In the article, author Adenike Olanrewaju describes the emergence of publications Genevieve Magazine, Exquisite Magazine, Todays Woman, and Glam Africa. This is why gaining an understanding of Nigerian culture is so crucial to your business success in the Nigerian market. 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. [40][41] Socially, the Igbos are led by monarchs who had limited power historically. Wait for a woman to extend her hand first. With an increasingly cosmopolitan elite, Olanrewaju writes, luxury brands are eager to establish firmer footholds there. Although all of these magazines discuss the latest fashion trends, some also choose to take on taboo issues such as drug abuse and domestic violence. Expect the first few meetings to be somewhat formal as your Nigerian counterparts continue to become comfortable with you as a person. While that may be a lot of people, population . Nigeria is a multiethnic country in Northern Africa. This article presents a high-level introduction to Nigeria's cultural heritage. Families gather to celebrate births and weddings. The word "Ubinu" was used to depict and portray the royal administrative centre or capital proper of the kingdom, Edo. 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. The rationale behind these weddings is that the union needs to be recognized by religion, the law, and by tradition. Music is used to celebrate rulers and to accompany public assemblies, weddings and funerals, festivals, and storytelling. The Yoruba language has several versions of it spoken by different units within this ethnic group. Other clothing gear includes a gele, which is the woman's headgear. Accelerate your innovation and transformation with a fully integrated suite of capabilities that puts digital at the heart of everything. 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. Some of these festivals include Odun Olojo, Iwude, and Osun-Osogbo amongst many others. Tribal marks used to be widely popular amongst Yorubas but that culture is fast washing out amongst modern Yoruba descendants. by Lindsay Maizland 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. It is used for communication. 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. It is said that it was at Ife that the gods descended from heaven and created the world. Other traditions include the mother-in-law helping the daughter-in-law after giving birth and younger men going for apprenticeships with older and wealthier men. Regardless of the countrys developmental struggles, Nigerians enjoy interacting with their community. Because so many Nigerians live outside the country, funerals for non-Muslims are often delayed for a month or more to allow all the family members to make plans to return home. They may raise their voices even more and become emotionally excited when they feel passionately about a topic. They look for the rationale behind behaviour and attempt to understand the context. In addition, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, and Naija Invest Gateway, provide real-time information on the Nigerian business culture. They believe that embedding humour in their message guarantees that what they say is not readily forgotten. Successful Nigerians, such as businessmen and the said politicians, typically themselves aspire to the holding of chieftaincies, and the monarchs' control of the honours system that provides them to them serves as an important royal asset. Make a point of studying any business card you receive before putting it into a business card holder. In fact, over 250 languages and dialects are used across Nigerias 36 states. Any attempt to bypass this protocol will hamper your business success. The Okays make up 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5% and Tiv 2.5%. Nigerian People And Culture - All You Need To Know. 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. Investing in your people is an investment in a healthy culture, and so it follows that a lack of investment is one of the biggest cultural risk factors. Minority ethnic groups live throughout the nation although higher concentrations of these groups live in the northern and the middle regions of Nigeria. [citation needed] The first Igbo in the region may have moved onto the Awka-Orlu plateau between four and five thousand years ago. When employees join a company, they are doing so in return for fair compensation, career development, and various benefits. Descending into the valley is a lengthy walkway of 317 steps, which were constructed by the state government. 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. Can culture exist without society? Michelle Gavin, Ebenezer Obadare, and other experts track political and security developments across sub-Saharan Africa. [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. One way that Nigeria is unique is through its heritage. The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. They may smile to mask their true feelings, especially when disappointed or confused. Nigerians are generally enterprising, resilient, and enthusiastic people. As its name indicates, Port Harcourt is another port city that also hosts an international airport. 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. Nigeria is the seventh-most populous country in the world, home to more than 200 million people. Vast wealth has been generated by it, and it is currently the second-largest film industry in the world by output. A little more than half of all Nigerians are of the Christian faith, while most of the rest are Islamic. Violation of these laws will lead to certain sanctions that are established by the community and are supported by the power of public opinion. Gifts should be given using the right hand only or both hands. The Yorubas are fun-loving people and are known for their eye-catching, colourful and rhythmic dance steps. 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. Being the first to find a settlement in the Lower Niger and Niger Delta, it is possible that they may have started inhabiting this region as far back as 500 BC. The fundamental issue here is what motivates people, wanting to be the best (masculine) or liking what you do (feminine). Nigeria's vibrant popular culture reflects great changes in inherited traditions and adaptations of imported ones. 