Nigeria is a hierarchical society. [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. People in urban regions of Nigeria dress in western style, the youth mainly wearing jeans and T-shirts. There is an indefinite number of cultures around the world. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! Culturally, Nigeria is like a coat of many colours. 5. Nigeria is blessed with over 250 ethnic groups with noticeable cultural differences among them. Renewing America, Backgrounder It is richer than all other West African nations and holds considerable power. Each tribe has different dishes that are unique to their culture. Gifts should be wrapped, although there are no cultural taboos concerning paper colour. 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. 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. We live in a multi-faceted country. [81] Southern Nigerian women choose to wear western-style clothing. The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. In fact, over 250 languages and dialects are used across Nigerias 36 states. Each musician organized a large band with a horn section, a variety of drummers, and many guitar players. 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. A Hausa farmer. Another major Nigerian city is Port Harcourt. [20][21][22] Indigenous religious practices remain important to all of Nigeria's ethnic groups however, and frequently these beliefs are blended with Christian or Muslim beliefs, a practice known as syncretism. 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. Their origins are steeped in great traditions of religious obeisance, traditional games, folklore, dance and drama. Nigeria's culture rooted in fashion, film, music, and literature translates into . [60], Nigeria is famous for its English language literature. Along with South Africa, Nigeria is considered a super-power in the African continent and consequently Nigerians are generally proud of their country. Notable musicians include King Sunny Ade, who performed in a style called juju that combines the sounds of several guitars, vocals, and talking drums; and the politically charged Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, whose music is characterized by short songs and extended instrumental pieces. This is due to the large number of ethnic groups that exist in the country. Things Fall Apart,[61] by Chinua Achebe, is an important book in African literature. The women wear their hair in native styles such as Suku. Yorubas have a strong political system with the Oba at the helm of affairs. The bulk of the Hausa-Fulani population is mainly centered in and around the centres of Sokoto, Kano and Katsina, which are said to be important market centres on the southern area of the trans-Saharan caravan trade routes. Nigerians prefer facial expressions that imply empathy and believe an indifferent facial expression indicates that a person is ignorant or obnoxious. Quiz. Age and position earns, even demands, respect. Nigerian food is mostly made up of meals that are high in carbohydrates, such as cassavas, rice, maize, yams, and plenty of vegetables. Nigerians are generally, enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. Before looking at the importance and types of culture in Nigeria, its good to know the definition. In Nigeria, the common greeting, How are you doing? is frequently met with a hearty, Fine, thank God!. Nigerians are very religious and spiritual people. Nigerians living in the south of the country tend to speak more directly. Commonly referred to as the giant of Africa, Nigeria is highly populated and unlike any other African country. Nigeria has the fastest growing economy in Africa and the highest GNP on the continent. Language is the most important way of mastering the national culture. The traditionally nomadic Fulani can be found all over West and Central Africa. 8 major groups account for 90% of Nigeria's population: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Kanuri, Fulani, Ibibio, Tiv. Nigeria itself is home to several textile industries that go towards clothing the Nigerian people. Nigeria is a hierarchical society. The Ogbunike Caves are found in a valley in the tropical forest of southeast Nigeria, in Anambra State. The major Christian celebrations of Christmas and Easter are recognized as national holidays. The women wear Iro and Buba and tie a complimentary headgear. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Nigerias culture rooted in fashion, film, music, and literature translates into enhanced international prestige. The language they speak is called the Edo language. according to this 2013 Pew Research study. 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. The difference in the way we work, live and interact with each other is as a result of the culture we have come to be a part of. [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. Movie theatres, showing mostly Indian and American films, are popular among the urban middle- and low-income groups. Age is believed to be the main wisdom of the nation. Nigeria is the most populous African country, and also amongst the top 10 most populous countries in the world with approximately 195 million people. A curation of original analyses, data visualizations, and commentaries, examining the debates and efforts to improve health worldwide. Communication commences with polite inquiries into the welfare of the person and his family. 34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY, UK. If invited to dinner at someones home then bring fruit, nuts or chocolates for the host. LESSON 2 - IMPORTANCE/USES OF ART. In literature, Chinua Achebe, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, and, more recently, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have significant readership in the United States. Gifts should be given using the right hand only or both hands. Fermented palm products make a traditional liquor, palm wine, and also fermented cassava. This shows that reading culture is a prerequisite foracquisition of knowledge and skills needed by all people in a rapidly changing world and catalyst for participation in social, cultural, political and economic activities of the show more content. [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. As in the rest of Africa, it is rude to rush the greeting process. When employees join a company, they are doing so in return for fair compensation, career development, and various benefits. [53] They eventually became the most urbanized Africans of precolonial times. [78], Traditional musicians use a number of diverse instruments, such as Gongon drums. Its an active process, a lifestyle of people which is constantly growing, evolving and mutating. For men the loose-fitting shirt goes down to halfway down the thigh. Nigerian literature is known throughout the world. Historically, Nigerian fashion incorporated many