Catholic extraction although a minority of them practice other religions such as Islam, Judaism, and the traditional Igbo religion. Success, like in any other culture, is important to Nigerias citizens and is greatly revered in Nigerian culture. A curation of original analyses, data visualizations, and commentaries, examining the debates and efforts to improve health worldwide. Art is created serve many purposes, among these are: 1. Men may place their left hand on the other persons shoulder while shaking hands. Nigeria has two seasons: rainy season, which occurs in April until September, and dry season, which is referred to as Harmattan. Curtis shares a powerful quote from Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn, about the importance of the first 100 hires in shaping a company's culture. Soups can be thickened by adding ground egusi (melon) seeds. 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. The Bini people[15][16] are most frequent in the region between Yorubaland and Igboland. The Lalli or henna paintings and drawings are a very popular and indispensable part of their makeup. The architectural mastery of the Hausas is perhaps one of the least known buys the most beautiful of the medieval age. Team members should present a united front at meetings. Nigerians prefer facial expressions that imply empathy and believe an indifferent facial expression indicates that a person is ignorant or obnoxious. Age is believed to confer wisdom so older people are granted respect. Daily life in Nigeria varies based on location, and whether you reside in the city or rural areas. The language they speak is called the Edo language. It is used for communication. The men sometimes also add a cap called Fula to their dressing. Nigerians are generally enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. It explores what is meant by the term 'cultural heritage', while providing examples of same in Nigeria. Discover w. As mentioned above, Nigeria is the most populous African country, and also amongst the top 10 most populous countries in the world with approximately 195 million people. [81] Southern Nigerian women choose to wear western-style clothing. If you're looking for expert help and advice on how to work effectively with Nigerians, then this is what we do! Commonly referred to as the giant of Africa, Nigeria is highly populated and unlike any other African country. #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. Since the 1990s the Nigerian movie industry, sometimes called "Nollywood", has emerged as a fast-growing cultural force all over Africa. The Yorubas are fun-loving people and are known for their eye-catching, colourful and rhythmic dance steps. We're helping multinational clients adequately prepare to thrive in the African market. Hotels and nightclubs are part of the landscape of the larger cities. The Yoruba language is pleasing to the ear as it places a lot of emphasis on intonation. [74] Praised by Nigerians for the strength it gives, garri is "the number one staple carbohydrate food item in Nigeria",[75] The Igbo political system isnt strong which explains why they are not a politically strong unit within the Nigerian system. [53] They eventually became the most urbanized Africans of precolonial times. It has become a common lingua franca as a result. 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Below are some of the most notable things about Nigerian culture. [20][21][22] Indigenous religious practices remain important to all of Nigeria's ethnic groups however, and frequently these beliefs are blended with Christian or Muslim beliefs, a practice known as syncretism. Age is believed to be the main wisdom of the nation. Their traditional religion, Ifa, has been recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral tradition of Humanity. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country of almost 200 million people. Therefore, it is a good idea to observe the situation carefully before determining what behaviour is appropriate. The dry, open grasslands of the savanna make cereal farming and herding a way of life for the Hausa and The word "Ubinu" was later corrupted to Bini by a number of mixed ethnicities staying together at the centre, and it was then further corrupted to Benin around the year 1485 at the time when the Portuguese people started making trade relations with Oba Ewuare.[28][29]. They have a strong culture of colourful masquerades that entertain people during festivals and other important functions. [60], Nigeria is famous for its English language literature. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! Other Nigerian artists include the Nsukka group, formed at the University of Nigeria at Nsukka in the early 1970s, consisting of Uche Okeke, Chike Aniakor, Obiora Udechukwu, El Anatsui, Tayo Adenaike, Ada Udechukwu, and Olu Oguibe. The import market for this fabric is dominated by the Dutch company Vlisco,[83] which has been selling its Dutch wax print fabric to Nigerians since the late 1800s, when the fabric was sold along the company's oceanic trading route to Indonesia. We can say that culture as a whole determines the framework in which a person can and should act. The constitution guarantees religious freedom. 