This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License. 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. Culture unites people, integrates them, and ensures their strength as a community. The Importance of Cultural Competence in Healthcare: The Case of Nigeria Other forms of traditional food include fufu, eba, okra, egusi, and ogbono. The Top 10 Heritage Sites in Nigeria - Culture Trip 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. Hotels and nightclubs are part of the landscape of the larger cities. One of the main features of culture in Nigeria is its hierarchical system. In cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt traffic is very bad, and it takes skillful scheduling to avoid getting caught in it. This then ended up playing a significant role in the social life and culture of the Hausa people. The Ijaw people are said by some to be the descendants of the autochthonous people of Africa known as the (H) ORU. 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. For women, the loose-fitting blouse goes down a little below the waist. The language they speak is called the Edo language. Their traditional religion, Ifa, has been recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral tradition of Humanity. Unique to Nigeria, the percentage of Christians to Muslims are nearly equal, with a small percentage being allocated to populations that practice indigenous religions. 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. The climate in Nigeria is typically hot, ranging from 28 38 degrees Celsius depending on the time of the year. They may raise their voices even more and become emotionally excited when they feel passionately about a topic. This is not a first name culture, although that may be changing with people under the age of 35. Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual. [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. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. 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. Backed by a suite of sophisticated services and solutions, KPA brings in-depth insights, diverse experiences, and genuine care to every client engagement to deliver the results you need to exceed your set business goals. According to Yoruba Mythology, this group of people believes that they are descendants of Oduduwa. At the time of independence, many hoped that as a huge, democratic country, Nigeria would provide Africa with a seat at the table among the traditional international powers. The traditional Yoruba kingships still survive, but with only a hint of their former political power. Top 5 Best Bank in Nigeria for Online Transaction A Hausa farmer. The fundamental issue here is what motivates people, wanting to be the best (masculine) or liking what you do (feminine). [26][27] They are an ethnic group that is primarily found in Edo State, and spread across the Delta, Ondo, and Rivers states of Nigeria in smaller concentrations. The population of Nigeria makes up 1/8 of the inhabitants of the African continent. [32] The Fulani people are also nomadic in nature; this nomadic lifestyle spread them into virtually all of West Africa. This is especially true when speaking their native language, although many of the same characteristics have been carried into their English language usage. Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. (2020). This is due to the large number of ethnic groups that exist in the country. Music and dance are integral to Nigerian culture, and each ethnic group has its own specialties. Nigeria is the most populous African country, and also amongst the top 10 most populous countries in the world with approximately 195 million people. The Bini people[15][16] are most frequent in the region between Yorubaland and Igboland. [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. Nigerians' Growing Cultural Influence Around the World You must take the time to ask about the persons health, the health of their family, or other social niceties. As in the rest of Africa, it is rude to rush the greeting process. [55] Oyo and the other kingdoms declined in the late 18th and 19th centuries owing to disputes among minor Yoruba rulers and invasions by the Fon of Dahomey (now Benin) and the Muslim Fulani. 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 . The climate also varies slightly depending on the region. In Nigeria, the common greeting, How are you doing? is frequently met with a hearty, Fine, thank God!. The rationale behind these weddings is that the union needs to be recognized by religion, the law, and by tradition. 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 Lalli or henna paintings and drawings are a very popular and indispensable part of their makeup. You invest in security. The importance of culture in Nigeria cannot be overestimated. In the article, author Adenike Olanrewaju describes the emergence of publications Genevieve Magazine, Exquisite Magazine, Todays Woman, and Glam Africa. Nigerias culture rooted in fashion, film, music, and literature translates into enhanced international prestige. November 4, 2022 Other groups worthy of mention are Ijaw, Edo, Itshekiri, Kanuri, Efik, and Tiv. After radio and television stations were established in all the state capitals, they began broadcasting programs featuring traditional music and dance, folk operas, and storytelling; these programs are now available in some 25 languages. Cultural conflicts can arise within large communities as a result. With so many different cultures and regions, food can vary greatly. As a developing country, Nigeria faces challenges regarding its infrastructure. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); TYPES OF CULTURE IN NIGERIA AND THEIR IMPORTANCE (2023). While Nigeria has always been politically and culturally influential on the African continent thanks to its large population and enormous oil wealth, the Times coverage is the latest example of growing Western interest in Nigerian culture. It is richer than all other West African nations and holds considerable power. The terra-cotta figurines of the Nok are some of the earliest statues in existence from sub-Saharan Africa. They can also be found in large numbers in Cameroon and other African countries. Descending into the valley is a lengthy walkway of 317 steps, which were constructed by the state government. It is basically what makes a person human. In a social situation, they are greeted and served first. 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]. They shape and regulate his behavior. Perhaps that is happening first with respect to art and culture, rather than by the more conventional political and security means. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country of almost 200 million people. Other symbols used to communicate and share stories are music, sculpture, dance, painting, theater etc. Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. 