Gifts from a man to a woman must be said to come from the mans mother, wife, sister, or other female relative, never from the man himself. The Hausa group (majority of them are Muslims) prevail in the northern region of Nigeria. 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. Presently, Nigerias religious landscape is generally dominated by Christianity in the South and Islam in the North. This number includes 510 living languages, 2 second languages without native speakers and 9 extinct languages. The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. [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. Many religions are followed in Nigeria. Weekly. Kanuri, Fulani, Hausa, Tiv - are the most densely populated groups that live in the north. Nigeria scores 60 on this dimension and is thus a masculine society. For men the loose-fitting shirt goes down to halfway down the thigh. The Yoruba culture is rich and unique drawing comparison with no other culture around. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country of almost 200 million people. Drinks include traditional brews like palm wine. Protection of Cultural Heritage: The Nigerian experience Extended families are still the norm and are in fact the backbone of the social system. 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 Hausa, who do not consider dancing to be an art, divide their dances into the categories of social dancing and ceremonial borii dances. Establishments serving alcoholic beverages are found everywhere except where Islamic laws prohibit them. This helped spread them to some countries around Nigeria. It is used for communication. 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. Expect the first few meetings to be somewhat formal as your Nigerian counterparts continue to become comfortable with you as a person. Importance of culture in Nigeria - Legit.ng These are also important aspects of our culture. [77], The music of Nigeria includes many kinds of folk and popular music, some of which are known worldwide. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. [57] Led by the Nigerian traditional rulers (i.e. Nigeria has a rich culture. Our culture determines the way we communicate with others. 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]. 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. The traditional Yoruba kingships still survive, but with only a hint of their former political power. Culture - Federal Ministry of Information and Culture The culture of the country is diverse and tends to differ from north to south. We are all different, but culture helps to unite us. Culture regulates the behavior of a person in his family, school, at work, home, etc., by putting forward a system of prescriptions and prohibitions. Establishments serving alcoholic beverages are found everywhere except where Islamic laws prohibit them. While that may be a lot of people, population . Michelle Gavin, Ebenezer Obadare, and other experts track political and security developments across sub-Saharan Africa. Silk (called tsamiya in Hausa, sanyan in Yoruba, and akpa-obubu in Igbo) is also used. The culture of Nigeria is shaped by Nigeria's multiple ethnic groups. Nigerias culture is made up of several ethnic groups that speak 527 different languages. Nigeria has two seasons: rainy season, which occurs in April until September, and dry season, which is referred to as Harmattan. The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. It is richer than all other West African nations and holds considerable power. Nigerian beans, quite different from green peas, are widely popular. [84], Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups[85] and as a result, a wide variety of traditional clothing styles. Daily life in Nigeria varies based on location, and whether you reside in the city or rural areas. The arrival of the Fulani people into Hausaland brought about great changes in the land, which included the introduction of Islam. Age and position earns, even demands, respect. If the information has changed, have new cards printed. Nigerian Culture and Why it is Important to Understand for - kpakpakpa [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. 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. Some of their native clothing materials include Aso-oke or Ofi and Adire. Yams are frequently eaten either fried in oil or pounded to make a mashed potato-like yam pottage. You may also find their tone slightly louder than elsewhere. Beans and root vegetables are ubiquitous. The country has over 50 languages and over 250 dialects and ethnic groups. A complimentary cap called Fila may be added to the dressing. [19] The Fulani and the Hausa are mostly Muslim, while the Igbo are mostly Christian and so are the Bini and the Ibibio. Families gather to celebrate births and weddings. The Igbo ethnic group most produce and trade in oil, cocoa and rubber. The women wear their hair in native styles such as Suku. Grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers and in-laws all work as a unit through life.Family relationships are guided by hierarchy and seniority. July 2, 2022 Odiraa 0 Comments 36 states in nigeria and their ethnic groups, 5 importance of culture in nigeria, ethnic groups in nigeria and their culture, interesting facts about nigerian culture, nigerian culture and tradition . 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. They are well known for their energetic dance steps, colourful attires, and masquerades. C.V. Starr & Co. Preserving Nigeria's cultural heritage - Daily Trust Ekiti Yoruba dancers wear head masks so heavy that they can do only processional dances. This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License. Nigerians living in the south of the country tend to speak more directly. Funerals are also times when the family gathers. #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. Five things about Nigeria: The superpower with no power Music and dance are integral to Nigerian culture, and each ethnic group has its own specialties. 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. Meat is another delicacy that is prepared into something known as suya (a form of meat resembling barbecue meat) and wild meat (from giraffes and antelopes). The Kanuri people[12] are located in the northeast part of Nigeria, the Tiv people[13] of north central and the Efik-Ibibio[14] are in the south south. 5 importance of culture in nigeria Archives - 9jafoods 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. 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. The Igbos are renowned for their strong use of proverbs. 3 Best Alternative Digital Banks in Nigeria for Online Transaction. 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]. Cotton has been used for over 500 years for fabric-making in Nigeria. Nigerian traditions are wide and vary in the different cultures. It can be argued that the intellectual level of a society depends on how adequately that particular society can use its richest knowledge embedded in history and generations past. 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. [8][9][10][11] There are many other ethnic groups with sizeable populations across the different parts of the country. In addition to its intrinsic value, culture provides important social and economic benefits. Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. The Yorubas are fun-loving people and are known for their eye-catching, colourful and rhythmic dance steps. Fermented palm products make a traditional liquor, palm wine, and also fermented cassava. It is said that it was at Ife that the gods descended from heaven and created the world. [74] Praised by Nigerians for the strength it gives, garri is "the number one staple carbohydrate food item in Nigeria",[75] with Ivan Kanapathy, Bonny Lin and Stephen S. Roach The Igbo people share linguistic ties with their neighbours the Bini, Igala, Yoruba, and Idoma, with whom it is believed they were closely related until five to six thousand years ago. Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria on Instagram: "Winners of the KCCN Historically, Nigerian fashion incorporated many different types of fabrics. 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. Gifts are not always opened when received. In cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt traffic is very bad, and it takes skillful scheduling to avoid getting caught in it. Why the First 100 Hires are Crucial for Your Company's Culture 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. 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. Nigeria - Geography [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. 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The highest position Nigeria ever reached on the ranking was 5th, in April 1994. The most popular Yoruba manifestations of this custom are the Gelede masquerades.[80]. 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. The ladies wear their hair in traditional styles and complement their looks with a lot of jewellery, ornaments, and paintings. The early mosques built by men of this tribe were bright and colourful often including intricate engravings and elaborate designs. 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. Use the honorific title plus any academic or professional title and the surname. The women wear wrappers and shirts and cover their heads with hijabs (veils).[89]. If you're looking for expert help and advice on how to work effectively with Nigerians, then this is what we do! Nigerians are generally enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. In some of Nigeria's northern states, polygamy is legal and men may marry several wives. In literature, Chinua Achebe, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, and, more recently, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have significant readership in the United States. Artefacts stolen from Benin sit on shelves of many foreign museums and in the private homes of foreigners. 1. Although this group is found throughout the grasslands of West Africa, the bulk of the population is found in Northern Nigeria in states like Sokoto, Kano, and Katsina. Nigeria's rich cultural heritage boasts of huge eclectic and colourful festivals that are full of rhythm, brilliant colours, fun and great pace. Several streams also flow into the caves . Many Muslims and Christians may also intertwine their beliefs with more unorthodox indigenous ones. Before looking at the importance and types of culture in Nigeria, its good to know the definition. However some of these states were conquered, taken over and re-established by the Fulani people which then led to the formation of a few other kingdoms such as Katagum, Hadejia and Gombe. Can culture exist without society? Fashion is diverse and varies depending on the ethnic groups, culture, and religion. Nigerians prefer facial expressions that imply empathy and believe an indifferent facial expression indicates that a person is ignorant or obnoxious. The language they speak is called the Edo language. [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. 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. Challenges that include a variety of issues, such as inconsistent electricity, bad roads, and low-quality public transportation. Although the role of the extended family is diminishing somewhat in urban areas, there remains a strong tradition of mutual caring and responsibility among the members. This ethnic group is well known for their colourful but modest dress due to their strong religious beliefs. Age is believed to confer wisdom so older people are granted respect. As stated above, the three most influential ethnic group in Nigeria are Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. It is used for decoration and beautification. Here are seven signs indicating you have a culture that values security. The Yorubas are a diverse group of people bound together by language, history, culture and a common sense of origin. Photo by Muhammadtaha Ibrahim Ma'aji on Unsplash. Middle Eastern culture: Middle Eastern culture is a fascinating mixture of religious and traditional beliefs. 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. Therefore, old people are always granted respect. For this reason, newborns are regarded with joy and pride as they are the future. Movie theatres, showing mostly Indian and American films, are popular among the urban middle- and low-income groups. Their logic is often contextual. Their religion, mode of dressing, food, marriage, and language are all unique. Christians predominantly live in the south of the country, whereas Muslims live predominantly in the north. [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. Families are a crucial aspect of Nigerian society and are typically larger than in the west. In a social situation, they are greeted and served first. The terra-cotta figurines of the Nok are some of the earliest statues in existence from sub-Saharan Africa. 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. These include Femi Osofisan,[68] whose first published novel, Kolera Kolej, was produced in 1975; Ben Okri, whose first work, The Famished Road, was published in 1991, and Buchi Emecheta, who wrote stories drawn from her personal experiences of gender inequity that promote viewing women through a single prism of the ability to marry and have children. Igbos are mostly farmers, traders, and craftsmen. To read more about the Nigerian management style, click here. , and definitely, go the extra mile to make sure to throw notable and enjoyable events for their attendees. 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. They believe that embedding humour in their message guarantees that what they say is not readily forgotten. 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. The Lalli or henna paintings and drawings are a very popular and indispensable part of their makeup. 34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY, UK. The major Christian celebrations of Christmas and Easter are recognized as national holidays. Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Discover w. While Nigeria has always been politically and culturally influential on the African continent thanks to its large population and enormous oil wealth, the Times coverage is the latest example of growing Western interest in Nigerian culture. Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. It is used for keeping records of important events, history and culture. Culture unites people, integrates them, and ensures their strength as a community.