Lagos is a bustling city that has become a melting pot of Nigerian tribes. 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. Photo by Oladimeji Odunsi on Unsplash, Catching a ride for the morning commute into work in Lagos. Generally speaking, Nigerians are outgoing and friendly. Nigeria is blessed with over 250 ethnic groups with noticeable cultural differences among them. This overview of Nigerian culture has, hopefully, provided you with the insight you need to ensure the successful expansion of your business, as a new entrant in the Nigerian market. The kora and the kakaki are also important. [53] They eventually became the most urbanized Africans of precolonial times. In return, most senior citizens have the responsibility to make various decisions on behalf of ethnic groups. Photo by IITA (CC BY-NC 2.0). Age and position earns, even demands, respect. In addition, Nigeria is home to an influential music scene, notably Afrobeat, which combines West African music styles with American funk and jazz. Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. They have been able to preserve their cultural practices over time as a result of their strong native system of government. 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 . Middle Eastern culture: Middle Eastern culture is a fascinating mixture of religious and traditional beliefs. 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. Things arent perfect, but Im grateful for what I have., Factors to be Aware of When Visiting Nigeria for Business. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. Warning Sign 1: Little Investment Into People. Many use gestures when communicating. In this country, individuals usually become a part of one or more ethnic groups in Nigeria. Fashion is diverse and varies depending on the ethnic groups, culture, and religion. 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. In fact, over 250 languages and dialects are used across Nigerias 36 states. Nigeria has two seasons: rainy season, which occurs in April until September, and dry season, which is referred to as Harmattan. The fundamental issue here is what motivates people, wanting to be the best (masculine) or liking what you do (feminine). 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 Ijaw people are said by some to be the descendants of the autochthonous people of Africa known as the (H) ORU. Music and art are important aspects of everyday life in the Hausa/Fulani and they are well known for the Dubar celebration. ", "The Fulani - A Nomadic Tribe in Northern Nigeria", "Usman dan Fodio | Fulani leader | Britannica", "Igbo | Culture, Lifestyle, & Facts | Britannica", "Omenana and Odinana in the Igbo World: A Philosophical Appraisal", "ODINANI (OMENALA)- IGBO CONCEPT OF LAW AND MORALITY-signed.pdf", "NZE NA OZO TITLE IN IGBO CULTURE: A PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTION ON ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN A CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY", "Ozo Title: An Indigenous Institution In Traditional Religion That Upholds Patriarchy In Igbo Land South-Eastern Nigeria", "Ijaw Culture: A brief walk into the lives of one of the world's most ancient people", "ijaw people - ethnic group - gospelflavour", "Showcasing The Ijaw Culture and People of Bayelsa from South-South Nigeria - Courtesy The Scout Association of Nigeria | World Scouting", "BRIEF HISTORY OF THE IJO PEOPLE Ijaw (IZON) World Studies", "The Traditional Political System of the Yoruba", "The kl (Yorb, Nigeria) Migration Theories and Insignia", "3. However, pidgin English and indigenous languages are also spoken throughout the country. These are the three main tribes in Nigeria, followed closely by the Edo people (southwest region), tribes in the Delta region (southernmost region), and the Benue State (Middle Belt region). 'Odinana', as the immutable customary rites and traditions of the Igbo world, is enduring and cuts across indigenous Igbo people, while 'omenana' is rather relative from one section of the Igbo to the other. For instance, "How you dey" means "How are you". Nigerian Food Culture and Customs: Three Yorb Sayings on It. Some of these festivals include Odun Olojo, Iwude, and Osun-Osogbo amongst many others. They have a strong culture of colourful masquerades that entertain people during festivals and other important functions. They are well known for their energetic dance steps, colourful attires, and masquerades. Nigerians prefer to develop personal relationships prior to conducting business. Nigerians are generally enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. Annual Lecture on China. At Ramadan, it is customary for Muslims to give gifts of food and fruit. Nigeria is the most populous countries in Africa, and also amongst the top 20 most diverse countries in the world. We can say that culture as a whole determines the framework in which a person can and should act. The Yoruba are predominantly of mixed Muslim and Christian backgrounds.The Yoruba make up about 21% of the country's population estimated to be over 225 million and about half of the Yoruba are Muslim, with the other half being Christian. [88] Hausa men wear barbarigas or kaftans (long flowing gowns) with tall decorated hats. 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). It is richer than all other West African nations and holds considerable power. 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. The language they speak is called the Edo language. Always wait until invited before using someones first name. Like many other aspects of life, food is a deeply rooted expression of identity, values, and way of life. 