Yoruba people, for example, have different dishes like Amala, Ogbono, Moin Moin, Ofada Rice, and Efo Riro. Nigerians are generally enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. Nigerians are very religious and spiritual people. We can say that culture as a whole determines the framework in which a person can and should act. Nigerians celebrate several holidays throughout the year, including Independence Day (October 1), Workers Day (May 1), and various Christian and Islamic holidays. In addition, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, and Naija Invest Gateway, provide real-time information on the Nigerian business culture. The terra-cotta figurines of the Nok are some of the earliest statues in existence from sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, it is a good idea to observe the situation carefully before determining what behaviour is appropriate. The arrival of the Fulani people into Hausaland brought about great changes in the land, which included the introduction of Islam. [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. [60], Nigeria is famous for its English language literature. Annual Lecture on China. Being the first to find a settlement in the Lower Niger and Niger Delta, it is possible that they may have started inhabiting this region as far back as 500 BC. They are the most dispersed set of people in Nigeria as they can be found all over the country. Smiling and showing sincere pleasure at meeting the person is important. Success, like in any other culture, is important to Nigerias citizens and is greatly revered in Nigerian culture. Its an active process, a lifestyle of people which is constantly growing, evolving and mutating. , and definitely, go the extra mile to make sure to throw notable and enjoyable events for their attendees. Nigeria is the seventh-most populous country in the world, home to more than 200 million people. The headquarter of Yorubaland is Ile-life where they believe creation started. Michelle Gavin, Ebenezer Obadare, and other experts track political and security developments across sub-Saharan Africa. 5. One of the main features of culture in Nigeria is its hierarchical system. The principal exports are palm oil and palm kernels. 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. A curation of original analyses, data visualizations, and commentaries, examining the debates and efforts to improve health worldwide. Unfortunately, in our country, some subcultures oppose each other which lead to the spread of cultural differences in Nigeria. Traditionally, cultures such as the Yoruba used to wear clothing such as gele (a cloth wrapped around the head by women), afbada (a robe for formal functions), and other forms of attire. Age and position earns, even demands, respect. Some of these festivals include Odun Olojo, Iwude, and Osun-Osogbo amongst many others. 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. Silk (called tsamiya in Hausa, sanyan in Yoruba, and akpa-obubu in Igbo) is also used. Global Health Program, Higher Education Webinar: Teaching the History of American Democracy, Webinar Muslims observe Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and the two Eids. Challenges that include a variety of issues, such as inconsistent electricity, bad roads, and low-quality public transportation. It is used for commemoration. The Igbo ethnic group most produce and trade in oil, cocoa and rubber. Four full-color images cover the page, each of the creators and editors of influential culture and fashion magazines based in Lagos. Nigerian foods are spicy, mostly in the western and southern part of the country, even more so than in Indian cuisine. Nigeria's rich cultural heritage boasts of huge eclectic and colourful festivals that are full of rhythm, brilliant colours, fun and great pace. 5 importance of culture in nigeria food . It has become a common lingua franca as a result. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); TYPES OF CULTURE IN NIGERIA AND THEIR IMPORTANCE (2023). Let's appreciate and preserve our culture and traditions and use them as vehicles towards our development, growth, and unity. Shake hands at the beginning and end of meetings. Nigeria has two seasons: rainy season, which occurs in April until September, and dry season, which is referred to as Harmattan. The Ijaw culture of the South has been influenced greatly by its location on the coast and the interaction with foreigners that it necessitated. Ekiti Yoruba dancers wear head masks so heavy that they can do only processional dances. 