[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. The Okays make up 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5% and Tiv 2.5%. Importance of culture Nigeria culture plays an important role in lives of separate individuals and the society as the whole. Each tribe has different dishes that are unique to their culture. 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. To rush a greeting is extremely rude; spend time inquiring about the other persons general well-being. The language they speak is called the Edo language. 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. 'Omenana' is man-made; it is easily changed and is adaptable. Music and dance are integral to Nigerian culture, and each ethnic group has its own specialties. Some of these festivals include Odun Olojo, Iwude, and Osun-Osogbo amongst many others. Discover w. To read more about the Nigerian management style, click here. In return, most senior citizens have the responsibility to make various decisions on behalf of ethnic groups. As a developing country, Nigeria faces challenges regarding its infrastructure. 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. 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. Below are some of the most notable things about Nigerian culture. Social standing and recognition is achieved through extended families. THANKS FOR READING OUR GUIDE TO NIGERIA. Lagos is a bustling city that has become a melting pot of Nigerian tribes. The mode of dressing of Yoruba males includes wearing Bubba and Sokoto and also a large flowing gown called Agbada. Many religions are followed in Nigeria. Due to the ethnic make-up of the country, communication styles vary. [82] Perhaps the most popular fabric used in Nigerian fashion is Dutch wax print, produced in the Netherlands. 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). , and definitely, go the extra mile to make sure to throw notable and enjoyable events for their attendees. The Great Wall of Benin was a great structural and architectural piece that was way ahead of time and stood to protect the ancient Benin kingdom. Make a point of studying any business card you receive before putting it into a business card holder. February 22, 2023 There is an indefinite number of cultures around the world. Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. 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. 5. Many Muslims and Christians may also intertwine their beliefs with more unorthodox indigenous ones. Culture is that complex as it consists of belief, knowledge, art, law, morals, customs, traditions and any other capabilities and habits which is acquired by man as a member of the society (Edward B. Tylor 1871). Ekiti Yoruba dancers wear head masks so heavy that they can do only processional dances. The people of this tribe are gifted sculptors. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country of almost 200 million people. Like many other aspects of life, food is a deeply rooted expression of identity, values, and way of life. While many artists still work in these traditions, more-contemporary artists, who combine African and Western traditions, also abound. The women tie wrappers called Abaya and wear blouses, head ties, shawls, and hijabs. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! Try to avoid using hyperbole or making exaggerated claims when presenting a business case as Nigerians are naturally suspicious of a deal that sounds too good to be true. You put your proverbial (and actual) money where your mouth is in the form of budget and staff . Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country of almost 200 million people. However, cultural differences should be perceived as wealth, not an obstacle. They are ruled by monarchs, and are famous for their Benin Bronzes. Gari (ground cassava), iyan (yam paste), or plantains accompany the soup. The way of life of any society involves a number of areas (labour, politics, economics, ethics, aesthetics, law, family, religion, etc). Gifts should be given using the right hand only or both hands. Titles are important. With so many different cultures and regions, food can vary greatly. Artefacts stolen from Benin sit on shelves of many foreign museums and in the private homes of foreigners. Art is created serve many purposes, among these are: 1. They may raise their voices even more and become emotionally excited when they feel passionately about a topic. [33][34], The Hausas, on the other hand, are said to be very good merchants. 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. It also explores some of the challenges faced (legal and extralegal) in the protection of cultural heritage and discloses recent legal developments. Nigerians are generally enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. [online] Available at: https://commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/afghanistan-guide [Accessed ENTER DATE]. Nigerian beans, quite different from green peas, are widely popular. 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]. This is why gaining an understanding of Nigerian culture is so crucial to your business success in the Nigerian market. Nigeria was once a British colony, so the official national language is English. Photo by Oladimeji Odunsi on Unsplash, Catching a ride for the morning commute into work in Lagos. This is due to the large number of ethnic groups that exist in the country. Fashion is diverse and varies depending on the ethnic groups, culture, and religion. The Nigerian national football team,[73] nicknamed the "Super Eagles", is the national team of Nigeria, run by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Yorubas have a strong political system with the Oba at the helm of affairs. Accelerate your innovation and transformation with a fully integrated suite of capabilities that puts digital at the heart of everything. [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). Since then, Nigerian and African patterns, colour schemes, and motifs have been incorporated into Vlisco's designs to become a staple of the brand. Nigerians prefer to develop personal relationships prior to conducting business. [63][64], Nigerian Nobel laureate[65] Wole Soyinka[66] described the work as "the first novel in English which spoke from the interior of the African character, rather than portraying the African as an exotic, as the white man would see him. The country also has the largest agricultural output and the highest number of cattle. Nigeria's vibrant popular culture reflects great changes in inherited traditions and adaptations of imported ones. Therefore, culture serves as a social memory for mankind. The Igbo ethnic group most produce and trade in oil, cocoa and rubber. 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 . This ethnic group is well known for their colourful but modest dress due to their strong religious beliefs. In fact, over 250 languages and dialects are used across Nigerias 36 states. This helped spread them to some countries around Nigeria. 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. Here are seven signs indicating you have a culture that values security. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In addition, Nigeria is home to an influential music scene, notably Afrobeat, which combines West African music styles with American funk and jazz. The first wedding is traditional, the second one being in a court, while the third is in the church or the mosque. 