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. Igbo dominate in the south-central and southeastern parts of the country. Photo by IITA (CC BY-NC 2.0). This is known as the Nze na Ozo title system. Although this militant activity concerns the entire nation, these groups primarily impact the northeast region of Nigeria. In the article, author Adenike Olanrewaju describes the emergence of publications Genevieve Magazine, Exquisite Magazine, Todays Woman, and Glam Africa. [citation needed] The first Igbo in the region may have moved onto the Awka-Orlu plateau between four and five thousand years ago. [48][49], The Yoruba people are said to be one of the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, alongside the Igbo and the Hausa-Fulani peoples. [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. Because of the movies, western influences such as music, casual dressing and methods of speaking are to be found all across Nigeria, even in the highly conservative north of the country.[72]. The word "Ubinu" was used to depict and portray the royal administrative centre or capital proper of the kingdom, Edo. Retrieved from https://commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/afghanistan-guide. [44] With a population of over ten million, the Ijaws are arguably the most populous tribe inhabiting the Niger Delta section and arguably the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria occupying about 10% of Nigeria's population. Titles are important. Firstly, Nigeria's scores on the Cultural Dimension scale reveal that Nigerians place great value on Performance Orientation, Future Orientation, and In-group Collectivism. The Yoruba culture emphasizes respect for elders which is why ladies kneel and men prostrate to greet their elders. Working hours in the north often vary from those in the south so that Muslims do not work on their holy day, which is Friday. This is especially true when speaking their native language, although many of the same characteristics have been carried into their English language usage. You must take the time to ask about the persons health, the health of their family, or other social niceties. The Ijaw people are said by some to be the descendants of the autochthonous people of Africa known as the (H) ORU. Nigeria is the seventh-most populous country in the world, home to more than 200 million people. Some of these festivals include Odun Olojo, Iwude, and Osun-Osogbo amongst many others. Prioritize employee satisfaction. The 41-page PDF document has been authored by one of our Nigeria country specialists and provides readers with much more detail that our free guide above. They can also be found in large numbers in Cameroon and other African countries. 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. Shared below is some helpful information about Nigerian culture. Never write on your business card. Nigeria's rich cultural heritage boasts of huge eclectic and colourful festivals that are full of rhythm, brilliant colours, fun and great pace. Global Health Program, Higher Education Webinar: Teaching the History of American Democracy, Webinar Several festivals are celebrated in Yorubaland yearly where the rich culture of the Yoruba people is displayed. Silk (called tsamiya in Hausa, sanyan in Yoruba, and akpa-obubu in Igbo) is also used. This is one of the tools used by the government to create a more conducive and secured environment. Accelerate your innovation and transformation with a fully integrated suite of capabilities that puts digital at the heart of everything. Many use gestures when communicating. Can culture exist without society? The yams can be mashed or fried in oil. Culture. As a developing country, Nigeria faces challenges regarding its infrastructure. [52] The Yoruba people are believed to have migrated from the east to their present lands west of the lower Niger River more than a millennium ago. Other clothing gear includes a gele, which is the woman's headgear. Nigeria's vibrant popular culture reflects great changes in inherited traditions and adaptations of imported ones. Anywhere you find yourself in the Nigerian territory, you will meet a unique group of people who are set in their ways and would blow your mind away with their ways of life. In some of Nigeria's northern states, polygamy is legal and men may marry several wives. [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. Weekly. In the pre-colonial period, they controlled a powerful empire. The major native languages spoken in Nigeria represent three major families of African languages - the majority are Niger-Congo languages, such as Yoruba, Ibo, the Hausa language is Afro-Asiatic; and Kanuri, spoken in the northeast, primarily Borno State, is a member of the Nilo-Saharan family. The traditional Yoruba kingships still survive, but with only a hint of their former political power. 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. Gifts should be wrapped, although there are no cultural taboos concerning paper colour. Establishments serving alcoholic beverages are found everywhere except where Islamic laws prohibit them. 