NIGERIAN CUSTOM AND TRADITION
Nigeria is often described as a country of unity in
diversity. This description probably stems from the fact that the country is
made up of over 400 linguistic groups, three principal religions, a multiple of
socio-political opinions and organisations and varying from weather and climatic
conditions between the North and the South.
Nigeria boasts of a plethora of customs and traditions,
cultures and festivals, that would appeal to the tastes of the average tourist.
(In the Northern States of the country, the customs, cultures and traditions of
the people who are mainly Hausa/Fulani, Nupe, Kanuri, Igalaand Tiv are governed
by the Musfim religious traditions).
Most of the festivals held
in these areas, such as the Durbar in Katsina and Kaduna States, are associated
with religious celebrations. The Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State
which has over the years acquired international recognition, is however removed
from traditional religious celebrations.
The Northern States of Nigeria, especially Sokoto, Kebbi,
Jigawa, Kano, Yobe, Borno, Katsina and Kaduna are semi-desert and so experience
little rain within the year. The weather is generally hot during the day and
cold during the night through most of the year. The common dress in these
States is the Babanriga, a large, flowing top over large trousers. The dominant
dress colour is white.
The major means of transport, from time, and as in case in
other semi desert and desert areas are the camel, the donkey and horse. The
horse, most of the times, is bred for the purpose of traditional and religious
festivals such as the Durbar when they are dressed in very flamboyant colours
and attires as active participants. In these Northern States, education, the
judicial system and other institutions are influenced by the muslim religion.
They practice the sharia (taken from the Koran) system of justice, education
begins with learning Arabic and reading the Koran.
Western education has however gained much ground here with
the establishment of the Ahmadu Bello university, Zaria, Kaduna State in 1962.
It is arguably the largest university in Africa. Other
universities in the North include University of Maiduguri (Bomo), Uthman Dan
Fodio University (Sokoto), Bayero University of Science and Technology, Bauchi. In what is described as the Middle Belt
in Nigeria are the States of Niger, Kogi, Benue, Adamawa, Taraba and Plateau.
Plateau State and its capital of Jos remain the tourist
capital of the whole of Northern Nigeria. The State boasts of a temperate
weather, a number of rising Plateau and a near-rural population
that boasts of the largest concentration of foreigners among the States of the
North. Add to this list the quiet environment of the University of Jos, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru and
the National Museum that depicts the cultures and traditions of several
Nigerian nationalities.
The commonest language in use in the Northern States
is Hausa. The Western States of Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Edo constitute the
most developed axis in the country The people, who are united almost by a
single language, Yoruba, also constitute the most articulate of the Nigerian
populace.
In the area of religion, the West is divided. Less than 20
percent are Muslims. About 60 per cent are Christians while the other 20 percent are traditional worshippers of other gods such as Osun and Ogun.
Traditional worship is very popular in the Western States so that some have
been turned into festivals in Osogbo, Osun State.
The West is equally highly educated and industrialised.
Nigeria's Premier University, the University of lbadan, Oyo State was
established in 1948. There are also the Universities of Lagos and Benin (Edo
State), the Obafemi Awolowo University (Ile-ife, Osun Sate) the Lagos State University
and the Edo State University in Ekpoma. The area also boasts of the highest
number of other educational institutions.
Their traditional institutions are highly reverred with all
traditional activities revolving around the Obas of lfe, Benin and Lagos, the
Alafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of lbadan, the Ataoja of Osogbo among others. Being
highly educated, most of the citizens are paid civil servants are involved
in private business. There is not much of rural life as in parts of the North
but the people still sustain and guard their traditional institutions,
exploring their commercial potentials on the international scene.
The Yorubas, who are very colourful and extravagant in their
dressing, are symbolised by the buba and ashoke that closely resemble the
Northern Babanriga. Notable festivals include chieftaincy installations, the
Osun festival (Osogbo, Osun State) the Eyo masquerade (Lagos State) beside
others.
In the East and South Eastern States of Nigeria, Christians
make up over 96 per cent of the entire populations. These states, together,
have the largest concentration of churches, which range from the orthodox to
the pentecostal, in the country.
The States located in this region are Abia, Anambra, Akwa
lbom. Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Imo and Rivers. In the four states of Abia,
Anambra, Enugu and Imo, the primary language of communication is lgbo. In Akwa-
lbom State, the major languages are Ibibio and Anang. In Rivers State the major
languages are ljaw, Kalabari, lkwerre, lgbani, Kirike and Ogoni. In Cross River
State the main language is Efik while in Delta State the main languages include
lgbo, Itsekiri, Urhobo and Kwale.
In as much as languages vary in this area, cultural and
traditional norms and dress modes are very similar. Traditionally, the eastern
and south-eastern women dress in simple, double wrappers, a blouse and a head
tie to match. The men traditionally dress in flowing wrappers or trousers under
a flowing, large shirt with cap to match.
The indegenes of these states, like their western
counterparts, are equally highly educated and are mainly employed in trade and commerce. The area boasts of the University of Nigeria,
Nsukka (Enugu State) Nigeria's first indigenous university, the University of
Port Harcourt and the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (Port
Harcourt, Rivers State); the Federal University of Agriculture, Urnudike; Abia
State University (Uturu, Abia State); Imo State University (Owerri); University
of Calabar (Cross River State); University of Uyo (Akwa lbom State); Nnamdi
Azikiwe University (Anambra State); Enugu State University of Science and
Technology and a host of others. Cultures, traditions and festivals in these
States come as much as the languages.
