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. Before looking at the importance and types of culture in Nigeria, its good to know the definition. Such social niceties go a long way since. Warning Sign 1: Little Investment Into People. Age and position earns, even demands, respect. The Yorubas are fun-loving people and are known for their eye-catching, colourful and rhythmic dance steps. This is why gaining an understanding of Nigerian culture is so crucial to your business success in the Nigerian market. One of the main features of culture in Nigeria is its hierarchical system. 3. The ladies wear their hair in traditional styles and complement their looks with a lot of jewellery, ornaments, and paintings. Nigeria has two seasons: rainy season, which occurs in April until September, and dry season, which is referred to as Harmattan. For men the loose-fitting shirt goes down to halfway down the thigh. A complimentary cap called Fila may be added to the dressing. Any disagreement between members will be interpreted as meaning that you are not relaying the entire story and that they should proceed cautiously. This attention comes after increased international consumption of Nigerias hugely popular film industry, Nollywood, which is already well-established across the African continent. A gift for the children is always a nice touch. January 31, 2022, How Tobacco Laws Could Help Close the Racial Gap on Cancer, Interactive 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 women wear wrappers and shirts and cover their heads with hijabs (veils).[89]. Kano Durbar. 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. Smiling and showing sincere pleasure at meeting the person is important. We can say that culture as a whole determines the framework in which a person can and should act. Prior to conducting business in a foreign country, understanding the countrys cultural landscape, people, beliefs, and cultural nuances are imperative. Global Health Program, Higher Education Webinar: Teaching the History of American Democracy, Webinar Several things go into greeting an elder in Nigeria, including ethnic background and gender. with Ivan Kanapathy, Bonny Lin and Stephen S. Roach 5 importance of culture in nigeria food . Investing in your people is an investment in a healthy culture, and so it follows that a lack of investment is one of the biggest cultural risk factors. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country of almost 200 million people. 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. Nigeria scores 60 on this dimension and is thus a masculine society. 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. Culture helps to accumulates, control and organise the human experience. It is common to gaze at the forehead or shoulders of someone they do not know well. The Ijaw people are said by some to be the descendants of the autochthonous people of Africa known as the (H) ORU. The Oshogbo movement, founded in the early 1960s, includes the artists Muraina Oyelami, Twins Seven-Seven (Prince Taiwo Osuntoki), Bisi Fabunmi, Tijani Mayakiri, Rufus Ogundele, and Ademola Onibonokuta. 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. It is basically what makes a person human. Nigeria is blessed with over 250 ethnic groups with noticeable cultural differences among them. For example, it is typical for Nigerians to have three weddings, unless they are getting married to foreigners. In a social situation, they are greeted and served first. 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. The Igbo people of Eastern Nigeria commonly called Ndi Igbo are a very cultural set of people. A company culture that prioritizes high employee satisfaction sets itself up for payoff in the form of higher employee motivation, lower turnover rates and . Igbos are overwhelming Christians of Catholic extraction although a minority of them practice other religions such as Islam, Judaism, and the traditional Igbo religion. With improved learning and health, increased tolerance, and opportunities to come together with others, culture enhances our quality of life and increases overall well-being for both individuals and communities. Food and eating food is a universal experience, an element of common ground in terms of . For instance, "How you dey" means "How are you". This article presents a high-level introduction to Nigeria's cultural heritage. [40][41] Socially, the Igbos are led by monarchs who had limited power historically. Lots of Yoruba people still practice the traditional religion but a large number have embraced Christianity and Islam. These are also important aspects of our culture. Other traditions include the mother-in-law helping the daughter-in-law after giving birth and younger men going for apprenticeships with older and wealthier men. Titles are important. Discover w. 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. All this diversity makes the unification of Nigerians into a single nation a rather difficult task. [74] Praised by Nigerians for the strength it gives, garri is "the number one staple carbohydrate food item in Nigeria",[75] Nigeria's vibrant popular culture reflects great changes in inherited traditions and adaptations of imported ones. The Hausa and Fulani people live primarily in the North, the Igbo reside in the Southeast, and the Yoruba inhabit the Southwest. We're helping multinational clients adequately prepare to thrive in the African market. Importance of culture Nigeria culture plays an important role in lives of separate individuals and the society as the whole. Vast wealth has been generated by it, and it is currently the second-largest film industry in the world by output. 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. He is assisted by a team of elders known as Enjoyed (Chiefs). 'Omenana' is man-made; it is easily changed and is adaptable. This group is predominantly Muslim as Islam was introduced into Nigeria by the Fulanis. 