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. Many Muslims and Christians may also intertwine their beliefs with more unorthodox indigenous ones. Nigerians are generally, enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. Pidgin English is a creolized form of the language. 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. 34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY, UK. The Lalli or henna paintings and drawings are a very popular and indispensable part of their makeup. Japanese culture places great value on respect, honor, discipline and personal growth. Nigerian food offers a rich blend of traditionally African carbohydrates such as yam and cassava as well as the vegetable soups with which they are often served. Therefore, it is a good idea to observe the situation carefully before determining what behaviour is appropriate. The climate also varies slightly depending on the region. according to this 2013 Pew Research study. Ekiti Yoruba dancers wear head masks so heavy that they can do only processional dances. [76], Nigeria is known for its many traditional dishes. Order via the button below to receive your Nigeria Insight in seconds or read more here before buying. Nigeria - Geography Meat is also popular and Nigerian suyaa barbecue-like roasted meatis a well-known delicacy. 1. Traditionally, cultures such as the Yoruba used to wear clothing such as gele (a cloth wrapped around the head by women), afbada (a robe for formal functions), and other forms of attire. Culture of Nigeria - history, people, clothing, traditions, women Annual Lecture on China. Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. The most common greeting is a handshake with a warm, welcoming smile. In fact, over 250 languages and dialects are used across Nigerias 36 states. What is real American culture? - coalitionbrewing.com 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. [42][43], The Ijaw people are said to be a collection of people that are native to the Niger Delta area in Nigeria. Even though most ethnic groups prefer to communicate in their own languages, English, being the official language, is widely used for education, business transactions and for official purposes. 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 the book, which discussed generally about African American culture which Nigeria may belong. This attention comes after increased international consumption of Nigerias hugely popular film industry, Nollywood, which is already well-established across the African continent. Shared below is some helpful information about Nigerian culture. They look for the rationale behind behaviour and attempt to understand the context. Grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers and in-laws all work as a unit through life.Family relationships are guided by hierarchy and seniority. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. The constitution guarantees religious freedom. #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. Culture - Federal Ministry of Information and Culture Nigerias religious affiliations have recently made it into international news due to active, militant Islamic groups. Nigerians typically hold a primary position of employment but are always on the lookout for other opportunities to generate supplemental income. 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. The highest position Nigeria ever reached on the ranking was 5th, in April 1994. Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. One way that Nigeria is unique is through its heritage. Meaning of Arts | Branches/Types of Art | Importance Uses of Art Along with South Africa, Nigeria is considered a super-power in the African continent and consequently Nigerians are generally proud of their country. In recent time, the styles have evolved to more contemporary designs. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Nigeria is the most populous African country, and also amongst the top 10 most populous countries in the world with approximately 195 million people. Men from this tribe are known to wear large flowing gowns known as Babban Riga and also a robe-like dress called Jalabia or Juanni. Nigeria has two seasons: rainy season, which occurs in April until September, and dry season, which is referred to as Harmattan. Age and position earns, even demands, respect. Some would argue that the real soundtrack of Nigeria is not Afrobeats, but the din of diesel generators as most Nigerians, even if they are connected to mains . Simply change the country name depending on which guide you are referencing. Nigeria - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette Although the role of the extended family is diminishing somewhat in urban areas, there remains a strong tradition of mutual caring and responsibility among the members. "[67] Nigeria has other notable writers of English language literature. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country of almost 200 million people. a powdered cassava grain that can be readily eaten as a meal and is quite inexpensive. Nigeria has a rich artistic heritage, including both traditional and contemporary art forms. Culture of Nigeria - Wikipedia [33][34], The Hausas, on the other hand, are said to be very good merchants. Shake hands at the beginning and end of meetings. Traditional instruments include various types of flutes, trumpets, musical bows, xylophones, and wooden clappers, as well as many varieties of drums. Its members amassed great wealth while serving as middlemen, and the preponderance of English names among them today is a testament to the trade names adopted by their ancestors at this time. To read more about the Nigerian management style, click here. January 31, 2022, How Tobacco Laws Could Help Close the Racial Gap on Cancer, Interactive The rationale behind these weddings is that the union needs to be recognized by religion, the law, and by tradition. In the article, author Adenike Olanrewaju describes the emergence of publications Genevieve Magazine, Exquisite Magazine, Todays Woman, and Glam Africa. [19] The Fulani and the Hausa are mostly Muslim, while the Igbo are mostly Christian and so are the Bini and the Ibibio. Nigerian playwright and musician Hubert Ogunde, founder of Nigerias first professional theatrical company (the Ogunde Concert Party), incorporated traditional instruments into his musical dramas of the 1940s in an effort to revive interest in indigenous culture. The women wear Iro and Buba and tie a complimentary headgear. [32] The Fulani people are also nomadic in nature; this nomadic lifestyle spread them into virtually all of West Africa. Before looking at the importance and types of culture in Nigeria, its good to know the definition. 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. February 1, 2023 All this diversity makes the unification of Nigerians into a single nation a rather difficult task. Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. (2020). 