Hey hivers,
This is an entry for the initiative by @theycallmedan. I think it is an interesting thing, and I appreciate him for this. Now let me start by introducing myself.
My name is Patience, also known as Mrs. Pat. I am a Nigerian. I am from Delta State, the Igbo speaking part of the south-south region. I am an educationist, a writer and an extrovert who is very easy to mingle with and interact with people on life issues.
Nigeria is a glorious country in the western region of Africa. This is a country blessed with many natural and unique endowment, and its spread all over the regions, which are the eastern, western, northern and southern regions.
Majorly, Nigeria is a black nation, meaning that most of her citizens are dark in complexion. Our skin colour is wonderful and easy to adapt to most weathers. I love my complexion because of its value. I am not too dark though, but you can call me a brown-skinned woman. Our colour as Nigerians is very easy to maintain, and black is beautiful. All Nations are blessed with one, two or more things.
IGBO
Culture
Different countries have different unique customs and traditions. As Nigerians, our culture is well respected and abided amongst us. In Nigeria, we have three major ethnic groups and over 300 tribes. These ethnic groups are known as Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa. My tribe is not among the famous ethnic groups though, but 90% close to the Igbos.
The Igbo tribe speak the Igbo language. According to their culture, they have their way of greeting. Their greetings vary with time. In the morning they say “Ututu oma”. In the afternoons they say “Ehihe oma “. In the evenings they say “Abali oma “. In my culture, we also greet “Uwoma” as this greeting goes in the morning, afternoon and evening times. I believe my people don’t enjoy stressing themselves with too many greetings. Don’t tag us as lazy.LOL!
Food
As humans, we eat different kinds of food. But some foods are common in some regions than others. In Nigeria, we also have different foods commonly eaten by different tribes.
The Igbos have the food common in their region. Foods like Abacha, which is also known as African salad, made from the raw product cassava. When the tuber of cassava is uprooted it is cut, washed and boiled till it becomes soft. Then it is grated to have the shape of pasta. It is then washed and garnished with palm oil and edible vegetables and dried fish. This meal is normally served on traditional occasions.
Igbos also have unique kinds of soup. E.g. Ogbono, Okazi, Achi, Achara soups, etc. They normally serve them with Akpu [cassava flour] or pounded yam.
Fashion
This is the part that I love the most. Nigerians have many fascinating and beautiful dress codes. Some according to tribes and these designed clothes are always fantastic and varies with different styles according to choices, (Male and Female).
The Igbo tribe also has the clothes they wear traditionally. The men wear materials called “Isiagwu” which is sown as bogus shirts, worn on trousers with caps on their heads (red-coloured caps especially). They also wear some traditional Lion skin clothes which are tied around their waist or wrapped in between their legs. This attire is mostly worn for wrestling.
Their women as well dress in the wrapper and a blouse. Their wrappers are made from quality textile materials like hollandaise wrapper and costly lace sown as a blouse. The young ladies also dress in maiden attires mostly made from gorge materials. They tie these materials as wrappers tied across their chest and around their waist. These dresses are also combined with beads as necklace and earrings, which makes them look so gorgeous.
Events/ Festivals
Events are another interesting part of cultural and traditional activities. In Nigeria, we have various events and festivals common in some parts.
The Igbos have some entertaining festivals where they showcase their masquerades called Mmanwu. They use them on different occasions like festival period, Christmas celebrations, Easter, etc. The biggest masquerade amongst Igbos is called Ijele and so respected in the Igbo culture. The masquerades are dressed in colourful robes, and masks made from wood and fabrics. They dress differently to be able to identify themselves. They have both the visible and the invisible masquerades. The visible ones are normally used for events and the invisible ones are used as securities in the night to scare away intruders. So, most masquerades have different purposes.
The Igbo culture has a cultural festival called New Yam festival, which is the Iri Ji or Iwa Ji. It is usually held during the rainy season in the month of August. At this time most Igbos travel down to their hometown to celebrate with their loved ones.
It is always a joyful experience for the Igbos every year to celebrate the New Yam festival called Iri Ji. They cook all delicacies with yam just to honour that cultural heritage.
These are the most common cultural lifestyle in the Igbo Land.
Wedding
They call their marriage ceremonies Olulu di na nwanyi. The maiden on this day is decorated and beautified. It is considered as one of their best day in life. They sing traditional songs as they escort them to their husband. And that is after the requirement has been fulfilled.
YORUBA
The Yorubas are situated in the western region of Nigeria with their unique culture. The language is known as Yoruba. Greetings- they have their ways too.
In the morning hours, they greet “Ekaro”. Afternoon, “Ekasun”, Night “Ekale”. One thing I admire in their culture is how they express much respect in morals, especially the way they greet.