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. 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 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. Cultural conflicts can arise within large communities as a result. [81] Southern Nigerian women choose to wear western-style clothing. Christians predominantly live in the south of the country, whereas Muslims live predominantly in the north. Some of these festivals include Odun Olojo, Iwude, and Osun-Osogbo amongst many others. The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. This port city is located in the oil-rich Niger Delta region and serves as the capital of Rivers State. Radio, television, and other forms of home entertainment (e.g., recorded music and movies) have also grown in popularity, though their use is dependent on the availability of electricity. [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. In Igboland, both men and women tie wrappers. Nigeria is a hierarchical society. Nigeria itself is home to several textile industries that go towards clothing the Nigerian people. This policy document defined culture as " the totality of the way of life evolved by a people in their attempt to meet the challenges in their environment which gives order and meaning to their social, political, economic, aesthetic and religious . (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); TYPES OF CULTURE IN NIGERIA AND THEIR IMPORTANCE (2023). 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. 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. Their logic is often contextual. Culture creates favorable opportunities for acquiring knowledge and physical development. [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. Nigerians are generally enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. The climate in Nigeria is typically hot, ranging from 28 38 degrees Celsius depending on the time of the year. 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 oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. Age is believed to confer wisdom so older people are granted respect. Their origins are steeped in great traditions of religious obeisance, traditional games, folklore, dance and drama. . After reading this article you will find out why. Yoruba people, for example, have different dishes like Amala, Ogbono, Moin Moin, Ofada Rice, and Efo Riro. 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. 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. #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. Expect the first few meetings to be somewhat formal as your Nigerian counterparts continue to become comfortable with you as a person. When greeting someone who is obviously much older, it is a sign of respect and deference to bow the head. Nigerian music is enjoyed throughout Africa. However, none of the states in southern Nigeria allow this practice. Nigeria has a rich artistic heritage, including both traditional and contemporary art forms. 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. 5. Nigerians are very religious and spiritual people. Unique to Nigeria, the percentage of Christians to Muslims are nearly equal, with a small percentage being allocated to populations that practice indigenous religions. The traditional Yoruba kingships still survive, but with only a hint of their former political power. As stated above, the three most influential ethnic group in Nigeria are Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. 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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. Many religions are followed in Nigeria. This number includes 510 living languages, 2 second languages without native speakers and 9 extinct languages. Therefore, culture serves as a social memory for mankind. The cave, has about 10 inner chambers and several tunnels, some of which are interlinked. The word "Ubinu" was used to depict and portray the royal administrative centre or capital proper of the kingdom, Edo. For this reason, newborns are regarded with joy and pride as they are the future. They make beautiful sculptures in honour of their gods and deities. The most important task for the government is to find ways to unite people, rather than divide them. Yorubas have a strong political system with the Oba at the helm of affairs. 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. The most important issue of cultural development is certainly the issue of creation of either national Nigerian, or affirmation of ethnic cultural identity. The Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups are said to be one of the largest ethnic groupings in Nigeria, if not the largest, with a population of over 20 million people.The Hausa and Fulani live in the northern part of Nigeria. 3 Best Alternative Digital Banks in Nigeria for Online Transaction. The fundamental issue here is what motivates people, wanting to be the best (masculine) or liking what you do (feminine). Other groups worthy of mention are Ijaw, Edo, Itshekiri, Kanuri, Efik, and Tiv. It also explores some of the challenges faced (legal and extralegal) in the protection of cultural heritage and discloses recent legal developments. Perhaps that is happening first with respect to art and culture, rather than by the more conventional political and security means. It is the sixth largest oil-producing nation and has a well-educated and industrious society. Music and dance are integral to Nigerian culture, and each ethnic group has its own specialties. The kora and the kakaki are also important. Nigeria is the seventh-most populous country in the world, home to more than 200 million people. Their religion, mode of dressing, food, marriage, and language are all unique. [17][18], Nigeria's other ethnic groups, sometimes called 'minorities', are found throughout the country but especially in the north and the middle belt.

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