Nigerians definitely know how to turn up. With around 250 ethnic groups, Nigeria has an extensive and diverse list of traditions and customs that Nigerians live by. Weddings, Birthdays and even funerals (when older people transition) are a celebration of life.
Birthday celebrations give you a sense of joy and a peace of mind especially when you celebrate them among your beloved fellows and relatives. Every year, you feel more grown, mature and wise. The birthday celebrations that you come across all over the world are all diverse and have something distinct in them that make them exceptional.
Nigerians have an extremely different and interesting way to celebrate their birthday parties. They believe in inviting about a hundred guests or more than hundred guests on their parties to make it a time for a big celebration for them.
But our parties are THE BEST. Nigerian birthdays, weddings, memorials (yes, even those) are events to be at. We’re a flashy people so we definitely take them the extra mile.
Here are some of the unique Nigerian traditions and customs.
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Surprise Birthday: Experience the Vibrancy of Nigerian Culture and Tradition
Unique Birthday Traditions and Customs
Aso Ebi: Dressing the Part
Aso means clothes. Ebi means family in Yoruba Language. So Aso Ebi is literally family clothes. Aso Ebi is when family and close friends of the celebrant wears the same fabric.
The Fila and Gele are made from different fabric than the clothes itself. The fila/gele is for the head. For younger women, the fabric is used to sew any style your soul desires. Men sew a fitted waist long shirt with long trousers/pants. Younger men typically go without the Agbada and simply rock this. Older men are usually seen with an ‘Agbada‘.
Aso Ebi is a popular way to celebrate unity and family at Nigerian parties.
Music and Entertainment
Typically, a live band according to the celebrant’s taste is present. For younger celebrant, a DJ is also there for when the life band is done.
Gift Giving
The celebrant and others usually pass out gifts to thank people for coming.
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Spraying Money: A Shower of Appreciation
Certain people attend ceremonies in Nigeria just to partake in this interesting practice. At grandly-organised weddings, burials, child naming or dedications, and birthdays, people-regardless of financial status-come forward while dancing to rain money on those on the dance floor.
Of course, only crisp notes are encouraged. Reasons for the act (or art) of spraying money include portraying the social status of those being celebrated, showing how much they are appreciated, and a basic show of flamboyance and affluence. Spraying money is such a symbolic feature in Nigerian ceremonies that an Ijaw bride won’t smile until she’s been sprayed.
Spraying money is a common sight at Nigerian celebrations.
When people dance at Naija parties, they get sprayed money. What do I mean by “spray?” I mean, people literally make it rain on your head. We were the original folks that made it rain, while others make it drizzle lightly. Everyone comes to a formal Naija party with purses and pockets full of singles because you have to spray people as they dance.
The people who are throwing the party get sprayed the most though. They get sprayed so much that they usually need 2-3 people designated to picking up their money from the floor. This can end up meaning they take 3-4 trashbags FULL of money home.
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I ain’t gon lie. I may go to a party and not feel like dancing. But let the spraying start, best believe I’m 2-stepping my way to the dance floor and doing some jigs. I danced for 10 minutes once and walked away with $50.
Food
A roasted cow or a goat is served with some special ingredients such as peppers, onions, sweet potatoes, rice, tomato and cassava to make it more delicious. All these things make up a dish called “Jollof rice”.
Sunday rice is usually plain-white rice and stew (made with tomatoes and pepper) with chicken, beef, or fish. However, on special occasions, it could be jollof, fried, concoction, or any other variation of cooked rice.
Jollof rice is a staple dish at Nigerian celebrations.
Party Duration
LITERALLY. Nigerian parties are known to last until 6 or 7am. This is typical.
Other Unique Customs
Here's a brief overview of some other traditions:
- Pre-Marital Introduction Ceremonies: The introduction ceremony traditionally takes place in the bride-to-be’s family home. Her fiance’s people come to the house to pay their respects to her family and “state their intentions”. After the bride-to-be’s family accepts the official proposal, both families share food and drinks.
- Three Weddings: Nigerians are expected to have three different wedding ceremonies. The first one is the traditional wedding. Then come the court and church/mosque weddings. That way, a couple’s union has been recognised by the provisions of Nigerian traditions, religion, and civil law.
- Omugwo (After-Birth Care): After a mother gives birth to her baby, her mother-in-law comes to the home to take care of the new mother and her. Omugwos last for at least three months.
- Nwaboy (Servicehood/Apprenticeship): This tradition requires that a young boy/man leaves his family home with an older, rich relative or family friend for “training”. At the end of his training, he is given his “freedom”-a tidy sum to start a business.
- Child Dedication Ceremony: The purpose of a dedication is essentially to thank god for the baby’s presence and present it as a loyal servant.
- Greeting Elders: Certain tribes require a female to kneel on the floor or curtsy to greet an elder, while males are expected to prostrate, squat, or bow completely to the ground.
- Right Hand Only: Nigerians see it as a sign of disrespect to greet, eat, hand over, or collect things from people with your left hand unless you’re left-handed.
