[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. In spite of all these different languages, English is widely spoken around the country. The climate in Nigeria is typically hot, ranging from 28 38 degrees Celsius depending on the time of the year. [19] The Fulani and the Hausa are mostly Muslim, while the Igbo are mostly Christian and so are the Bini and the Ibibio. Japanese culture places great value on respect, honor, discipline and personal growth. The most important task for the government is to find ways to unite people, rather than divide them. . Nigerian Culture and Why it is Important to Understand for - kpakpakpa 4) Lots of oil, little electricity. Food and eating food is a universal experience, an element of common ground in terms of . Nigerian food is mostly made up of meals that are high in carbohydrates, such as cassavas, rice, maize, yams, and plenty of vegetables. 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. The climate also varies slightly depending on the region. After reading this article you will find out why. 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. They tend to examine behaviour in its total context, not merely what they have observed. February 22, 2023 Success, like in any other culture, is important to Nigerias citizens and is greatly revered in Nigerian culture. The mode of dressing of Yoruba males includes wearing Bubba and Sokoto and also a large flowing gown called Agbada. Sometimes even consumer products are marketed by focusing on a higher being. They are extremely tolerant of the languages of other people around them, leading to the suppression of theirs - especially in northern Nigeria by Hausa. Nigeria's culture rooted in fashion, film, music, and literature translates into . "[67] Nigeria has other notable writers of English language literature. 968 Words4 Pages. Social standing and recognition is achieved through extended families. Age and position always demand great respect. The three largest ethnic groups are the Hausas that are predominantly in the north, the Yorubas who predominate in the southwest, and the Igbos in the southeast. [42][43], The Ijaw people are said to be a collection of people that are native to the Niger Delta area in Nigeria. [1][2] The country has 527 languages,[3][4] seven of which are extinct. 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. Like many other aspects of life, food is a deeply rooted expression of identity, values, and way of life. Five things about Nigeria: The superpower with no power The ladies wear their hair in traditional styles and complement their looks with a lot of jewellery, ornaments, and paintings. In cities like, Lagos and Port Harcourt traffic is very bad, and it takes skillful scheduling to avoid getting caught in it. Nigerians celebrate several holidays throughout the year, including Independence Day (October 1), Workers Day (May 1), and various Christian and Islamic holidays. Lagos, Nigerias former capital, is also the countrys most popular city and is located along the coast in the southwest region. The Hausa and Fulani are in fact different tribes, but are often counted as one due to cultural similarity. 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. Native religions in which people believe in deities, spirits and ancestor worship, are spread throughout the country. On November 5, the New York Times ran on the first page of its business section a long piece on the emergence of luxury lifestyle publications in Nigeria. In recent time, the styles have evolved to more contemporary designs. January 31, 2022, How Tobacco Laws Could Help Close the Racial Gap on Cancer, Interactive The Igbo people of Eastern Nigeria commonly called Ndi Igbo are a very cultural set of people. 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. We are all different, but culture helps to unite us. Photo by IITA (CC BY-NC 2.0). You must take the time to ask about the persons health, the health of their family, or other social niceties. Although this was a very long time ago, the Ijaws have, however, kept the ancient language and culture of the Orus. Before looking at the importance and types of culture in Nigeria, its good to know the definition. As mentioned above, Nigeria is the most populous African country, and also amongst the top 10 most populous countries in the world with approximately 195 million people. Prior to conducting business in a foreign country, understanding the countrys cultural landscape, people, beliefs, and cultural nuances are imperative. Nigeria - Daily life and social customs | Britannica It is used for keeping records of important events, history and culture. Kanuri, Fulani, Hausa, Tiv - are the most densely populated groups that live in the north. Silk (called tsamiya in Hausa, sanyan in Yoruba, and akpa-obubu in Igbo) is also used. 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. A company culture that prioritizes high employee satisfaction sets itself up for payoff in the form of higher employee motivation, lower turnover rates and . Commonly referred to as the giant of Africa, Nigeria is highly populated and unlike any other African country. 10 Traditions Only Nigerians Can Understand - Culture Trip [39] Their traditional religion is known as Omenani/Omenala. Importance of culture Nigeria culture plays an important role in lives of separate individuals and the society as the whole. Present and receive business cards with two hands or the right hand, never with the left. Nigeria itself is home to several textile industries that go towards clothing the Nigerian people. November 4, 2022 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 . 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. Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. The eastern part of Nigeria is the home of the Igbos, who are mostly Christians. 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. The culture of Nigeria is shaped by Nigeria's multiple ethnic groups. Fufu is so emblematic of Nigeria that it figures in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, for example. The Yoruba culture is rich and unique drawing comparison with no other culture around. Music and art are important aspects of everyday life in the Hausa/Fulani and they are well known for the Dubar celebration. The terra-cotta figurines of the Nok are some of the earliest statues in existence from sub-Saharan Africa. 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. This is especially true when speaking their native language, although many of the same characteristics have been carried into their English language usage. Other symbols used to communicate and share stories are music, sculpture, dance, painting, theater etc. [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. [84], Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups[85] and as a result, a wide variety of traditional clothing styles. Seafood, beef, poultry, and goat are the primary sources of protein. The Hausa, who do not consider dancing to be an art, divide their dances into the categories of social dancing and ceremonial borii dances. Culturally, Nigeria is like a coat of many colours. Academic and Higher Education Webinars, C.V. Starr & Co. The headquarter of Yorubaland is Ile-life where they believe creation started. Let's appreciate and preserve our culture and traditions and use them as vehicles towards our development, growth, and unity. It is common to gaze at the forehead or shoulders of someone they do not know well. The Importance Of Implementing A Strong Company Culture: 5 Core Values 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 significance of Ife culture in Nigerian history will be discussed below: The Origin of Ife Culture in Nigeria In Yoruba land, Ife is considered the place of creation. The arrival of the Fulani people into Hausaland brought about great changes in the land, which included the introduction of Islam. Nigeria was once a British colony, so the official national language is English. Their chiefs are therefore monarchs and titled individuals, with most of the latter group making up the membership of the Ogboni secret society. Nigerians are a group of people who are so different but still united as one in the quest to achieve a common purpose of nation-building. 