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. Fermented palm products make a traditional liquor, palm wine, and also fermented cassava. In cities like, Lagos and Port Harcourt traffic is very bad, and it takes skillful scheduling to avoid getting caught in it. [39] Their traditional religion is known as Omenani/Omenala. Lagos, Nigerias former capital, is also the countrys most popular city and is located along the coast in the southwest region. You will frequently see colleagues gathering at a restaurant or local watering hole for after-work drinks to discuss the latest news in business, politics, or tabloid gossip. Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. There is an indefinite number of cultures around the world. The import market for this fabric is dominated by the Dutch company Vlisco,[83] which has been selling its Dutch wax print fabric to Nigerians since the late 1800s, when the fabric was sold along the company's oceanic trading route to Indonesia. [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. Curtis shares a powerful quote from Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn, about the importance of the first 100 hires in shaping a company's culture. 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. The Hausa and Fulani people live primarily in the North, the Igbo reside in the Southeast, and the Yoruba inhabit the Southwest. [86] The men wear buba (long shirt), sokoto (baggy trousers), agbada (flowing robe with wide sleeves) and fila (a hat). [51] The Yoruba people have always shared a common language called the Yoruba language and the same culture for hundreds of years now but they were less likely to be a single political unit. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Daily life in Nigeria varies based on location, and whether you reside in the city or rural areas. Nigeria is the most important country politically and economically in West Africa. A Nigerian generally waits for the woman to extend her hand. A colonial explorer stole Aboriginal spears in 1770. Centuries later They are extremely tolerant of the languages of other people around them, leading to the suppression of theirs - especially in northern Nigeria by Hausa. The Ijaws were originally known by this name (Oru); at least it was what their immediate neighbours assumed them to be. Yam is the main staple food of the Igbos which is why they celebrate the new yam festival every year when the harvesting of yam starts. The Cultural Dimensions Of Nigeria's Cultural Dimension It is a good idea to maintain a polite and somewhat reserved manner until the person you are meeting drops some of his formality. February 22, 2023 For example, it is typical for Nigerians to have three weddings, unless they are getting married to foreigners. Igbo, Hausa, Kanuri, Fulani, Yoruba, Ijaw, Ibibio, and Tiv are some of the major groups that make up the maximum population of Nigeria. Culture is defined as the way of life of a group of people. NIGERIA CULTURAL DIVERSITY. | World Scouting - scouts.org Five things about Nigeria: The superpower with no power [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). The Yorubas are a diverse group of people bound together by language, history, culture and a common sense of origin. 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]. We are all different, but culture helps to unite us. It's a complex system that transfers social experience from one generation to other and from era to era. Drinks include traditional brews like palm wine. The importance of culture in Nigeria cannot be overestimated. Families are a crucial aspect of Nigerian society and are typically larger than in the west. Beans and root vegetables are ubiquitous. You are also agreeing to our. Establishments serving alcoholic beverages are found everywhere except where Islamic laws prohibit them. Culture is defined as the way of life of a group of people. Music and dance are integral to Nigerian culture, and each ethnic group has its own specialties. Nigeria's vibrant popular culture reflects great changes in inherited traditions and adaptations of imported ones. 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 first wedding is traditional, the second one being in a court, while the third is in the church or the mosque. Unfortunately, in our country, some subcultures oppose each other which lead to the spread of cultural differences in Nigeria. Beautifully crafted sculptures of wood, brass, and terracotta are common things among the Yoruba. 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. Their traditional religion, Ifa, has been recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral tradition of Humanity. Nigerians are very religious and spiritual people. Perhaps that is happening first with respect to art and culture, rather than by the more conventional political and security means. Maize is another crop that is commonly grown in Nigeria. The Igbo political system isnt strong which explains why they are not a politically strong unit within the Nigerian system. 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. Tribal marks used to be widely popular amongst Yorubas but that culture is fast washing out amongst modern Yoruba descendants. Food: An Important Feature Of Our Cultural Identity 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. 56 Likes, 1 Comments - Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (@kccnigeria_) on Instagram: "Winners of the KCCN "Introduce Your Korea" Event 5 " ' " 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. 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. 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. It is used for expressing one's feelings. Historically, Nigerian fashion incorporated many different types of fabrics. With nearly 200 million inhabitants, it also happens to be one of the world's largest countries by population. 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). In addition, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, and Naija Invest Gateway, provide real-time information on the Nigerian business culture. Any disagreement between members will be interpreted as meaning that you are not relaying the entire story and that they should proceed cautiously. The Nigerian Government in September, 1988, launched the "National Cultural Policy". Nigerian traditions are wide and vary in the different cultures. Food is an important part of Nigerian life. Rice is eaten throughout the country, and in the north grains such as millet and wheat are a large part of the diet. The Yoruba people live in the southwestern and north-central parts of Nigeria. Since then, Nigerian and African patterns, colour schemes, and motifs have been incorporated into Vlisco's designs to become a staple of the brand. Culture - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria Protection of Cultural Heritage: The Nigerian experience Native religions in which people believe in deities, spirits and ancestor worship, are spread throughout the country. Generally speaking, Nigerians are outgoing and friendly. Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria on Instagram: "Winners of the KCCN In Igboland, both men and women tie wrappers. Therefore, if this is the first time you are meeting with a Nigerian company, you should expect to devote a decent period of time to getting to know people on a personal level. The cave, has about 10 inner chambers and several tunnels, some of which are interlinked. Nigerian literature and its emerging figures were themselves the subject of a Times piece in November 2017.