With around 250 ethnic groups, Nigeria boasts an extensive and diverse array of traditions and customs that shape the lives of its people. While many of these traditions share similarities with those found in other parts of the world, several unique practices stand out. This article explores some of these distinctive Nigerian customs.
Map of Nigeria with its Diverse Ethnic Groups
Pre-Marital Introduction Ceremonies, aka “Courtship”
No matter how long you’ve been courting your partner, the relationship remains unrecognised until the formal introduction ceremony. The introduction ceremony traditionally takes place in the bride-to-be’s family home, where her fiancé’s family comes to pay their respects and "state their intentions." After the bride-to-be’s family accepts the official proposal, both families share food and drinks, marking the beginning of the wedding process.
These days, however, introduction ceremonies are as good as one of the three wedding ceremonies that Nigerians usually observe.
Three Weddings
Nigerians are generally expected to have three different wedding ceremonies: the traditional wedding, the court wedding, and the church/mosque wedding. Depending on the region, the traditional wedding may involve bride price negotiations, symbolic flogging, mass prostrations, wine carrying, and the picking out of the spouse from a line of veiled women.
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That way, a couple’s union has been recognised by the provisions of Nigerian traditions, religion, and civil law. All three weddings also involve feasting, so couples need to be financially prepared for this as well.
Thus, a couple's union is recognized by Nigerian traditions, religion, and civil law. All three weddings also involve feasting, requiring couples to be financially prepared.
Omugwo (After-Birth Care)
Extremely significant among the Igbos, but also widely practiced across other Nigerian tribes is omugwo. The Yorubas call it “Itoju omo”, Igalas call it “Iwagwala-oma”, and the Annangs, “Umaan”.
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. The nursing mother is not required to lift a finger as everything is done for her-including bathing the baby, massaging the new mother’s tummy, performing household chores, cooking special meals such as peppersoups, and so on.
If a mother-in-law is unavailable for an omugwo, the woman’s own mother or a close relative can take up the mantle. Omugwos are a thing of pride and so symbolic that they have been known to cause quarrels among family members over who is most capable of caring for the nursing mother and her new baby. Omugwos last for at least three months.
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Nwaboy (Servicehood/Apprenticeship)
The Nwaboy method of apprenticeship is prominent among Nigeria’s Igbo people. It is seen as way to spread wealth among kinsmen.
This tradition requires that a young boy/man leaves his family home with an older, rich relative or family friend (who is usually an established businessperson) for “training”. During this training, the apprentice is entrusted with various tasks ranging from mundane errands to coordination and supervision, and they are exposed to the world of business transactions. Oftentimes, valuables are put in his care.
At the end of his training, he is given his “freedom”-a tidy sum to start a business and sustain himself and his family.
Igbo Apprenticeship System in Nigeria: Imu Ahia
“Sunday Rice”
Sunday rice is a weekly fixture in most Nigerian homes. For others, just the pure joy of preparing the delicacy and sharing it with the family or neighbours does the magic. The anticipation of the traditional dish after church services makes every Sunday complete for some.
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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.
Child Dedication Ceremony
This is separate from the important child-naming ceremony commonly practiced in parts of Africa. At the naming, the baby’s immediate and extended family gather to give it names, particularly ones that will determine how prosperous it would be in life and such. However, like child-naming ceremonies, child dedications’ prominence also cut across different religious faiths.
The purpose of a dedication is essentially to thank god for the baby’s presence and present it as a loyal servant.
Spraying Money
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.
Greeting Elders
In Nigeria, social etiquette transcends common pleasantries and is actually a statement of respect and upbringing. Several things go into greeting an elder in Nigeria, including ethnic background and gender. For example, 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.
This is regardless of where or the number of times younger people have seen their elders that day. Another traditional form of greeting in Nigeria is one that’s done after meals. In some homes, the more elders that are present, the more thank yous are expected from younger guests.
Looking ‘Fresh’ on Your Wedding Day
Only Nigerian brides understand how crucial it is to fill out their clothes nicely and glow on their wedding day. The extent of happiness and well-being of the bride is practically expected to be physically viewed in how healthy and radiant she looks by the time her wedding day rolls around.
In the past, this was achieved in fattening rooms. Fattening rooms originated among the Efik, and they were created to prepare girls for womanhood and marriage through several rituals and rites. One tradition involved waiting on her around the clock and doing everything possible to make her gain weight and portray affluence.
These days, however, gaining weight is no longer the goal, and women just stick to ensuring they look as ‘fresh’ as possible by going to the spa, avoiding stressful or strenuous tasks, eating right, and resting.
Right Hand Only
Nigerians see it as a sign of disrespect and disgusting to greet, eat, hand over, or collect things from people with your left hand unless you’re left-handed or have no right arm. And even then, it might be difficult to be granted exemption from the rule. It’s worse when the person you extend your left hand out to is older than you are.
Nigerian Literature
Nigerian literature is known throughout the world. Wole Soyinka, who won the 1986 Nobel Prize for Literature, was the first Black African to receive the award.
Other Nigerian writers with a worldwide audience include Chinua Achebe, Buchi Emecheta, Flora Nwapa, Amos Tutuola, Gabriel Okara, Kole Omotoso, John Pepper Clark, Ben Okri, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Nigerian Music and Dance
Music and dance are integral to Nigerian culture, and each ethnic group has its own specialties. Traditional instruments include various types of flutes, trumpets, musical bows, xylophones, and wooden clappers, as well as many varieties of drums.
Music is used to celebrate rulers and to accompany public assemblies, weddings and funerals, festivals, and storytelling. At one time the Edo of the kingdom of Benin distinguished between urban music that was performed at the palace and less complex music that was played in rural areas.
Dance also has many varieties: Ishan stilt dancers in colourful costumes twist themselves in the air; one Tiv dance, called ajo, features male dancers who work in pairs, and another involves teams of women who perform a dance called icough while composing songs about current events.
Ekiti Yoruba dancers wear head masks so heavy that they can do only processional dances. The Hausa, who do not consider dancing to be an art, divide their dances into the categories of social dancing and ceremonial bòorii dances.
Nigerian contemporary music, which combines Western popular music with indigenous forms, has been exported throughout the world and has had wide influence. Notable musicians include King Sunny Ade, who performed in a style called juju that combines the sounds of several guitars, vocals, and talking drums; and the politically charged Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, whose music is characterized by short songs and extended instrumental pieces.
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Pioneer of Afrobeat Music
Family as a Central Institution
Whether in urban or rural areas, the family is the central institution. Families gather to celebrate births and weddings. Funerals are also times when the family gathers.
Because so many Nigerians live outside the country, funerals for non-Muslims are often delayed for a month or more to allow all the family members to make plans to return home.
Nigerian Cuisine
Food is an important part of Nigerian life. Seafood, beef, poultry, and goat are the primary sources of protein. With so many different cultures and regions, food can vary greatly.
In the southern areas a variety of soups containing a base of tomatoes, onions, red pepper, and palm oil are prepared with vegetables such as okra and meat or fish. Soups can be thickened by adding ground egusi (melon) seeds. Gari (ground cassava), iyan (yam paste), or plantains accompany the soup.
Rice is eaten throughout the country, and in the north grains such as millet and wheat are a large part of the diet. Beans and root vegetables are ubiquitous. Many dishes are flavoured with onions, palm oil, and chilies.
Nigerian Holidays
Nigerians celebrate several holidays throughout the year, including Independence Day (October 1), Workers Day (May 1), and various Christian and Islamic holidays.
Celebrating Nigerian Independence Day