Their men always prostrate or lie down flat on the floor when greeting their elders. While their women kneel on the floor and greet their elders. They normally use some pleasantries to express their respect and love for each other.
Food
The Yorubas also have their cultural food. These kinds of food are known to be their traditional food. They include Ofada rice, it’s natural and un-parboiled. It’s usually cooked and served with sauce, and it is very delicious.
They also have Gbegiri soup, which is made with beans and could be called Beans soup. Efo riro, (vegetable soup) it is combined with a different species of vegetables. Ewedu soup is made with a green leave, Molokai. Most compactable with Amala (yam flour). These varieties of soup are combined with different foodstuffs to make a complete meal e.g. Lafu (cassava flour) which is made from cassava.
Iyan (pounded yam). They are prepared in a swallowable form and it is combined with the above varieties of soup to make a complete yummy meal. They also have other meals Akara (beans cake), Moimoi (beans pudding) these are generally eaten as Nigerian meals.
Fashion
The Yorubas have very good looking and glamorous dresses\attires which are worn on different occasions and ceremonies.
The Yorubas cloth and dresses are mostly made out of woven materials called Aso oke. Their clothes are made based on genders. Their men’s wear is called Agbada and Sokoto. It is worn in a prestigious manner. For occasions e.g. marriage ceremonies and different occasions in their land. They look so wonderfully dressed in it. Their dress is incomplete without fila (cap) it makes their dress look more cultural gorgeous.
Their women dress in Buba (top of which is their blouse) and wrapper (iro) with the same woven materials mostly Aso oke and textile with gele (headgear). Sometimes both gender dress in lace material in a combination of cap and headgear made from Aso-oke while the women drop a flowing piece of Aso-oke on their shoulder.
Their women also use varieties of hand coral beads and some gold to beautify themselves during ceremonies and occasions, and it gives them amazing looks.
Festivals
Eyo festival is the most popular festival in Yoruba and majorly celebrated in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Eyo is a decorated masquerade which comes out during the festival. This festival is normally observed as the escort of the souls departed from Lagos chief or king to usher in the new one.
Ogun festival is also a Yoruba festival celebrated annually by the people of Ogun state. Also, the Oro festivals generally observed in the Yoruba’s natives. During these festivals, all women and non-natives are supposed to remain indoors as they are not allowed to participate. This ceremony differs from one villages town to another. It is always observed after the death of a monarch. These make up the uniqueness of Yoruba culture.
OTHER FESTIVALS
There are many other interesting festivals observed by Nigerian people at different times and different places, to mark different occasions, e.g.
- Ijaw festival
- Calabar carnival
- Ofala festival celebrated by Onitsha people in Anambra state
- Agungu festival (fishing festival) which takes place in Kebbi state and more...
HAUSA
The Hausa also have their language, which is reflected in their greetings. In the morning they greet “Nakwana”, Afternoon is “Ina Wuni”. While evening is “Barka da ya nma”. Both men and women squat while greeting and remain on the spot until they are through. It is expressed interestingly.
The Hausa has varieties of dishes which are flour made, e.g. Tuwo masara, tuwo shinkafa with their tribal called mia e.g. mia kuka.
They also have food like Masa made from corn paste, Awara made from soya milk. They are well prepared to make a sweet and enjoyable meal.
Fashion/Event
The Hausa marriage is mostly based on Islamic, and not time-consuming and expensive like Igbo and Yoruba. The Hausa marriage events are called Aruwa. On this day they are well dressed in their cultural attire. Their hands, feet and nails are designed with colouring material, Lali. They used to cover their female skin in other to make them look more beautiful.
Festival
Hausa festivals include Durbar festival. This festival is an annual festival celebrated by Hausas. It is normally used to mark the end of Ramadan as well as Eld el Kabir and Eld el Fitri. Before this festival begins, they pray and follow their Emir’s parade with his entourage on horses accompanied with music which they normally end at the Emir’s palace.
Conclusion
My country is gifted with many other things, which makes Nigeria unique and amazing. To mention a few are the natural resources like crude oil, coal, ore, limestone, gold, which are widely spread in different areas of the country. Our resources are collectively coordinated by the federal government, to manage the affairs and development of the country in general.
Nigerians are also creative. We are very intelligent and also like to make new things happen. We also have an amazing history of nice artworks.
In Nigeria, we have different craftmanship. We crave stone, wears and different types of glasswork. Our culture is diversified, unique, accommodating and amazing. This makes us a great nation where people would love to come and experience life in another dimension. I love my country so much. And I am proud to be a Nigerian.
Thanks for reading guys!
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