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. with Jeremi Suri Some would argue that the real soundtrack of Nigeria is not Afrobeats, but the din of diesel generators as most Nigerians, even if they are connected to mains . 1950 W. Corporate Way PMB 25615, Anaheim, CA 92801, USA.+44 0330 027 0207 or +1 (818) 532-6908, 34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY, UK.1950 W. Corporate Way PMB 25615, Anaheim, CA 92801, USA.+44 0330 027 0207+1 (818) 532-6908. Stay up to date on the latest insights we have to offer. Simply change the country name depending on which guide you are referencing. Challenges that include a variety of issues, such as inconsistent electricity, bad roads, and low-quality public transportation. More than 250 ethnic groups can be found in Nigeria today, each of which has its own traditions and customs. This is not a first name culture, although that may be changing with people under the age of 35. Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual. Their religion, mode of dressing, food, marriage, and language are all unique. An person's immersion in a culture is determined by his/her socialization, familiarity with cultural heritage, as well as the development of his individual abilities.All these are usually achieved in the process of upbringing and education. . [76], Nigeria is known for its many traditional dishes. "[67] Nigeria has other notable writers of English language literature. The culture of Nigeria is shaped by Nigeria's multiple ethnic groups. For women, the loose-fitting blouse goes down a little below the waist. In addition to its intrinsic value, culture provides important social and economic benefits. Nigeria has a rich artistic heritage, including both traditional and contemporary art forms. Successful Nigerians, such as businessmen and the said politicians, typically themselves aspire to the holding of chieftaincies, and the monarchs' control of the honours system that provides them to them serves as an important royal asset. The Hausa group (majority of them are Muslims) prevail in the northern region of Nigeria. As in the rest of Africa, it is rude to rush the greeting process. 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. Culturally, Nigeria is like a coat of many colours. Smiling and showing sincere pleasure at meeting the person is important. The three largest ethnic groups are the Hausas that are predominantly in the north, the Yorubas who predominate in the southwest, and the Igbos in the southeast. [82] Perhaps the most popular fabric used in Nigerian fashion is Dutch wax print, produced in the Netherlands. Here are 10 interesting facts about Nigeria: 1. Beans and root vegetables are ubiquitous. Apart from the main three languages, the cultures of other tribes in Nigeria are equally unique and important. It is richer than all other West African nations and holds considerable power. Presently, Nigerias religious landscape is generally dominated by Christianity in the South and Islam in the North. Various other minor ethnic groups make up the rest of the country. Therefore, old people are always granted respect. At the same time, there are some Nigerians who are extremely direct communicators and have no difficulty stating what is on their minds. Nigeria has the largest population on the continent and the third-largest manufacturing sector. It is a good idea to lower your eyes when meeting someone who is older or more senior. Nigerians are generally enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. Food is an important part of Nigerian life. This attention comes after increased international consumption of Nigerias hugely popular film industry, Nollywood, which is already well-established across the African continent. Women wear long flowing robes and headscarves made by local makers who dye and weave the fabric locally. Annual Lecture on China. Vast wealth has been generated by it, and it is currently the second-largest film industry in the world by output. masterpiece of the oral tradition of Humanity, all of whom have been titled chiefs of various ethnic groups, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Nigerian cultural values are under threat, Toyin Falola, US scholar, warns", "Culture Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria", "Culture Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of Korea", "Nigeria: most common languages spoken at home 2020", "There are 27 languages close to extinction in Nigeria", "Igbos, Yorubas have historical ties - Ooni of Ife", "Nigeria: The politics of religion in a transitional society, By Rotimi Akeredolu", "Major tribes in Nigeria and their states with all the details", "Full list of all 371 tribes in Nigeria, states where they originate", "Tooth Dyeing Tradition among the Kanuri Speaking People of Borno, Nigeria", "Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Enugu: Tale of four cities The Nation Newspaper", "Fulani | People, Religion, & Nigeria | Britannica", "Islam has a small presence in Nigeria's Igbo region: what a new Quran translation offers", "Chrislam: Defying Nigeria's Religious Boundaries", "The Oba of Benin Kingdom: A history of the monarchy", "Benin: The hallowed culture of one of the world's most ancient people", "Fulani and Hausa: What's the difference?