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 overwhelming majority, with the exception of Tiv, profess the Muslim religion. Daily life in Nigeria varies based on location, and whether you reside in the city or rural areas. Silk (called tsamiya in Hausa, sanyan in Yoruba, and akpa-obubu in Igbo) is also used. However, none of the states in southern Nigeria allow this practice. The climate also varies slightly depending on the region. Age is believed to be the main wisdom of the nation. [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. [52] The Yoruba people are believed to have migrated from the east to their present lands west of the lower Niger River more than a millennium ago. The Igbo ethnic group most produce and trade in oil, cocoa and rubber. The terra-cotta figurines of the Nok are some of the earliest statues in existence from sub-Saharan Africa. Music and dance are integral to Nigerian culture, and each ethnic group has its own specialties. Nigerian music is enjoyed throughout Africa. Fufu is so emblematic of Nigeria that it figures in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, for example. "[67] Nigeria has other notable writers of English language literature. The Yoruba language is pleasing to the ear as it places a lot of emphasis on intonation. The official language of Nigeria, English, was chosen to facilitate the cultural and linguistic unity of the country post-colonization by the British. Food is an important part of Nigerian life. Trading, local crafts, and wage labour also are important in the Igbo economy, and a high literacy rate has helped many Igbo to become civil servants and business entrepreneurs in the decades after Nigeria gained independence. 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. Their logic is often contextual. Very direct eye contact may be interpreted as being intrusive unless there is a longstanding personal relationship. Stay up to date on the latest insights we have to offer. Nigeria is a hierarchical society. 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. However, pidgin English and indigenous languages are also spoken throughout the country. In masculine countries people "live in order to work", managers are expected to be decisive and assertive, the emphasis is on equity, competition and . Photo by IITA (CC BY-NC 2.0). People in urban regions of Nigeria dress in western style, the youth mainly wearing jeans and T-shirts. 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. Photo by Muhammadtaha Ibrahim Ma'aji on Unsplash. Apart from the main three languages, the cultures of other tribes in Nigeria are equally unique and important. Yams are frequently eaten either fried in oil or pounded to make a mashed potato-like yam pottage. 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. Success, like in any other culture, is important to Nigerias citizens and is greatly revered in Nigerian culture. The most important task for the government is to find ways to unite people, rather than divide them. The women wear their hair in native styles such as Suku. 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In cities like, Lagos and Port Harcourt traffic is very bad, and it takes skillful scheduling to avoid getting caught in it. Social standing and recognition is achieved through extended families. In Nigeria,majority of parents are stack illiterates .They neither attend religious schools nor western type of institutions. It is a good idea to maintain a polite and somewhat reserved manner until the person you are meeting drops some of his formality. The women tie wrappers called Abaya and wear blouses, head ties, shawls, and hijabs. Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. with Ivan Kanapathy, Bonny Lin and Stephen S. Roach 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 Kanuri people[12] are located in the northeast part of Nigeria, the Tiv people[13] of north central and the Efik-Ibibio[14] are in the south south. Muslims observe Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and the two Eids. The number of languages currently estimated and catalogued in Nigeria is 521. 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. If the information has changed, have new cards printed. 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 group (majority of them are Muslims) prevail in the northern region of Nigeria. November 4, 2022 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. Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. 4) Lots of oil, little electricity. Movie theatres, showing mostly Indian and American films, are popular among the urban middle- and low-income groups. The climate in Nigeria is typically hot, ranging from 28 38 degrees Celsius depending on the time of the year. 5. Culture regulates the behavior of a person in his family, school, at work, home, etc., by putting forward a system of prescriptions and prohibitions. That the Igbos were prospering long before the colonial masters came The Igbo-Ukwu culture's place in Nigerian history also demonstrates that the indigenous inhabitants of Nigeria had a stable way of life and were prospering long before the arrival of the colonial rulers. Dance for the Ubakala shows their value system, helps resolve conflicts, and also institutes change. Their traditional religion, Ifa, has been recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral tradition of Humanity. Daily life in Nigeria varies based on location, and whether you reside in the city or rural areas. Nigerian cities tend to be highly populated as many people flock to urban environments for better employment opportunities. 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. Culture In Nigeria Essay. The region is well-known for its hospitality, cuisine and music. Various other minor ethnic groups make up the rest of the country. Discover w. This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License. They are well known for their energetic dance steps, colourful attires, and masquerades. This ethnic group is well known for their colourful but modest dress due to their strong religious beliefs. 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. Gari (ground cassava), iyan (yam paste), or plantains accompany the soup. 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. As a developing country, Nigeria faces challenges regarding its infrastructure. Another major Nigerian city is Port Harcourt. Make certain that your title is prominently displayed. Since the southern part of the country is closer to the coasts, the climate tends to be more humid and tropical, while the northern part of Nigeria tends to be more arid and dry. [53] They eventually became the most urbanized Africans of precolonial times. Families are a crucial aspect of Nigerian society and are typically larger than in the west. The three main ethnic groups are the Yorubas of South Western Nigeria, the Igbos of Eastern Nigeria and the Hausa/Fulani ethnic group which dominates the North. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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 return the most senior person has the responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interest of the group. To read more about the Nigerian management style, click here. Nigerian literature and its emerging figures were themselves the subject of a Times piece in November 2017. Never write on your business card. Different generations of Nigerians are closely connected due to their culture. These environmental regions greatly affect the cultures of the people who live there. 