Cultural Similarities and Differences Among Nigerians – JSS1 Social Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Nigerians share many cultural practices, including dance, language, symbols, masquerades, greetings, traditional marriage, markets, inheritance, architecture and traditional medicine. They also differ in language, tribal facial marks, styles of dance, dressing, festivals and ceremonies, food and marriage patterns. This note lists both the similarities and the differences among Nigerian cultures.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• state the similarities among the cultures of Nigeria;
• give examples of cultural symbols and the names of masquerades in different ethnic groups;
• state the differences among the cultures of Nigeria.

What are the cultural similarities among Nigerians?

1. Dance: All cultures in Nigeria make use of dance for cultural expression and transmission.
2. Language: All ethnic groups in Nigeria speak one form of dialect and language or the other.
3. Symbols: Symbols are common expressions in all cultures in Nigeria. For example, kolanut is used as a symbol of hospitality among the Igbos, red is a symbol of hostility to the Binis, while white is a symbol of peace and purity.
4. Spirit manifests (masquerades): All ethnic groups and cultures in Nigeria make use of spirit manifests for special ceremonies and events in the community. The Igbos call masquerades “Mmanwu”, the Yorubas call them “Egungun”, the Tivs call them “Kwaghir”, the Efiks call them “Ekpe”, while the Ibibios call them “Ekpo”.
5. Mode of greeting: Greeting is an expression of friendship, respect and welcome among people. All cultures in Nigeria greet as a sign of friendship and respect.
6. Traditional marriage: Traditional marriage in Nigerian cultural society is regarded as a union of communities, not only of two people. The marriage rites are sealed when the “bride price” is paid.
7. Traditional markets: Every ethnic and cultural community in Nigeria has and makes use of traditional markets, as they are the centre for social and economic exchange.
8. Property inheritance: All ethnic cultural groups in Nigeria practise an inheritance system based on the father-child relationship.
9. Traditional architecture and settlement patterns: The patterns of traditional architecture among ethnic cultural groups in Nigeria include the court-yard pattern.
10. Traditional medicine: Before the invention of modern medicine, all the ethnic cultural groups in Nigeria made use of traditional roots, barks, leaves, animals and minerals to produce cures for various illnesses.

What are the cultural differences among Nigerians?

1. Language
2. Tribal facial marks
3. Styles of traditional dance
4. Patterns of dressing
5. Traditional festivals and ceremonies
6. Food patterns
7. Traditional marriage patterns

Evaluation

1. State the similarities of cultures in Nigeria.
2. State the differences of cultures in Nigeria.
3. Give two examples of cultural symbols and say what each one stands for.
4. Name the masquerade among the Igbos and the one among the Ibibios.

Assignment

List five similarities and five differences among the cultures of Nigeria.