Nigerian Culture

Cultures and Traditions of Nigeria

In a country as vast and ethnically diverse as Nigeria, it goes without saying that she is endowed with a rich multicultural heritage dating back 2000 years. The Nok Terra Cotta and the Igbo Ukwu for example discovered by archaeologists indicates that Nigerian people had a well developed artistically based civilization even in the early times.
The country has a population of over 100 million and growing at a rate of 2.5 to 3% It is made up of three main ethnic groups who have totally different languages, the Hausa, Ibo, and Yoruba. Other groups exit such as the Fulani, Efik to mention a few. In all there are more than 250 ethnic groups, languages and dialects.

In Nigeria greetings are important and highly valued. The people believe in politeness and cheerfulness when exchanging greetings. Children are taught to greet their elders whenever they see them and may face serious reprimand if they forget or fail to do so. When visitors come to a household, it is customary for the parents to call the children to greet the visitors even if the latter are playing outside.
People say "hello" and "good morning" often in English. Guests may show up at someone's home unannounced and yet still be welcomed.

The dress code varies accordingly to areas and culture but personal appearance is important to the people. The people are not generally influenced by western cultures when it comes to their clothing since many Nigerians still wear their traditional clothing on a day-to-day basis. Traditional men's clothing is loose and comfortable with the shirt extending to the knees.
The Yoruba men generally wear the traditional agbada which is a combination of trousers and a free-flowing robe sometimes made up of embroided areas.
Women's clothing also consist of loose comfortable clothing comprised of a head scarf, blouse and long cloth wrapped around their waists that extend to the ankles called a wrapper. Nigerian fabrics usually have bright colors and unique patterns.
In Nigeria you are either a Muslim (40%-mostly north), Christian (50%-south and east) or in the 10% that follow traditional African belief systems. The Nigerian people identify themselves first with their ethnicity, secondly their religion and then nationality.

Since Nigeria is multicultural, gestures differ from one place to another. They don't necessarily mean the same thing as they do elsewhere. For example, the thumbs up sign is a vulgar sign in some parts as is extending your arm to someone and spreading your five fingers very wide towards the direction of their face. This is an insult to them.
In addition to gestures, Nigerians pass objects with the right hand or both hands but not with the left. Giving something to someone with the left hand is considered improper.

Nigerian arts and culture can be seen in its many museums. Artists and performers have also exported Nigerian culture to many parts of the world, such as The National Performing Troupe which was set up in 1986. Nigerians are truly a proud people of their rich heritage which includes not only dance but drama, music, oral traditions, philosophy, rites, rituals and fashion.

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