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). Several things go into greeting an elder in Nigeria, including ethnic background and gender. Their logic is often contextual. These are also important aspects of our culture. 1. 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. The early mosques built by men of this tribe were bright and colourful often including intricate engravings and elaborate designs. For those needing a more detailed and comprehensive overview of Nigeria we have published an expert, Report on Nigerian Society, Culture & Business, here to learn more about our customized cultural training. The Yorubas are fun-loving people and are known for their eye-catching, colourful and rhythmic dance steps. The women wear their hair in native styles such as Suku. As a developing country, Nigeria faces challenges regarding its infrastructure. Nigerian literature and its emerging figures were themselves the subject of a Times piece in November 2017. 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]. It also explores some of the challenges faced (legal and extralegal) in the protection of cultural heritage and discloses recent legal developments. Therefore, old people are always granted respect. 5. They make beautiful sculptures in honour of their gods and deities. The Ogbunike Caves are found in a valley in the tropical forest of southeast Nigeria, in Anambra State. 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. It is basically what makes a person human. Furthermore, Nigerians are known for their. [87] In the Igbo tradition, the men's cultural attire is Isiagu (a patterned shirt), which is worn with trousers and the traditional Igbo men's hat called Okpu Agwu. The Yoruba culture is rich and unique drawing comparison with no other culture around. Unfortunately, in our country, some subcultures oppose each other which lead to the spread of cultural differences in Nigeria. Similarly a family's honour is influenced by the actions of its members. Nigerian food is mostly made up of meals that are high in carbohydrates, such as cassavas, rice, maize, yams, and plenty of vegetables. One way that Nigeria is unique is through its heritage. Soups can be thickened by adding ground egusi (melon) seeds. Igbo, Hausa, Kanuri, Fulani, Yoruba, Ijaw, Ibibio, and Tiv are some of the major groups that make up the maximum population of Nigeria. 56 Likes, 1 Comments - Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (@kccnigeria_) on Instagram: "Winners of the KCCN "Introduce Your Korea" Event 5 " ' " Fufu is so emblematic of Nigeria that it figures in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, for example. Make a point of studying any business card you receive before putting it into a business card holder. Nigerian traditions are wide and vary in the different cultures. Cotton has been used for over 500 years for fabric-making in Nigeria. In spite of all these different languages, English is widely spoken around the country. Other clothing gear includes a gele, which is the woman's headgear. Nigerians are very religious and spiritual people. 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. It is common to gaze at the forehead or shoulders of someone they do not know well. Culture is defined as the way of life of a group of people. Age is believed to confer wisdom so older people are granted respect. Many employ indirect eye contact to demonstrate their respect for the other person. Culture unites people, integrates them, and ensures their strength as a community. People in urban regions of Nigeria dress in western style, the youth mainly wearing jeans and T-shirts. Simply change the country name depending on which guide you are referencing. They may raise their voices even more and become emotionally excited when they feel passionately about a topic. In outlook, education, dress and taste, the Hausa people and their counterparts the Fulani have become a significant part of the Islamic world, this said influence still remains until the current day. They can also be found in large numbers in Cameroon and other African countries. While many artists still work in these traditions, more-contemporary artists, who combine African and Western traditions, also abound. Its an active process, a lifestyle of people which is constantly growing, evolving and mutating. 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. They may smile to mask their true feelings, especially when disappointed or confused. They believe that embedding humour in their message guarantees that what they say is not readily forgotten. The region is well-known for its hospitality, cuisine and music. [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. The population of Nigeria makes up 1/8 of the inhabitants of the African continent. Meat is also popular and Nigerian suyaa barbecue-like roasted meatis a well-known delicacy. In some of Nigeria's northern states, polygamy is legal and men may marry several wives. The fact that the Times chose to profile the heads of Nigerias lifestyle magazines on the front page of its business section is even more notable, as it illustrates the growth of Nigerias international cultural influence. 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 Nigeria, there are more than 500 languages that are spoken. Several festivals are celebrated in Yorubaland yearly where the rich culture of the Yoruba people is displayed. Nigerian foods are spicy, mostly in the western and southern part of the country, even more so than in Indian cuisine. Always make time to share a tea with people you're doing business with. 