34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY, UK. Nigeria is the most important country politically and economically in West Africa. It is said that it was at Ife that the gods descended from heaven and created the world. 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. somethings gotta give I dont have what I need now, but I will have it eventually., I shouldnt complain because I should be grateful, Im fine. In fact, a businesss success as a new entrant in a market often hinges on the understanding of the cultural landscape of the country in question. This then ended up playing a significant role in the social life and culture of the Hausa people. Any attempt to bypass this protocol will hamper your business success. The country is often discussed in terms of its regions (i.e., North, Southeast, and Southwest) and its dominant tribes. In the Yoruba tradition, women wear an iro (wrapper), buba (loose shirt) and gele (head-wrap). The word "Ubinu" was used to depict and portray the royal administrative centre or capital proper of the kingdom, Edo. Four full-color images cover the page, each of the creators and editors of influential culture and fashion magazines based in Lagos. Families are a crucial aspect of Nigerian society and are typically larger than in the west. The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. To read more about the Nigerian management style, click here. Any disagreement between members will be interpreted as meaning that you are not relaying the entire story and that they should proceed cautiously. This helped spread them to some countries around Nigeria. Drinks include traditional brews like palm wine. Furthermore, Nigerians are known for their. These figures are expected to confer subordinate titles upon men and women that are highly accomplished. For men the loose-fitting shirt goes down to halfway down the thigh. The Igbo ethnic group most produce and trade in oil, cocoa and rubber. Photo by Ayoola Salako on Unsplash. Adam Valavanis is a volunteer intern in the Africa program at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, DC. 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. 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. [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. Nigeria boasts of 300 or more different ethnic groups. Artefacts stolen from Benin sit on shelves of many foreign museums and in the private homes of foreigners. 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 Lalli or henna paintings and drawings are a very popular and indispensable part of their makeup. Generally speaking, Nigerians are outgoing and friendly. with Ivan Kanapathy, Bonny Lin and Stephen S. Roach The people of this tribe are gifted sculptors. In addition to its intrinsic value, culture provides important social and economic benefits. Discover w. Nigerian beans, quite different from green peas, are widely popular. 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. [32] The Fulani people are also nomadic in nature; this nomadic lifestyle spread them into virtually all of West Africa. His personalized sound, dubbed Afrobeat, is now one of the continent's most widely recognised genres. At Ramadan, it is customary for Muslims to give gifts of food and fruit. 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. [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. Yorubas have a strong political system with the Oba at the helm of affairs. Age is believed to be the main wisdom of the nation. Culture of Nigeria - Wikipedia The constitution guarantees religious freedom. 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. 3. Address people initially by their academic, professional or honorific title and their surname. We live in a multi-faceted country. The Nigerian Government in September, 1988, launched the "National Cultural Policy". It is used for commemoration. [17][18], Nigeria's other ethnic groups, sometimes called 'minorities', are found throughout the country but especially in the north and the middle belt. 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. The most common greeting is a handshake with a warm, welcoming smile. Retrieved from https://commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/afghanistan-guide. An person's immersion in a culture is determined by his/her socialization, familiarity with cultural heritage, as well as the development of his individual abilities.All these are usually achieved in the process of upbringing and education. The Importance of Cultural Competence in Healthcare: The Case of Nigeria Other clothing gear includes a gele, which is the woman's headgear. 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. www.commisceo-global.com. In this country, individuals usually become a part of one or more ethnic groups in Nigeria. 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. 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. Types of Culture in Nigeria and Their Importance (2023) The Yoruba often use humour to prevent boredom during long meetings or serious discussions. 2. 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. 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. Daily life in Nigeria varies based on location, and whether you reside in the city or rural areas. Minority ethnic groups live throughout the nation although higher concentrations of these groups live in the northern and the middle regions of Nigeria. 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. Never use the left hand only. Make a point of studying any business card you receive before putting it into a business card holder. Nigeria is the most populous countries in Africa, and also amongst the top 20 most diverse countries in the world. In Nigeria, there are more than 500 languages that are spoken. NIGERIA CULTURAL DIVERSITY. | World Scouting - scouts.org Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. (2020). Significance of Ife Culture in Nigerian History Due to the ethnic make-up of the country, communication styles vary. The number of languages currently estimated and catalogued in Nigeria is 521. Daily life in Nigeria varies based on location, and whether you reside in the city or rural areas. There is an indefinite number of cultures around the world. 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. More than 250 ethnic groups can be found in Nigeria today, each of which has its own traditions and customs. 90 Nigerian Culture Facts That Shed Light On African Countries LESSON 2 - IMPORTANCE/USES OF ART. In the course of socialization the values, ideals, norms, patterns of behavior become a part of a person's self-awareness. Here are seven signs indicating you have a culture that values security. NIGERIAN PEOPLE And CULTURE - Facts & All You Need To Know Renewing America, Backgrounder They have a strong culture of colourful masquerades that entertain people during festivals and other important functions. It is basically what makes a person human. [62] With over eight million copies sold worldwide, it has been translated into 50 languages, making Achebe the most translated African writer of all time. [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. [53] They eventually became the most urbanized Africans of precolonial times.