1. C.V. Starr & Co. 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. Nigeria culture plays an important role in lives of separate individuals and the society as the whole. Simply change the country name depending on which guide you are referencing. In addition, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, and Naija Invest Gateway, provide real-time information on the Nigerian business culture. The Yoruba often use humour to prevent boredom during long meetings or serious discussions. Unfortunately, in our country, some subcultures oppose each other which lead to the spread of cultural differences in Nigeria. 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. 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. Some of these dialects include Egba, Ekiti, Ijesha, Egun etc. 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 Benin people of present-day Edo state had a culture that amazed the colonial masters when they first got to the ancient Benin kingdom. The most common greeting is a handshake with a warm, welcoming smile. Observant Muslims will not generally shake hands with members of the opposite sex. The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. The Yorubas are fun-loving people and are known for their eye-catching, colourful and rhythmic dance steps. Their chiefs are therefore monarchs and titled individuals, with most of the latter group making up the membership of the Ogboni secret society. Weekly. More than 250 ethnic groups can be found in Nigeria today, each of which has its own traditions and customs. It has the largest population in Africa and the land is endowed with vast quantities of natural resources. However, pidgin English and indigenous languages are also spoken throughout the country. They are extremely tolerant of the languages of other people around them, leading to the suppression of theirs - especially in northern Nigeria by Hausa. 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. At the same time, there are some Nigerians who are extremely direct communicators and have no difficulty stating what is on their minds. In this country, individuals usually become a part of one or more ethnic groups in Nigeria. by Lindsay Maizland The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. English serves as a common language, used mainly as a means to bridge the communication gaps stemming from the presence so many languages, as well as a way to reach out and connect with the global business community. Nigerian literature and its emerging figures were themselves the subject of a Times piece in November 2017. with Ivan Kanapathy, Bonny Lin and Stephen S. Roach [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. 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 . His personalized sound, dubbed Afrobeat, is now one of the continent's most widely recognised genres. In the course of socialization the values, ideals, norms, patterns of behavior become a part of a person's self-awareness. Nigerias vibrant popular culture reflects great changes in inherited traditions and adaptations of imported ones. The Ijaw people are said by some to be the descendants of the autochthonous people of Africa known as the (H) ORU. However, even with the countrys infrastructural challenges, there are still quality, , and innovative transportation options, such as, Regardless of the countrys developmental struggles, Nigerians enjoy interacting with their community. When employees join a company, they are doing so in return for fair compensation, career development, and various benefits. A curation of original analyses, data visualizations, and commentaries, examining the debates and efforts to improve health worldwide. Nigeria is the most populous African country, and also amongst the top 10 most populous countries in the world with approximately 195 million people. Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. Photo by Muhammadtaha Ibrahim Ma'aji on Unsplash. The Igbo political system isnt strong which explains why they are not a politically strong unit within the Nigerian system. You invest in security. Culture is defined as the way of life of a group of people. The country is often discussed in terms of its regions (i.e., North, Southeast, and Southwest) and its dominant tribes. Helon Habila, Sefi Atta , Flora Nwapa, Iquo DianaAbasi Eke,[69] Zaynab Alkali and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,[70] among others, are notable Nigerian authors whose works are read widely within and outside the country.[71]. Photo by Ayoola Salako on Unsplash. Muslims observe Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and the two Eids. Kanuri, Fulani, Hausa, Tiv - are the most densely populated groups that live in the north. They have been able to preserve their cultural practices over time as a result of their strong native system of government. Drinks include traditional brews like palm wine. While that may be a lot of people, population . Things Fall Apart,[61] by Chinua Achebe, is an important book in African literature. Therefore, foreigners who take the time to get to know the Nigerian as a person are considered friends and welcomed into a Nigerians inner circle of family and close friends.Nigerian communication can also be indirect and may rely on non-verbal cues. Here are a few commonly used saying in Nigeria that are worth noting: Nigeria is a very diverse and dynamic country. Christians predominantly live in the south of the country, whereas Muslims live predominantly in the north. Its an active process, a lifestyle of people which is constantly growing, evolving and mutating. [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. The country has over 50 languages and over 250 dialects and ethnic groups. 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. You may also find their tone slightly louder than elsewhere. [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. Pidgin English is a creolized form of the language. At the same time, a harsh tone is considered unwelcoming and even hostile. Vast wealth has been generated by it, and it is currently the second-largest film industry in the world by output. According to the book, which discussed generally about African American culture which Nigeria may belong. This port city is located in the oil-rich Niger Delta region and serves as the capital of Rivers State. Retrieved from https://commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/afghanistan-guide. Igbos are overwhelming Christians of Catholic extraction although a minority of them practice other religions such as Islam, Judaism, and the traditional Igbo religion. [60], Nigeria is famous for its English language literature. This is especially true when speaking their native language, although many of the same characteristics have been carried into their English language usage. [19] The Fulani and the Hausa are mostly Muslim, while the Igbo are mostly Christian and so are the Bini and the Ibibio. Various other minor ethnic groups make up the rest of the country. Clearly, the system of culture is not only complex and diverse, but also very mobile. Families are a crucial aspect of Nigerian society and are typically larger than in the west. Never write on your business card. The Hausa/Fulani people are known for their unique cultural practices most of which have stood the test of time. Annual Lecture on China: Frayed RelationsThe United States and China, Virtual Event . 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.