We are all different, but culture helps to unite us. However, cultural differences should be perceived as wealth, not an obstacle. It is a good idea to include any advanced university degree on your business card. Close friends and family members often kiss and hug when meeting. . Many dishes are flavoured with onions, palm oil, and chilies. Nigeria's vibrant popular culture reflects great changes in inherited traditions and adaptations of imported ones. Nigerian foods are spicy, mostly in the western and southern part of the country, even more so than in Indian cuisine. Therefore, it is a good idea to observe the situation carefully before determining what behaviour is appropriate. For example, the cassavas can be ground up and the flour used to make a delicious and inexpensive porridge. according to this 2013 Pew Research study. Generally speaking, Nigerians are outgoing and friendly. Lagos, Nigerias former capital, is also the countrys most popular city and is located along the coast in the southwest region. Music and art are important aspects of everyday life in the Hausa/Fulani and they are well known for the Dubar celebration. 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. This attention comes after increased international consumption of Nigerias hugely popular film industry, Nollywood, which is already well-established across the African continent. 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. Regardless of the countrys developmental struggles, Nigerians enjoy interacting with their community. As stated above, the three most influential ethnic group in Nigeria are Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. Nigerian literature and its emerging figures were themselves the subject of a Times piece in November 2017. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Men may place their left hand on the other persons shoulder while shaking hands. The women wear wrappers and shirts and cover their heads with hijabs (veils).[89]. Age and position always demand great respect. Many Muslims and Christians may also intertwine their beliefs with more unorthodox indigenous ones. Global Health Program, Higher Education Webinar: Teaching the History of American Democracy, Webinar Violation of these laws will lead to certain sanctions that are established by the community and are supported by the power of public opinion. In addition, they are also very good porters, weavers, and metalsmiths. Nigerians prefer facial expressions that imply empathy and believe an indifferent facial expression indicates that a person is ignorant or obnoxious. Fashion is diverse and varies depending on the ethnic groups, culture, and religion. 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. 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. We can say that culture as a whole determines the framework in which a person can and should act. Photo by Muhammadtaha Ibrahim Ma'aji on Unsplash. 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. In masculine countries people "live in order to work", managers are expected to be decisive and assertive, the emphasis is on equity, competition and . The most popular Yoruba manifestations of this custom are the Gelede masquerades.[80]. 34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY, UK. The country is often discussed in terms of its regions (i.e., North, Southeast, and Southwest) and its dominant tribes. November 4, 2022 [17][18], Nigeria's other ethnic groups, sometimes called 'minorities', are found throughout the country but especially in the north and the middle belt. Many use gestures when communicating. Present and receive business cards with two hands or the right hand, never with the left. Order via the button below to receive your Nigeria Insight in seconds or read more here before buying. The way of life of any society involves a number of areas (labour, politics, economics, ethics, aesthetics, law, family, religion, etc). Discover w. One of the main features of culture in Nigeria is its hierarchical system. It has become a common lingua franca as a result. 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. Age and position earns, even demands, respect. This helped spread them to some countries around Nigeria. Nigeria is the most populous countries in Africa, and also amongst the top 20 most diverse countries in the world. 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). The population of Nigeria makes up 1/8 of the inhabitants of the African continent. Stay up to date on the latest insights we have to offer. Make certain that your title is prominently displayed. The early mosques built by men of this tribe were bright and colourful often including intricate engravings and elaborate designs. 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. This is known as the Nze na Ozo title system. The first wedding is traditional, the second one being in a court, while the third is in the church or the mosque. For example, it is typical for Nigerians to have three weddings, unless they are getting married to foreigners. To read more about the Nigerian management style, click here. Movie theatres, showing mostly Indian and American films, are popular among the urban middle- and low-income groups. 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. While many artists still work in these traditions, more-contemporary artists, who combine African and Western traditions, also abound. Hotels and nightclubs are part of the landscape of the larger cities. 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. Dance for the Ubakala shows their value system, helps resolve conflicts, and also institutes change. It used for . If the information has changed, have new cards printed. Therefore, understanding Nigerian culture and way of life can seem like a daunting task, however, gaining this understanding will help you develop a robust action plan to build your business in the region. It can be argued that the intellectual level of a society depends on how adequately that particular society can use its richest knowledge embedded in history and generations past. Furthermore, Nigerians are known for their. Nigerians are generally enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. 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. There is an indefinite number of cultures around the world. With improved learning and health, increased tolerance, and opportunities to come together with others, culture enhances our quality of life and increases overall well-being for both individuals and communities. Importance of culture Nigeria culture plays an important role in lives of separate individuals and the society as the whole. 