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. They have been able to preserve their cultural practices over time as a result of their strong native system of government. 5. For instance, "How you dey" means "How are you". Kanuri, Fulani, and Hausa peoples are a majority in the north region of Nigeria. Age is believed to confer wisdom so older people are granted respect. Music and art are important aspects of everyday life in the Hausa/Fulani and they are well known for the Dubar celebration. Global Health Program, Higher Education Webinar: Teaching the History of American Democracy, Webinar The Igbo political system isnt strong which explains why they are not a politically strong unit within the Nigerian system. Gifts should be wrapped, although there are no cultural taboos concerning paper colour. Culturally, Nigeria is like a coat of many colours. Rice is eaten throughout the country, and in the north grains such as millet and wheat are a large part of the diet. Many dishes are flavoured with onions, palm oil, and chilies. 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. 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. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! 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. Smiling and showing sincere pleasure at meeting the person is important. These are also important aspects of our culture. Igbos are mostly farmers, traders, and craftsmen. [39] Their traditional religion is known as Omenani/Omenala. The Yoruba people live in the southwestern and north-central parts of Nigeria. This may take as long as two hours for an initial meeting. It is used for commemoration. One of the main features of culture in Nigeria is its hierarchical system. [56], Ever since the country's earliest centralization - under the Nokites at a time contemporaneous to the birth of Jesus Christ - Nigeria has been ruled by a class of titled potentates that are known as chiefs. 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. Always wait until invited before using someones first name. Nigeria has the largest population on the continent and the third-largest manufacturing sector. In cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt traffic is very bad, and it takes skillful scheduling to avoid getting caught in it. Things Fall Apart,[61] by Chinua Achebe, is an important book in African literature. Culture creates favorable opportunities for acquiring knowledge and physical development. The highest position Nigeria ever reached on the ranking was 5th, in April 1994. Nigeria is the most populous African country, and also amongst the top 10 most populous countries in the world with approximately 195 million people. 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]. Annual Lecture on China: Frayed RelationsThe United States and China, Virtual Event The early mosques built by men of this tribe were bright and colourful often including intricate engravings and elaborate designs. This attention comes after increased international consumption of Nigerias hugely popular film industry, Nollywood, which is already well-established across the African continent. 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). You are also agreeing to our. Prioritize employee satisfaction. The number of ethnic groups and dialects stand at more than 1,150. We're helping multinational clients adequately prepare to thrive in the African market. The traditionally nomadic Fulani can be found all over West and Central Africa. The Yoruba culture is rich and unique drawing comparison with no other culture around. Communication commences with polite inquiries into the welfare of the person and his family. 6. This then ended up playing a significant role in the social life and culture of the Hausa people. Therefore, culture serves as a social memory for mankind. Weekly. Nigeria's most important. Some of their native clothing materials include Aso-oke or Ofi and Adire. Use the honorific title plus any academic or professional title and the surname. More than 250 ethnic groups can be found in Nigeria today, each of which has its own traditions and customs. Meat is also popular and Nigerian suyaa barbecue-like roasted meatis a well-known delicacy. For men their traditional cap is called fila. The principal exports are palm oil and palm kernels. Although this militant activity concerns the entire nation, these groups primarily impact the northeast region of Nigeria. The women wear a puffed sleeved blouse, two wrappers and a headwrap. These figures are expected to confer subordinate titles upon men and women that are highly accomplished. Hotels and nightclubs are part of the landscape of the larger cities. The women wear wrappers and shirts and cover their heads with hijabs (veils).[89]. 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. Similarly a family's honour is influenced by the actions of its members. [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. The country has over 50 languages and over 250 dialects and ethnic groups. For example, the cassavas can be ground up and the flour used to make a delicious and inexpensive porridge. In Nigeria, there are more than 500 languages that are spoken. 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. 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. Nigeria culture plays an important role in lives of separate individuals and the society as the whole. C.V. Starr & Co. Nigerians are very religious and spiritual people. Nigeria's rich cultural heritage boasts of huge eclectic and colourful festivals that are full of rhythm, brilliant colours, fun and great pace. The Ijaws were originally known by this name (Oru); at least it was what their immediate neighbours assumed them to be. 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. Japanese culture places great value on respect, honor, discipline and personal growth. Prior to conducting business in a foreign country, understanding the countrys cultural landscape, people, beliefs, and cultural nuances are imperative. Other forms of traditional food include fufu, eba, okra, egusi, and ogbono. 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. Funerals are also times when the family gathers. . Their origins are steeped in great traditions of religious obeisance, traditional games, folklore, dance and drama. They tend to examine behaviour in its total context, not merely what they have observed. Anywhere you find yourself in the Nigerian territory, you will meet a unique group of people who are set in their ways and would blow your mind away with their ways of life.
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