These are also important aspects of our culture. This article presents a high-level introduction to Nigeria's cultural heritage. 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. monarchs who have received definite authority from the official government and are recognized by the laws of Nigeria),[58] the chiefs come in various ranks and are of varied kinds - some monarchs are so powerful that they influence political and religious life outside their immediate domains (the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife, for example), while in contrast many local families around the country install their eldest members as titled chiefs in order for them to provide them with what is an essentially titular leadership. Regardless of the countrys developmental struggles, Nigerians enjoy interacting with their community. Nigerias culture is made up of several ethnic groups that speak 527 different languages. Nigeria is the most populous African country, and also amongst the top 10 most populous countries in the world with approximately 195 million people. Nigeria's most important. A high value on Performance Orientation means the culture would ideally highly encourage and reward improvement and excellence (GLOBE, 2004). Although this was a very long time ago, the Ijaws have, however, kept the ancient language and culture of the Orus. Never use the left hand only. Four Aboriginal spears taken by British explorer James Cook in 1770, thought to be some of the oldest surviving artifacts collected by any European from Australia, will be repatriated to Many dishes are flavoured with onions, palm oil, and chilies. 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. Nigerias vibrant popular culture reflects great changes in inherited traditions and adaptations of imported ones. Nigerian cities tend to be highly populated as many people flock to urban environments for better employment opportunities. [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. Generally speaking, Nigerians are outgoing and friendly. [59], Although chiefs have few official powers today, they are widely respected, and prominent monarchs are often courted to endorse politicians during elections in the hopes of them conferring legitimacy to their campaigns by way of doing so. 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. The Lalli or henna paintings and drawings are a very popular and indispensable part of their makeup. Nigeria scores 60 on this dimension and is thus a masculine society. The Yoruba language has several versions of it spoken by different units within this ethnic group. It is said that it was at Ife that the gods descended from heaven and created the world. Adam Valavanis is a volunteer intern in the Africa program at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, DC. Wole Soyinka, who won the 1986 Nobel Prize for Literature, was the first Black African to receive the award. Apart from culture, society does not have any other mechanisms with which to concentrate and gather the wealth of the experience that has been accumulated by previous generations. You will frequently see colleagues gathering at a restaurant or local watering hole for after-work drinks to discuss the latest news in business, politics, or tabloid gossip. 8 major groups account for 90% of Nigeria's population: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Kanuri, Fulani, Ibibio, Tiv. Perhaps that is happening first with respect to art and culture, rather than by the more conventional political and security means. In Nigeria,majority of parents are stack illiterates .They neither attend religious schools nor western type of institutions. Photo by Nnaemeka Ugochukwu on Unsplash. Gari (ground cassava), iyan (yam paste), or plantains accompany the soup. When greeting someone who is obviously much older, it is a sign of respect and deference to bow the head. Historically, Nigerian fashion incorporated many different types of fabrics. The most common greeting is a handshake with a warm, welcoming smile. 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 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]. The kora and the kakaki are also important. 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. They are fond of the expression, "When Nigeria sneezes, the rest of the African nations (with the exception of South Africa) catch cold.". Rice is eaten throughout the country, and in the north grains such as millet and wheat are a large part of the diet. Even though most ethnic groups prefer to communicate in their own languages, English, being the official language, is widely used for education, business transactions and for official purposes. Communication commences with polite inquiries into the welfare of the person and his family. Beautifully crafted sculptures of wood, brass, and terracotta are common things among the Yoruba. This is especially true when speaking their native language, although many of the same characteristics have been carried into their English language usage. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, Nigerian Culture, Customs, and Traditions, South African Culture, Customs, and Traditions. Nigerias religious affiliations have recently made it into international news due to active, militant Islamic groups. 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 . Success, like in any other culture, is important to Nigerias citizens and is greatly revered in Nigerian culture. Nigeria's rich cultural heritage boasts of huge eclectic and colourful festivals that are full of rhythm, brilliant colours, fun and great pace. #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. In the article, author Adenike Olanrewaju describes the emergence of publications Genevieve Magazine, Exquisite Magazine, Todays Woman, and Glam Africa. The language they speak is called the Edo language. These environmental regions greatly affect the cultures of the people who live there. Some of their native clothing materials include Aso-oke or Ofi and Adire. [55] Oyo and the other kingdoms declined in the late 18th and 19th centuries owing to disputes among minor Yoruba rulers and invasions by the Fon of Dahomey (now Benin) and the Muslim Fulani. Owing to the affinity they have with water, a significant number of the Ijaw people are discovered as migrant fishermen in camps that are as far west as Sierra Leone and as far east as Gabon. Silk (called