In Anambra and Enugu States, there are the Manwu festival;
in Abia State there are the Ekpe festival, the Ekpe masquerade and the Iri ji
(New yam) festival. In Akwa lbom and Cross River States, there are the Ekpo,
the eKpe masquerades and cults. In Rivers State, there are the Nwaotam and Ekine
masquerades and cults. The traditional institution of the Eastern and South
Eastern States suffered a great deal as a result of the European intervention.
Today, however, the traditional institution is re-emerging from colonial
mentality. Eze have re-emerged in lgboland with pomp and pageantry, giving room
for new yearly traditional celebrations of Ezeship (Kingship), Amanynabos today
still rule Kalahari, ljaw, Okrika and Opobo kingdoms of Rivers State providing avenues for
cultural activities all year round.
In Cross River and Akwa lbom States, the Obongs still evoke
the cultural richness of the indigenous people. Most importantly, the Eastern
and South Eastern States especially Rivers, Delta and Abia States, provide the
entire nation with over 90 per cent of national revenue. This is because the
area is rich in oil which has attracted a lot of investment from within and
outside the country.
During this phase also
other writers like Ben Okri and Niyi Osundare left behind their marks. Majority
of the popular Nigerian literary works derive their inspiration from the events
that led to the achievement of independence in Nigeria.
NIGERIAN ART
A comprehensive analysis of the Nigerian art and culture
gives you a glimpse of the prevalent stone carvings, potteries, different forms
of glass work and wood carvings.
The bronze works at Igbo-Ukwu, which falls in
the Enugu State stands tall of the ancient works of Nigerian art. The Igbo-Ukwu
bronzes, with intricate designs, are well known as Ife works. Famous places
like Benin and Awka are regarded as hub of wood-carving, wood carvers have
flourished all over southern Nigeria since time immemorial, making figures for
temples, representations of the spiritual image of earth, sea, sky, water, fire
and thunder. Excavations of pottery received a great boost with the tireless
effort of Dr. Ladi Kwali, who promoted his works through the European countries
and widely enhanced the art of pottery making in Nigeria.
The major centers of
pottery making in Nigeria are-- Okigwe in Imo State and Suleja situated in
Niger State. Another prominent craft work of Nigeria is cloth weaving.
The
popular cloth weaving centers of Nigeria are-- Abia State, Oyo State and Okene
in Kogi State
conclude that the
rhythms and dance steps of modern dances are products of African music and
dance. There are different types of dances. From acrobatic dance groups that
are available for feature performances, workshops, festivals, and dance lessons
to more subtle dancers that perform during mourning.
The dance steps are
coordinated and integrated art of movement which is controlled by the rhythm of
music. Nigerian traditional dance tends to express situations, emotions,
sentiments, and beliefs. Each particular dance has a linkage to human
activity. It is a manifestation of human existence. In most regions of
Nigeria, dances signify important occasion in the community, such as birth,
harvest, thanksgiving, success, etc. Every experience in the culture is
translated into music and dance. Dancing is a major source of
entertainment in traditional Nigerian society.
The type and style of dance movements are dependent on the
musical instruments. Traditional Nigerian dance troupes mostly utilize
indigenous musical instruments. Drums, African talking drums, flute, Shekele,
Picolo etc. are common musical instruments. Other modern musical
instruments are also common. Traditional Nigerian music has made
significant contributions to modern music. Music and dance remain the
soul of Nigerian culture.
FOLK DANCE
Nigerian dance is a subset of the African dance culture. It is very dynamic, rich and magnetic phenomenon. It is not easy to classify all Nigerian dances. Music and dance are part of life of every Nigerian native from cradle to grave. The day you are born is celebrated and so is the day you die. We can safelyconclude that the
rhythms and dance steps of modern dances are products of African music and
dance. There are different types of dances. From acrobatic dance groups that
are available for feature performances, workshops, festivals, and dance lessons
to more subtle dancers that perform during mourning.
It is extraordinary aesthetic and adventurous to see
native Nigerians perform their dances. Their dance steps and gestures are
agile, graceful, admirable, and elegant. They are distinguished by unrivalled
charm and harmony in the lines of both torso and limbs.
The dance steps are
coordinated and integrated art of movement which is controlled by the rhythm of
music. Nigerian traditional dance tends to express situations, emotions,
sentiments, and beliefs. Each particular dance has a linkage to human
activity. It is a manifestation of human existence. In most regions of
Nigeria, dances signify important occasion in the community, such as birth,
harvest, thanksgiving, success, etc. Every experience in the culture is
translated into music and dance. Dancing is a major source of
entertainment in traditional Nigerian society. The type and style of dance movements are dependent on the
musical instruments. Traditional Nigerian dance troupes mostly utilize
indigenous musical instruments. Drums, African talking drums, flute, Shekele,
Picolo etc. are common musical instruments. Other modern musical
instruments are also common. Traditional Nigerian music has made
significant contributions to modern music. Music and dance remain the
soul of Nigerian culture. NIGERIAN LITERATURE
Towards the middle of 20th century, the Nigerian literature
in English witnessed a rapid expansion and gained impetus when the Nobel Prize
for Literature was awarded to Wole Soyinka in 1986.
During this phase also
other writers like Ben Okri and Niyi Osundare left behind their marks. Majority
of the popular Nigerian literary works derive their inspiration from the events
that led to the achievement of independence in Nigeria.
The cosmopolitan night life of Nigeria also attracts many
tourists from different parts of the world. The popular tourist spots of
Nigeria offers delicious multi-cuisine foods along with traditional Nigerian
dishes.
Thus, the art and culture of Nigeria represents the varied
aspects of Nigerian life style.