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. [74] Praised by Nigerians for the strength it gives, garri is "the number one staple carbohydrate food item in Nigeria",[75] 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. Maize is another crop that is commonly grown in Nigeria. , and definitely, go the extra mile to make sure to throw notable and enjoyable events for their attendees. From the naturalistic statues produced at Ife to the bronzes made for the king of Benin, Nigerian artists have crafted art that is world famous. In cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt traffic is very bad, and it takes skillful scheduling to avoid getting caught in it. Rice is eaten throughout the country, and in the north grains such as millet and wheat are a large part of the diet. The terra-cotta figurines of the Nok are some of the earliest statues in existence from sub-Saharan Africa. You are also agreeing to our. However, pidgin English and indigenous languages are also spoken throughout the country. Nigeria has a rich culture. Nigerians living in the south of the country tend to speak more directly. Below are some of the most notable things about Nigerian culture. In fact, over 250 languages and dialects are used across Nigerias 36 states. With so many different cultures and regions, food can vary greatly. Their religion, mode of dressing, food, marriage, and language are all unique. Nigeria has three main environmental regions: savanna, tropical forests, and coastal wetlands. 'Odinana', on the contrary, is a code of life, handed down from Chukwu, God the Creator, to Eri, the patriarch of the Igbo race, to prevent chaos and confusion. The arrival of the Fulani people into Hausaland brought about great changes in the land, which included the introduction of Islam. 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. Shake hands at the beginning and end of meetings. Retrieved from https://commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/afghanistan-guide. In the article, author Adenike Olanrewaju describes the emergence of publications Genevieve Magazine, Exquisite Magazine, Todays Woman, and Glam Africa. The importance of culture in Nigeria cannot be overestimated. Daily life in Nigeria varies based on location, and whether you reside in the city or rural areas. Order via the button below to receive your Nigeria Insight in seconds or read more here before buying. It has the largest population in Africa and the land is endowed with vast quantities of natural resources. Working hours in the north often vary from those in the south so that Muslims do not work on their holy day, which is Friday. Smiling and showing sincere pleasure at meeting the person is important. 3 Best Alternative Digital Banks in Nigeria for Online Transaction. The Palm Wine Drinkard, a popular novel by Amos Tutuola, was written in it. This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License. 2. Another major Nigerian city is Port Harcourt. Global Health Program, Higher Education Webinar: Teaching the History of American Democracy, Webinar 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. Renewing America, Backgrounder Can culture exist without society? Tags: Importance Of Culture In Nigeria,Types Of Culture In Nigeria. [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. Yorubas have a strong political system with the Oba at the helm of affairs. Nollywood movies are beginning to reach audiences in Europe and the United States, with cities such as Frankfurt, Los Angeles, and Toronto now hosting Nollywood film festivals. The women wear Iro and Buba and tie a complimentary headgear. The traditional Yoruba kingships still survive, but with only a hint of their former political power. There is also a rich nightlife, complete with live music events, and celebrations around personal milestones such as birthdays and weddings, in Nigerias bustling cities. Any attempt to bypass this protocol will hamper your business success. The people of ancient Nigeria were able to make their own weapons. 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. 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. It is used for communication. Food and eating food is a universal experience, an element of common ground in terms of . Presently, Nigerias religious landscape is generally dominated by Christianity in the South and Islam in the North. The dry, open grasslands of the savanna make cereal farming and herding a way of life for the Hausa and [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. These environmental regions greatly affect the cultures of the people who live there. Address people initially by their academic, professional or honorific title and their surname. [5][6][7] Nigeria also has over 1150 dialects and ethnic groups. Very direct eye contact may be interpreted as being intrusive unless there is a longstanding personal relationship. Different generations of Nigerians are closely connected due to their culture. 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. Funerals are also times when the family gathers. A complimentary cap called Fila may be added to the dressing. 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. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. As a developing country, Nigeria faces challenges regarding its infrastructure. As stated above, the three most influential ethnic group in Nigeria are Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. 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.