tsamiya in Hausa, sanyan in Yoruba, and akpa-obubu in Igbo) is also used. It has become a common lingua franca as a result. This port city is located in the oil-rich Niger Delta region and serves as the capital of Rivers State. Yams are frequently eaten either fried in oil or pounded to make a mashed potato-like yam pottage. The significance of Ife culture in Nigerian history will be discussed below: The Origin of Ife Culture in Nigeria In Yoruba land, Ife is considered the place of creation. The Okays make up 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5% and Tiv 2.5%. [82] Perhaps the most popular fabric used in Nigerian fashion is Dutch wax print, produced in the Netherlands. Meat is also popular and Nigerian suyaa barbecue-like roasted meatis a well-known delicacy. One way that Nigeria is unique is through its heritage. Some of the most prominent ethnic groups include the likes of the Fulani, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Ijaw. Nigerian food is mostly made up of meals that are high in carbohydrates, such as cassavas, rice, maize, yams, and plenty of vegetables. Culture helps to accumulates, control and organise the human experience. Other cultures, such as the Igbo used to wear clothes only for modesty in past times, which is unlike other cultures where clothing has always been a symbol of status. The Hausa/Fulani people are known for their unique cultural practices most of which have stood the test of time. Nigerian food offers a rich blend of traditionally African carbohydrates such as yam and cassava as well as the vegetable soups with which they are often served. In spite of all these different languages, English is widely spoken around the country. Families are a crucial aspect of Nigerian society and are typically larger than in the west. They may smile to mask their true feelings, especially when disappointed or confused. Nigerian Food Culture and Customs: Three Yorb Sayings on It. Its an active process, a lifestyle of people which is constantly growing, evolving and mutating. 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. With so many different cultures and regions, food can vary greatly. www.commisceo-global.com. Nigerian literature and its emerging figures were themselves the subject of a Times piece in November 2017. Present and receive business cards with two hands or the right hand, never with the left. [32] The Fulani people are also nomadic in nature; this nomadic lifestyle spread them into virtually all of West Africa. Several streams also flow into the caves . Weekly. Cotton has been used for over 500 years for fabric-making in Nigeria. 34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY, UK. Academic and Higher Education Webinars, C.V. Starr & Co. Backed by a suite of sophisticated services and solutions, KPA brings in-depth insights, diverse experiences, and genuine care to every client engagement to deliver the results you need to exceed your set business goals. On November 5, the New York Times ran on the first page of its business section a long piece on the emergence of luxury lifestyle publications in Nigeria. This number includes 510 living languages, 2 second languages without native speakers and 9 extinct languages. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country of almost 200 million people. Although this militant activity concerns the entire nation, these groups primarily impact the northeast region of Nigeria. Their logic is often contextual. [87] In the Igbo tradition, the men's cultural attire is Isiagu (a patterned shirt), which is worn with trousers and the traditional Igbo men's hat called Okpu Agwu. Annual Lecture on China: Frayed RelationsThe United States and China, Virtual Event As a developing country, Nigeria faces challenges regarding its infrastructure. Nigerians living in the south of the country tend to speak more directly. Gifts should be wrapped, although there are no cultural taboos concerning paper colour. 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. [54] Oyo developed in the medieval and early modern periods into the largest of the Yoruba kingdoms, while Ile-Ife still remained a town of very strong religious significance as the site of the earth's creation according to Yoruba mythology. 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]. Most weekdays. The climate in Nigeria is typically hot, ranging from 28 38 degrees Celsius depending on the time of the year. Their towns eventually became more and more populated and grew into the present-day cities of Oyo, Ile-Ife, Ilesha, Ibadan, Ilorin, Ijebu-Ode, Ikere-Ekiti, and others. Hotels and nightclubs are part of the landscape of the larger cities. Families gather to celebrate births and weddings. 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. [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. Several things go into greeting an elder in Nigeria, including ethnic background and gender. Each musician organized a large band with a horn section, a variety of drummers, and many guitar players. 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. According to Yoruba Mythology, this group of people believes that they are descendants of Oduduwa. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); TYPES OF CULTURE IN NIGERIA AND THEIR IMPORTANCE (2023). Cultures and indigenous values must evolve bottom-up policies and approaches to growth and development in the country. It is used for keeping records of important events, history and culture. 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. In recent time, the styles have evolved to more contemporary designs. PLEASE SHARE IT IF YOU FOUND IT USEFUL! [51] The Yoruba people have always shared a common language called the Yoruba language and the same culture for hundreds of years now but they were less likely to be a single political unit. Commonly referred to as the giant of Africa, Nigeria is highly populated and unlike any other African country. [57] Led by the Nigerian traditional rulers (i.e. Age is believed to confer wisdom so older people are granted respect. They have a strong culture of colourful masquerades that entertain people during festivals and other important functions. Ethnically, the population of the country is estimated to be made up of 29% Hausa/Fulani, the Yorubas make up 21% while the Igbos are believed to be about 18% of the entire population. Fermented palm products make a traditional liquor, palm wine, and also fermented cassava. Nigeria's culture rooted in fashion, film, music, and literature translates into . [1][2] The country has 527 languages,[3][4] seven of which are extinct. However, none of the states in southern Nigeria allow this practice. Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. 2022 All Rights Reserved. They can also be found in large numbers in Cameroon and other African countries. Photo by Ayoola Salako on Unsplash. Culture creates favorable opportunities for acquiring knowledge and physical development. Opay.ng - Every transaction made on this app is very fast; the delivery rate is 99%, which means you don't need to worry anytime you make a payment on this platform.Plus, every transaction on the app is free. In other words, this is to say that, culture in its simple meaning can be the way of life . A little more than half of all Nigerians are of the Christian faith, while most of the rest are Islamic. [8][9][10][11] There are many other ethnic groups with sizeable populations across the different parts of the country. Several festivals are celebrated in Yorubaland yearly where the rich culture of the Yoruba people is displayed. Sometimes even consumer products are marketed by focusing on a higher being. Daily life in Nigeria varies based on location, and whether you reside in the city or rural areas. The pioneer of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti, became internationally famous in the 1970s and 1980s and has inspired generations of Western artists, such as Talking Heads and Beyonc. In addition, Nigeria is home to an influential music scene, notably Afrobeat, which combines West African music styles with American funk and jazz. The Ijaw culture of the South has been influenced greatly by its location on the coast and the interaction with foreigners that it necessitated. Below are some of the most notable things about Nigerian culture. Their religion, mode of dressing, food, marriage, and language are all unique. 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 are ruled by monarchs, and are famous for their Benin Bronzes. Gifts are not always opened when received. Kanuri, Fulani, and Hausa peoples are a majority in the north region of Nigeria. In return the most senior person has the responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interest of the group. The official language of Nigeria, English, was chosen to facilitate the cultural and linguistic unity of the country post-colonization by the British. According to the book, which discussed generally about African American culture which Nigeria may belong. Age is believed to be the main wisdom of the nation. 1 Jan. 2020 https://commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/afghanistan-guide, Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. (2020, January 1) Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Descending into the valley is a lengthy walkway of 317 steps, which were constructed by the state government. In addition to its intrinsic value, culture provides important social and economic benefits. The women wear a puffed sleeved blouse, two wrappers and a headwrap. Many religions are followed in Nigeria. 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? [45] From a historical perspective, it is almost impossible to give a precise and accurate account as to when and where the Ijaws originated, numerous different accounts have been given by many historians regarding this issue but what is certain is that the Ijaws are one of the world's most ancient peoples. 3 Best Alternative Digital Banks in Nigeria for Online Transaction. A company culture that prioritizes high employee satisfaction sets itself up for payoff in the form of higher employee motivation, lower turnover rates and . In a social situation, they are greeted and served first. All this diversity makes the unification of Nigerians into a single nation a rather difficult task. 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. Other Nigerian men and women typically wear a traditional style called Buba. [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). Their traditional religion, Ifa, has been recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral tradition of Humanity. Nigerians are generally, enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. The population of Nigeria makes up 1/8 of the inhabitants of the African continent. The Igbo political system isnt strong which explains why they are not a politically strong unit within the Nigerian system. Age and position always demand great respect. 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. [47] They immigrated to West Africa from the Nile Valley during antiquity. If you plan to work from an agenda, it is a good idea to send it in advance of the meeting. [86] The men wear buba (long shirt), sokoto (baggy trousers), agbada (flowing robe with wide sleeves) and fila (a hat). They tend to examine behaviour in its total context, not merely what they have observed. Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. (2020). Music is used to celebrate rulers and to accompany public assemblies, weddings and funerals, festivals, and storytelling. They believe that embedding humour in their message guarantees that what they say is not readily forgotten. The word "Ubinu" was used to depict and portray the royal administrative centre or capital proper of the kingdom, Edo. by Lindsay Maizland A curation of original analyses, data visualizations, and commentaries, examining the debates and efforts to improve health worldwide. The men sometimes also add a cap called Fula to their dressing. 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. 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. Since the 1990s the Nigerian movie industry, sometimes called "Nollywood", has emerged as a fast-growing cultural force all over Africa. The first wedding is traditional, the second one being in a court, while the third is in the church or the mosque. The architectural mastery of the Hausas is perhaps one of the least known buys the most beautiful of the medieval age. Therefore, old people are always granted respect. These figures are expected to confer subordinate titles upon men and women that are highly accomplished. The people of this tribe are gifted sculptors. The Bini people[15][16] are most frequent in the region between Yorubaland and Igboland.