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Introduction
Nigeria is a large society and its culture constitutes multiple sub cultures, each bearing different value
systems (Kashim, 2013). There are over 371 tribes in Nigeria. The impact of western culture is
dominant throughout the country (Ogbonna, 2010). For the purpose of this assignment, we have
briefly discussed a few aspects that are general to the Nigerian culture and a few aspects that are
particular to one of the three dominant cultures of Nigeria the Igbo culture, Yoruba culture and
Hausa culture.
General Material Culture
Clothing is part and parcel of human life as well as an important aspect of a countrys material
culture. The common woven fabrics in Nigeria are Etu, Alari, Sanyan, Fuu and Waka.
Unique to Nigerias culture is Akwete cloth - hand woven textile produced in Igbo land, Akwete.
Akwete cloth is produced in colorful designs for both genders. Not more than three or four motifs are
used simultaneously on the Akwete cloth, however the weavers in Akwete claim to know over a
hundred different motifs. Some motifs are prepared only for the royalty whereas some motifs are
prepared as a talisman to guard warriors going to battle or to protect women in pregnancy (Kashim,
2013).
In almost all traditional Nigerian cultures, jewelry is very significant for adornment (Kashim, 2013).
Various materials are used for making jewelry. These include beads, plant seeds, cowries, annual
bows, leather, stone, ivory, bronze, silver, carved stone, bone, animal teeth, animal hair, egg shells,
wood, amber and glass (Adesanya, 2010). The Yorubas create ornaments with complex symbols and
designs to show their status and beliefs. Beads can represent temperament, empowerment, desire,
wealth, and well-being. When threaded together beads stand for unity and togetherness (Williams,
2012).
The talking drum (see Exhibit 1), which is sometimes referred to as Dundun - a double membrane
hourglass-shaped tension drum has significance in the Nigerian culture. It is used in activities such as
ritual performances, burials, marriages, as a source of information for kings and villagers and for
communication in heralding a visitors arrival (Kashim, 2013).
General Non-material Culture
Many religions are followed in Nigeria and the constitution guarantees religious freedom. Christianity
and Islam are the dominant religions in the region. All over Nigeria, the traditional religious have lost
a significant part of their followers to Christianity and Islam over the past few years (Kalu, 2011).
Aside from the Christian, Islamic and other religious festivals, important festivals in Nigeria are
Argungu Fishing festival, Calabar carnival, Eyo festival and Osun festival (Williams, 2012).
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The Eyo festival is celebrated only in Lagos. Costumed dancers known as the masquerades (see
Exhibit 11) come out during the festival and are referred to as Eyos. The main highway in the city is
closed to traffic on the Eyo day for the procession. The purpose is to pay homage to the reigning Oba
(King) of Lagos. This festival is usually held when a highly regarded chief of the kings court dies.
The events date is announced one week in advance. The senior Eyo group, which is identified by a
black hat, goes public always on a Sunday indicating that the Eyo festival will start on the following
Saturday and will continue for the next four days. Some items for instance, motorcycles and sandals,
are prohibited during the festival. The masquerades beat the people who are seeing using these
(Williams, 2012).
Elements of Culture
1. Symbols
Nigeria is a multicultural land and therefore, the meaning of various symbols differs from one
region to another. However, some symbols are used widely and have the same meanings
throughout Nigeria (Williams, 2012).
When someone sees an acquaintance or a friend in the street, they beckon one another
by sucking the lips and making a hissing or kissing sound (Center for Intercultural
Learning).
Nigerians often wink at their children if they want them to leave the room when
guests are visiting (Williams, 2012).
Pushing the palm of the hand forward with the fingers spread is vulgar and should be
avoided (Lasky, 2013).
2. Language
According to Ethnologue, 521 languages are spoken in Nigeria (Lewis, Gary, Charles, 2013).
The official language of Nigeria is English. However, English is mostly used by the urban
elite. The other major languages are Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Ibibio, Edo, Fulfulde, and Kanuri
(Yeotan, 2011).
3. Values
Nigerians value religion very much. Indigenous African culture perceived religion as an
integral part of life rather than an independent institution. Due to this, there are no atheists in
traditional Nigeria. Both African and European authors have established that in general
Africans find it impossible to exist without religion (Ogbonna, 2010).
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Nigerians give great value to hospitality and believe it is a part of service to humanity.
Nigerians, in general receive foreigners with affection. Moreover, in some part of Ibo land, it
is considered a taboo to reject a visitor even if you have never seen the person before
(Ogbonna, 2010).
Other important values in Nigerian culture are value for old age and value for community life
and value for family oneness (Ogbonna, 2010).
4. Beliefs
Many traditional religions believe in spirits. In Yoruba culture, the angelic spirits are called
Orishas. Nigerians design and wear many ornaments to protect against evil spirits (Karade,
1994).
All Nigerians, regardless of the religion believe that the body should return to the Earth and
therefore they bury their dead. The traditional religions, especially ones of the eastern tribes,
believe in reincarnation. In some tribes, people believe that when someone dies, they come
back as a member of their mother's or sister's family. In such tribes, there are several in-depth
ceremonies to prepare the body for burial. Steps are taken to prevent a disability of this life
from passing on to the next life of that person. A blind man may have a slave made of special
leaves placed on his eyes or an infertile woman may have her abdomen cut to prevent these
disabilities from passing on to the next life (Levy, 1995).
5. Norms
Nigerians give or receive things only with the right hand because the left hand is reserved for
personal hygiene. For the same reason, it is also considered inappropriate to eat with the left
hand. However, it is acceptable to use forks and knives with both hands (Williams, 2012).
It is a norm in Nigeria for friends of a specific participant in a wedding to wear the same type
or design of cloth. Friends of the brides mother may wear one type of cloth and the friends of
grooms mother may wear another. These clothes or uniform is referred to as Aso Ebi (see
Exhibit 7). Aso Ebi means cloth for kin. (Ogunyemi, 1996).


Conclusive Remarks
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Nigerias culture is very diverse and so is its heritage. Despite this diversity, it is evident through the
material culture, non-material culture and elements of the culture that people all over Nigeria give
significant value to traditions and beliefs. The fact that Nigerias official language is English indicates
that the countrys culture has been significantly impacted by westernization. However, the majority of
Nigerians still ritualistically observe the traditions, but more so in a westernized way (see Exhibit
9).
















References
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