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 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. The people of this tribe are gifted sculptors. The kora and the kakaki are also important. The Yorubas are a diverse group of people bound together by language, history, culture and a common sense of origin. February 13, 2023 Before looking at the importance and types of culture in Nigeria, its good to know the definition. The cave, has about 10 inner chambers and several tunnels, some of which are interlinked. Expect the first few meetings to be somewhat formal as your Nigerian counterparts continue to become comfortable with you as a person. These environmental regions greatly affect the cultures of the people who live there. Some of their native clothing materials include Aso-oke or Ofi and Adire. This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License. Global Climate Agreements: Successes and Failures, Backgrounder 56 Likes, 1 Comments - Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (@kccnigeria_) on Instagram: "Winners of the KCCN "Introduce Your Korea" Event 5 " ' " Several festivals are celebrated in Yorubaland yearly where the rich culture of the Yoruba people is displayed. The mode of dressing of Yoruba males includes wearing Bubba and Sokoto and also a large flowing gown called Agbada. Their religion, mode of dressing, food, marriage, and language are all unique. [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. In addition, Nigeria is home to an influential music scene, notably Afrobeat, which combines West African music styles with American funk and jazz. a powdered cassava grain that can be readily eaten as a meal and is quite inexpensive. In cities like, Lagos and Port Harcourt traffic is very bad, and it takes skillful scheduling to avoid getting caught in it. To prevent this, it is important to control the formation of cultural values in a society. It explores what is meant by the term 'cultural heritage', while providing examples of same in Nigeria. LESSON 2 - IMPORTANCE/USES OF ART. The Hausa group (majority of them are Muslims) prevail in the northern region of Nigeria. Hotels and nightclubs are part of the landscape of the larger cities. [40][41] Socially, the Igbos are led by monarchs who had limited power historically. Many employ indirect eye contact to demonstrate their respect for the other person. Nigeria scores 60 on this dimension and is thus a masculine society. The Yoruba people live in the southwestern and north-central parts of Nigeria. Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. 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. A little more than half of all Nigerians are of the Christian faith, while most of the rest are Islamic. This number includes 510 living languages, 2 second languages without native speakers and 9 extinct languages. They are well known for their energetic dance steps, colourful attires, and masquerades. Like many other aspects of life, food is a deeply rooted expression of identity, values, and way of life. 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. The Yorubas are fun-loving people and are known for their eye-catching, colourful and rhythmic dance steps. 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. Things arent perfect, but Im grateful for what I have., Factors to be Aware of When Visiting Nigeria for Business. [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. '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. Nigeria was once a British colony, so the official national language is English. Unfortunately, in our country, some subcultures oppose each other which lead to the spread of cultural differences in Nigeria. Prioritize employee satisfaction. It is the sixth largest oil-producing nation and has a well-educated and industrious society. It is basically what makes a person human. 4) Lots of oil, little electricity. 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. [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. The yams can be mashed or fried in oil. In Nigeria, social etiquette transcends common pleasantries and is actually a statement of respect and upbringing. These include Femi Osofisan,[68] whose first published novel, Kolera Kolej, was produced in 1975; Ben Okri, whose first work, The Famished Road, was published in 1991, and Buchi Emecheta, who wrote stories drawn from her personal experiences of gender inequity that promote viewing women through a single prism of the ability to marry and have children. Muslims observe Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and the two Eids. Food is an important part of Nigerian life. Historically, Nigerian fashion incorporated many different types of fabrics. If you're looking for expert help and advice on how to work effectively with Nigerians, then this is what we do! 4. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. 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. 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. Fufu is so emblematic of Nigeria that it figures in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, for example. In literature, Chinua Achebe, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, and, more recently, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have significant readership in the United States. Cultures and indigenous values must evolve bottom-up policies and approaches to growth and development in the country. 