The Nigerian People – Cultures Around The World

This post is specifically made to educated everyone all over the world about the Nigerian people and their culture. People from Nigeria are called Nigerians. The Nigerian people come from an area that is home to more than hundreds of dialects and ethnic groups, which have been mixed as a result of economic circumstances.

As tribal states have given way to a modern nation, the shift has propelled groups to settle in regions well outside their own religious, linguistic, racial, and comfort zones.

Nigeria has more than 500 languages ​​and no fewer than 250 ethnic groups, of which the Yoruba in the west of the country and the Igbo in the southeast are the most prevalent. A little more than half of all Nigerians are of the Christian faith, while most of the rest are Islamic.

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English serves as a common language, used mainly as a means of overcoming communication gaps resulting from the presence of so many languages.

Architecture

Traditionally, Nigerian architecture has been as varied as its demographics. That said, with the changes brought about by the nation’s impressive economic advances, many Nigerian cities are increasingly beginning to resemble Western cities.

The influences on the construction of the Muslim world are much more apparent in the northern parts of the country, where the establishments are still very traditional. Traditional Nigerian houses are built based on their environment.

This construction pattern to meet the needs of the hand is perfectly illustrated in the houses of Ijo, which are built on wooden stilts in order to stand on large bodies of water like rivers, lakes, swamps and streams. These houses are typically made of bamboo and other wood materials joined together using mud and vines.

Nigerian Food

The Nigerian people eating habits have become increasingly influenced by the West, and this is clearly apparent in the presence of frozen, prepackaged and canned items available at any of Nigeria’s western-style grocery stores. Along with these large supermarkets are the many foreign restaurants with American-sounding names, although many are often too expensive for the average Nigerian citizen.

The combination of traditional Nigerian dishes with those of the West favorites has transformed these people’s eating habits, paving the way for a diverse taste in foods as colorful as their many dialects and subgroups.

In rural areas of Nigeria, the hand is still the main “utensil” used to eat, with staple foods remaining like sweet potatoes, yams and corn. These starches are typically ground into thick pastes, then spiced generously with herbs and other spices. Oil-based stews seasoned with chicken, okras, onions and meat are very common side dishes for dishes rich in carbohydrates, while fruits such as mango, orange and banana are favorites for desserts and natural snacks.

Significant culture

With English being the common language of the Nigerian people, Nigerians also speak, read and write in local languages ​​as well, typically Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa, depending on the region of the country. In all of these languages, however, these people are world-famous for their rich and vibrant literature.

Nigerian films are strongly influenced once again by the cinematographic culture of the developed world, and their film industry is known as ‘Nollywood’, which reaches silver screens even in the most conservative and traditional sections of the north of the country.

Like much of the world, football is the most popular sport among Nigerians, with many of their young people dreaming of one day playing professional football at an international level.

Nigerian folk music is itself a fusion, incorporating traditional tribal beats into every form of global music imaginable. A former British protectorate, the southern regions of the country remain closely linked to other English-speaking countries, including other former British colonies in Africa, as well as the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom itself.

The predominantly Muslim north, however, exhibits more cultural affinity with the Arab-speaking world of North Africa and the Middle East.

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Threats

Nigeria’s education system is much more advanced compared to most of its neighboring countries. However, those who are able to do so usually go abroad to study and later work on their chosen careers. This left the talent pool in the country diluted. This is unfortunate, since the country needs all the help it can get and the loss of many of its most brilliant minds has greatly affected its progress and development.

Most of the remaining scientific efforts in Nigeria are managed by outsiders and established by foreign corporations, with the intention of making use of the country’s rich and untapped natural resources.

As with much of the African continent, uncontrolled population growth threatens to push Nigeria’s infrastructure and resources beyond the breaking point. In addition, sectarian violence between tribes and religious groups serves as a real and present danger to the people of the country, especially in the northeastern areas near the borders with Chad, Niger and Cameroon, where the extremist group Boko Haram is most active.

The group seeks to establish a Sunni state in the country governed by Sharia law, and carries out terrorist activities against opposing Islamic factions, especially Izalas, Sufis and Shiites, as well as Christians and those who convey Western cultural values.

More recently, they allegedly joined and were increasingly influenced by ISIS, a similar group operating in the Middle East region. In addition, sectarian violence between tribes and religious groups serves as a real and present danger to the people of the country, especially in the northeastern areas near the borders with Chad, Niger and Cameroon, where the extremist group Boko Haram is most active.