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. Social standing and recognition is achieved through extended families. The official language of Nigeria, English, was chosen to facilitate the cultural and linguistic unity of the country post-colonization by the British. The Yorubas are fun-loving people and are known for their eye-catching, colourful and rhythmic dance steps. November 4, 2022 968 Words4 Pages. The Igbo ethnic group, of which I belonged to, are mostly christian. A complimentary cap called Fila may be added to the dressing. It used for . Individuals turn to members of the extended family for financial aid and guidance, and the family is expected to provide for the welfare of every member. Stay up to date on the latest insights we have to offer. The country is often discussed in terms of its regions (i.e., North, Southeast, and Southwest) and its dominant tribes. Their chiefs are therefore monarchs and titled individuals, with most of the latter group making up the membership of the Ogboni secret society. The dry, open grasslands of the savanna make cereal farming and herding a way of life for the Hausa and Drinks include traditional brews like palm wine. This article presents a high-level introduction to Nigeria's cultural heritage. Another major Nigerian city is Port Harcourt. Simply change the country name depending on which guide you are referencing. That the Igbos were prospering long before the colonial masters came The Igbo-Ukwu culture's place in Nigerian history also demonstrates that the indigenous inhabitants of Nigeria had a stable way of life and were prospering long before the arrival of the colonial rulers. The language they speak is called the Edo language. Nigeria has a rich artistic heritage, including both traditional and contemporary art forms. Commonly referred to as the giant of Africa, Nigeria is highly populated and unlike any other African country. In addition, they are also very good porters, weavers, and metalsmiths. Meat is also popular and Nigerian suyaa barbecue-like roasted meatis a well-known delicacy. 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]. Trading, local crafts, and wage labour also are important in the Igbo economy, and a high literacy rate has helped many Igbo to become civil servants and business entrepreneurs in the decades after Nigeria gained independence. The men sometimes also add a cap called Fula to their dressing. 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. They look for the rationale behind behaviour and attempt to understand the context. Culture helps to accumulates, control and organise the human experience. Beautifully crafted sculptures of wood, brass, and terracotta are common things among the Yoruba. Yorubas have a strong political system with the Oba at the helm of affairs. It's a complex system that transfers social experience from one generation to other and from era to era. Order via the button below to receive your Nigeria Insight in seconds or read more here before buying. Their religion, mode of dressing, food, marriage, and language are all unique. Photo by Nnaemeka Ugochukwu on Unsplash. Bushmeat, meat from wild game like antelope and duikers, is also popular. Observant Muslims will not generally shake hands with members of the opposite sex. 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. The Efiks, Ibibios, Kanuris, Itsekiris, Ijaws, Igalas, Igedes, Idomas, Nupe etc all have beautiful cultures that stand them out and make them distinct and important in Nigeria. The Yoruba people eventually formed many kingdoms of various different sizes, each of which was centered on a capital city or town and that was being ruled by a hereditary king known as an oba. When greeting someone who is obviously much older, it is a sign of respect and deference to bow the head. Here are seven signs indicating you have a culture that values security. Cultures and indigenous values must evolve bottom-up policies and approaches to growth and development in the country. Nigerian literature is known throughout the world. You may also find their tone slightly louder than elsewhere. Igbos are overwhelming Christians of Catholic extraction although a minority of them practice other religions such as Islam, Judaism, and the traditional Igbo religion. The Yoruba language is pleasing to the ear as it places a lot of emphasis on intonation. by Lindsay Maizland with Ivan Kanapathy, Bonny Lin and Stephen S. Roach, Nigerians Growing Cultural Influence Around the World, Conflict at the Root of Food Insecurity in Africa, Swift Response to Open Letter Alleging Gender-Based Corruption in Rwandan Cycling. There is an indefinite number of cultures around the world. 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. [23], The Binis, also called the Edo people,[25] are people of the South South region of modern Nigeria; they are said to be around 3.8 million as of the 21st Century. The Palm Wine Drinkard, a popular novel by Amos Tutuola, was written in it. To prevent this, it is important to control the formation of cultural values in a society. The Lalli or henna paintings and drawings are a very popular and indispensable part of their makeup. Nigeria is a democratic country whose federal government resides in the countrys capital, Abuja, which is located in the middle of the country. 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. C.V. Starr & Co. [19] The Fulani and the Hausa are mostly Muslim, while the Igbo are mostly Christian and so are the Bini and the Ibibio. [57] Led by the Nigerian traditional rulers (i.e. It is used for keeping records of important events, history and culture. Age is believed to confer wisdom so older people are granted respect. 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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. 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. Culture regulates the behavior of a person in his family, school, at work, home, etc., by putting forward a system of prescriptions and prohibitions.