different types of fabrics. Nigeria has two seasons: rainy season, which occurs in April until September, and dry season, which is referred to as Harmattan. The country also has the largest agricultural output and the highest number of cattle. The traditional Yoruba kingships still survive, but with only a hint of their former political power. Yams are frequently eaten either fried in oil or pounded to make a mashed potato-like yam pottage. Nigerians typically hold a primary position of employment but are always on the lookout for other opportunities to generate supplemental income. Their chiefs are therefore monarchs and titled individuals, with most of the latter group making up the membership of the Ogboni secret society. [86] The men wear buba (long shirt), sokoto (baggy trousers), agbada (flowing robe with wide sleeves) and fila (a hat). Artefacts stolen from Benin sit on shelves of many foreign museums and in the private homes of foreigners. One of the main features of culture in Nigeria is its hierarchical system. Prioritize employee satisfaction. Photo by Muhammadtaha Ibrahim Ma'aji on Unsplash. Like many other aspects of life, food is a deeply rooted expression of identity, values, and way of life. 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. The Hausa and Fulani people live primarily in the North, the Igbo reside in the Southeast, and the Yoruba inhabit the Southwest. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, Nigerian Culture, Customs, and Traditions, South African Culture, Customs, and Traditions. 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. Tribal marks used to be widely popular amongst Yorubas but that culture is fast washing out amongst modern Yoruba descendants. Always make time to share a tea with people you're doing business with. 56 Likes, 1 Comments - Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (@kccnigeria_) on Instagram: "Winners of the KCCN "Introduce Your Korea" Event 5 " ' " Both concepts, each an aspect of a single whole, aspire to protect and preserve the purity, sanctity and sacredness of the land and the people therein. For men their traditional cap is called fila. Muslims observe Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and the two Eids. Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. According to the FIFA World Rankings, Nigeria ranks 31st and holds the second-highest place among the African nations behind Senegal (20th). February 1, 2023 A gift for the children is always a nice touch. English as a first language, however, remains an exclusive preserve of a small minority of the country's urban elite, and is not spoken at all in some rural areas. Observant Muslims will not generally shake hands with members of the opposite sex. Rice is eaten throughout the country, and in the north grains such as millet and wheat are a large part of the diet. Wole Soyinka, who won the 1986 Nobel Prize for Literature, was the first Black African to receive the award. 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. Age is believed to confer wisdom so older people are granted respect. It is used for expressing one's feelings. 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 . Photo by Oladimeji Odunsi on Unsplash, Catching a ride for the morning commute into work in Lagos. Beans and root vegetables are ubiquitous. To prevent this, it is important to control the formation of cultural values in a society. This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License. With so many different cultures and regions, food can vary greatly. In return the most senior person has the responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interest of the group. The overwhelming majority, with the exception of Tiv, profess the Muslim religion. Their religion, mode of dressing, food, marriage, and language are all unique. The singer and social activist Fela Kuti was instrumental in Nigeria's musical development. It is believed that the Igbo people originated in an area that is about 100 miles north of their current location at the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers. Annual Lecture on China. The mode of dressing of Yoruba males includes wearing Bubba and Sokoto and also a large flowing gown called Agbada. Music and art are important aspects of everyday life in the Hausa/Fulani and they are well known for the Dubar celebration. with Ivan Kanapathy, Bonny Lin and Stephen S. Roach Michelle Gavin, Ebenezer Obadare, and other experts track political and security developments across sub-Saharan Africa. These environmental regions greatly affect the cultures of the people who live there. The climate also varies slightly depending on the region. If you're looking for expert help and advice on how to work effectively with Nigerians, then this is what we do! Unique to Nigeria, the percentage of Christians to Muslims are nearly equal, with a small percentage being allocated to populations that practice indigenous religions. They can also be found in large numbers in Cameroon and other African countries. 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. Extended families are still the norm and are in fact the backbone of the social system. At Ramadan, it is customary for Muslims to give gifts of food and fruit. The importance of culture in Nigeria cannot be overestimated. These figures are expected to confer subordinate titles upon men and women that are highly accomplished. The Yoruba culture emphasizes respect for elders which is why ladies kneel and men prostrate to greet their elders. Apart from the main three languages, the cultures of other tribes in Nigeria are equally unique and important. Ekpe masks and ikenga (personal shrines) from the Igbo in eastern Nigeria and ibeji (twin) sculptures from the Yoruba in western Nigeria are just three examples of the art produced in pre-colonial Nigeria. His personalized sound, dubbed Afrobeat, is now one of the continent's most widely recognised genres. This attention comes after increased international consumption of Nigerias hugely popular film industry, Nollywood, which is already well-established across the African continent. In masculine countries people "live in order to work", managers are expected to be decisive and assertive, the emphasis is on equity, competition and . a powdered cassava grain that can be readily eaten as a meal and is quite inexpensive. It used for . 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. 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 . Other groups worthy of mention are Ijaw, Edo, Itshekiri, Kanuri, Efik, and Tiv. The three main ethnic groups are the Yorubas of South Western Nigeria, the Igbos of Eastern Nigeria and the Hausa/Fulani ethnic group which dominates the North. 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. Photo by Nnaemeka Ugochukwu on Unsplash. [1][2] The country has 527 languages,[3][4] seven of which are extinct.