6. [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. Yorubas have a strong political system with the Oba at the helm of affairs. Social standing and recognition is achieved through extended families. Such social niceties go a long way since. Four full-color images cover the page, each of the creators and editors of influential culture and fashion magazines based in Lagos. "[67] Nigeria has other notable writers of English language literature. They are extremely tolerant of the languages of other people around them, leading to the suppression of theirs - especially in northern Nigeria by Hausa. Communication commences with polite inquiries into the welfare of the person and his family. Apart from the speakers of standard English, a large portion of the population, roughly a third, speaks Nigerian pidgin, which has a primarily English lexicon. Its an active process, a lifestyle of people which is constantly growing, evolving and mutating. They are fond of the expression, "When Nigeria sneezes, the rest of the African nations (with the exception of South Africa) catch cold.". The Ijaw culture of the South has been influenced greatly by its location on the coast and the interaction with foreigners that it necessitated. Individuals turn to members of the extended family for financial aid and guidance, and the family is expected to provide for the welfare of every member. The people of ancient Nigeria were able to make their own weapons. Always make time to share a tea with people you're doing business with. A complimentary cap called Fila may be added to the dressing. It is common to gaze at the forehead or shoulders of someone they do not know well. Other forms of traditional food include fufu, eba, okra, egusi, and ogbono. They look for the rationale behind behaviour and attempt to understand the context. [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. 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. A gift for the children is always a nice touch. Challenges that include a variety of issues, such as inconsistent electricity, bad roads, and low-quality public transportation. Nigerians typically hold a primary position of employment but are always on the lookout for other opportunities to generate supplemental income. The Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups are said to be one of the largest ethnic groupings in Nigeria, if not the largest, with a population of over 20 million people.The Hausa and Fulani live in the northern part of Nigeria. The number of languages currently estimated and catalogued in Nigeria is 521. It also emphasizes the importance of nature, family and tradition. [86] The men wear buba (long shirt), sokoto (baggy trousers), agbada (flowing robe with wide sleeves) and fila (a hat). This is due to the large number of ethnic groups that exist in the country. 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. The singer and social activist Fela Kuti was instrumental in Nigeria's musical development. 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. Many religions are followed in Nigeria. The most important task for the government is to find ways to unite people, rather than divide them. Due to the ethnic make-up of the country, communication styles vary. Nigeria's culture rooted in fashion, film, music, and literature translates into . Apart from the main three languages, the cultures of other tribes in Nigeria are equally unique and important. At the same time, a harsh tone is considered unwelcoming and even hostile. 3. While that may be a lot of people, population . Women wear long flowing robes and headscarves made by local makers who dye and weave the fabric locally. 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. 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). by Olivia Angelino, Thomas J. Bollyky, Elle Ruggiero and Isabella Turilli 1950 W. Corporate Way PMB 25615, Anaheim, CA 92801, USA.+44 0330 027 0207 or +1 (818) 532-6908, 34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY, UK.1950 W. Corporate Way PMB 25615, Anaheim, CA 92801, USA.+44 0330 027 0207+1 (818) 532-6908. Artefacts stolen from Benin sit on shelves of many foreign museums and in the private homes of foreigners. Nigeria has the largest population on the continent and the third-largest manufacturing sector. The Nigerian Government in September, 1988, launched the "National Cultural Policy". Nigerian People And Culture - All You Need To Know. Dance also has many varieties: Ishan stilt dancers in colourful costumes twist themselves in the air; one Tiv dance, called ajo, features male dancers who work in pairs, and another involves teams of women who perform a dance called icough while composing songs about current events. Although this was a very long time ago, the Ijaws have, however, kept the ancient language and culture of the Orus. Nigeria was once a British colony, so the official national language is English. Nigeria is the seventh-most populous country in the world, home to more than 200 million people. It has the largest population in Africa and the land is endowed with vast quantities of natural resources. Nigeria has a rich culture. Gari (ground cassava), iyan (yam paste), or plantains accompany the soup. Another major Nigerian city is Port Harcourt. Nigerian beans, quite different from green peas, are widely popular. The first wedding is traditional, the second one being in a court, while the third is in the church or the mosque. When employees join a company, they are doing so in return for fair compensation, career development, and various benefits. With so many different cultures and regions, food can vary greatly. Nigerians are generally enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. The culture of Nigeria is shaped by Nigeria's multiple ethnic groups. Art is created serve many purposes, among these are: 1. 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. 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. Friends may address each other in a variety of ways: the title and the first name, the first name alone, the surname alone, or a nickname. 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. The culture of the country is diverse and tends to differ from north to south. Michelle Gavin, Ebenezer Obadare, and other experts track political and security developments across sub-Saharan Africa. 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. The country also has the largest agricultural output and the highest number of cattle. 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. The climate also varies slightly depending on the region. There is a large variety of linguistic and ethnic groups in the country. In Nigeria, the common greeting, How are you doing? is frequently met with a hearty, Fine, thank God!. The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. The fundamental issue here is what motivates people, wanting to be the best (masculine) or liking what you do (feminine). It is a good idea to lower your eyes when meeting someone who is older or more senior. Their chiefs are therefore monarchs and titled individuals, with most of the latter group making up the membership of the Ogboni secret society. 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.