5. LESSON 2 - IMPORTANCE/USES OF ART. The Hausa and Fulani are in fact different tribes, but are often counted as one due to cultural similarity. Smiling and showing sincere pleasure at meeting the person is important. Nigerians typically hold a primary position of employment but are always on the lookout for other opportunities to generate supplemental income. Lagos, Nigerias former capital, is also the countrys most popular city and is located along the coast in the southwest region. Unfortunately, in our country, some subcultures oppose each other which lead to the spread of cultural differences in Nigeria. You are also agreeing to our. Before looking at the importance and types of culture in Nigeria, its good to know the definition. They are concentrated in the southwestern section of Nigeria, much smaller and scattered groups of Yoruba people live in Benin and northern Togo and they are numbered to be more than 20 million at the turn of the 21st century. This group is predominantly Muslim as Islam was introduced into Nigeria by the Fulanis. Here are seven signs indicating you have a culture that values security. His personalized sound, dubbed Afrobeat, is now one of the continent's most widely recognised genres. Stay up to date on the latest insights we have to offer. The app is highly secured, licensed by CBN and insured by NDIC which makes your money safe even if anything goes wrong. [60], Nigeria is famous for its English language literature. 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. Although Lagos is located in the southwest region of Nigeria, Lagos is a port city with an International Airport and is considered to be Nigerias center of commerce. Things arent perfect, but Im grateful for what I have., Factors to be Aware of When Visiting Nigeria for Business. Expect the first few meetings to be somewhat formal as your Nigerian counterparts continue to become comfortable with you as a person. A very important source of information on modern Nigerian art is the Virtual Museum of Modern Nigerian Art operated by the Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos. 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 Yoruba language is pleasing to the ear as it places a lot of emphasis on intonation. Simply change the country name depending on which guide you are referencing. Order via the button below to receive your Nigeria Insight in seconds or read more here before buying. The Igbo political system isnt strong which explains why they are not a politically strong unit within the Nigerian system. It's a complex system that transfers social experience from one generation to other and from era to era. These are also important aspects of our culture. For instance, "How you dey" means "How are you". Art is created serve many purposes, among these are: 1. The Ijaws were originally known by this name (Oru); at least it was what their immediate neighbours assumed them to be. Adam Valavanis is a volunteer intern in the Africa program at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, DC. a powdered cassava grain that can be readily eaten as a meal and is quite inexpensive. Importance of culture in Nigeria - Legit.ng This port city is located in the oil-rich Niger Delta region and serves as the capital of Rivers State. 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. If you plan to work from an agenda, it is a good idea to send it in advance of the meeting. 1 Jan. 2020 https://commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/afghanistan-guide, Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. (2020, January 1) Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Some more examples of their traditional dishes are eba, pounded yam, iyan, fufu and soups like okra, ogbono and egusi. February 13, 2023 The 41-page PDF document has been authored by one of our Nigeria country specialists and provides readers with much more detail that our free guide above. The principal exports are palm oil and palm kernels. 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. Team members should present a united front at meetings. Social standing and recognition is achieved through extended families. You put your proverbial (and actual) money where your mouth is in the form of budget and staff . 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. Muslims observe Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and the two Eids. Historically, Nigerian fashion incorporated many different types of fabrics. The way of life of any society involves a number of areas (labour, politics, economics, ethics, aesthetics, law, family, religion, etc). There is an indefinite number of cultures around the world. Nigerian Culture and Why it is Important to Understand for - kpakpakpa Wole Soyinka, who won the 1986 Nobel Prize for Literature, was the first Black African to receive the award. The women wear their hair in native styles such as Suku. Native religions in which people believe in deities, spirits and ancestor worship, are spread throughout the country. The overwhelming majority, with the exception of Tiv, profess the Muslim religion. They look for the rationale behind behaviour and attempt to understand the context. The Cultural Dimensions Of Nigeria's Cultural Dimension Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. Global Climate Agreements: Successes and Failures, Backgrounder Gifts are not always opened when received. [86] The men wear buba (long shirt), sokoto (baggy trousers), agbada (flowing robe with wide sleeves) and fila (a hat). 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 kora and the kakaki are also important. They are extremely tolerant of the languages of other people around them, leading to the suppression of theirs - especially in northern Nigeria by Hausa. Culture is defined as the way of life of a group of people. [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. [5][6][7] Nigeria also has over 1150 dialects and ethnic groups. Culture - Federal Ministry of Information and Culture [78], Traditional musicians use a number of diverse instruments, such as Gongon drums. 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. Challenges that include a variety of issues, such as inconsistent electricity, bad roads, and low-quality public transportation. At the same time, a harsh tone is considered unwelcoming and even hostile. with Ivan Kanapathy, Bonny Lin and Stephen S. Roach As stated above, the three most influential ethnic group in Nigeria are Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. 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. masterpiece of the oral tradition of Humanity, all of whom have been titled chiefs of various ethnic groups, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Nigerian cultural values are under threat, Toyin Falola, US scholar, warns", "Culture Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria", "Culture Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of Korea", "Nigeria: most common languages spoken at home 2020", "There are 27 languages close to extinction in Nigeria", "Igbos, Yorubas have historical ties - Ooni of Ife", "Nigeria: The politics of religion in a transitional society, By Rotimi Akeredolu", "Major tribes in Nigeria and their states with all the details", "Full list of all 371 tribes in Nigeria, states where they originate", "Tooth Dyeing Tradition among the Kanuri Speaking People of Borno, Nigeria", "Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Enugu: Tale of four cities The Nation Newspaper", "Fulani | People, Religion, & Nigeria | Britannica", "Islam has a small presence in Nigeria's Igbo region: what a new Quran translation offers", "Chrislam: Defying Nigeria's Religious Boundaries", "The Oba of Benin Kingdom: A history of the monarchy", "Benin: The hallowed culture of one of the world's most ancient people", "Fulani and Hausa: What's the difference?