Some Nigerian Peoples: Southern Nigeria – Basic 4 History Lesson Note (Third Term)

Southern Nigeria is home to many peoples, and seven of them are the Yoruba, Edo, Itsekiri, Efik, Ibibio, Isoko and Ijaw.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. Name seven peoples of Southern Nigeria.
2. State where each people live and their main city or town.
3. Describe the main occupations of each people.
4. State what each people are famous for.
5. Compare the peoples of the North and the South.
6. Give reasons why Nigeria’s diversity is good.

Who are the Yoruba people?

The Yoruba are a large people who live mainly in Southwest Nigeria.

• Where they live: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, and parts of Kwara and Kogi.
• Size: one of the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria.
• Language: Yoruba.
• Religion: Christianity and Islam, with some traditional believers.
• Rulers: traditional rulers called Obas.

Yoruba occupations

• Cocoa farming: cocoa is the main cash crop.
• Trading: buying and selling in markets and in business.
• Arts and crafts: wood carving, weaving and pottery.
• Professional jobs: doctors, lawyers and teachers.

What are the Yoruba famous for?

• Traditional religion and festivals: colourful yearly celebrations.
• Bronze and wood art: fine carvings and metal work.
• Talking drums: drums that copy the tones of speech, used in music.
• Culture: rich art, music and traditions.

Who are the Edo people?

The Edo are the people of the ancient Benin Kingdom, living in Edo State in South-South Nigeria.

• Where they live: Edo State.
• Main city: Benin City.
• Language: Edo.
• Ruler: the Oba of Benin.
• Religion: a mix of Christians and traditional believers.
• History: the Benin Kingdom has a history of many centuries.

Edo occupations

• Rubber farming and palm oil production: main farm products.
• Wood carving and bronze casting: skilled crafts.
• Trading: business in towns and markets.
• Crafts: traditional arts.

What are the Edo famous for?

• Benin bronzes: brass and bronze art known around the world.
• Ancient civilisation: a strong kingdom with its own culture.
• Traditional architecture: old palace and building styles.
• Historical heritage: a rich past.

Who are the Itsekiri people?

The Itsekiri are a coastal people living near the sea in Delta State, with Warri as their main city.

• Where they live: coastal areas of Delta State.
• Language: Itsekiri, which is related to Yoruba.
• Ruler: the Olu (king).
• Religion: a mix of Christians and traditional believers.
• Traditional work: fishing and trading.

Itsekiri occupations

• Fishing: catching fish and selling seafood.
• Oil and gas work: jobs in the oil industry.
• Trading: especially coastal trade.
• Boat building: making boats for water transport.

What are the Itsekiri famous for?

• Maritime culture: life and skills linked to the sea.
• Boat building: traditional boat making.
• Coastal trading: skill in trade along the coast.
• Festivals: rich cultural celebrations.

Who are the Efik people?

The Efik are a coastal people of Cross River State, with Calabar as their main city.

• Where they live: Cross River State (South-South Nigeria).
• Language: Efik.
• Early contact: they met Europeans early through trade.
• Education: known for early schools and learning.
• Religion: mostly Christians.

Efik occupations

• Fishing: catching fish from rivers and the sea.
• Palm oil production: making oil from palm fruit.
• Trading: business in towns and ports.
• Education: teachers and other professionals.

What are the Efik famous for?

• Calabar Carnival: a well-known festival.
• Educational advancement: early schools.
• Cultural dances and music: shown at festivals.
• Slave trade ports: Calabar was a port in the historical slave trade.

Who are the Ibibio people?

The Ibibio are the people of Akwa Ibom State, with Uyo as their main city.

• Where they live: Akwa Ibom State (South-South Nigeria).
• Relations: related to the Efik people.
• Language: Ibibio.
• Communities: some on the coast and some inland.
• Religion: Christians and traditional believers.

Ibibio occupations

• Fishing: done in coastal communities.
• Palm oil and palm kernel production: from the oil palm tree.
• Yam and cassava farming: main food crops.
• Raffia palm crafts: weaving and basket making.

What are the Ibibio famous for?

• Traditional masks and art: used in cultural displays.
• Festivals and dances: lively cultural events.
• Basket weaving and crafts: made from raffia and other plants.
• Farming skills: good use of the land.

Who are the Isoko people?

The Isoko are a people of Delta State, with Oleh and Ozoro as main towns.

• Where they live: Delta State (South-South Nigeria).
• Relations: related to other Delta peoples.
• Language: Isoko.
• Religion: Christians and traditional believers.
• Known for: farming, fishing and rich cultural traditions.

Isoko occupations

• Cassava and yam farming: main food crops.
• Palm oil production: sold in local markets.
• Fishing: in rivers and creeks.
• Trading: in local markets.

What are the Isoko famous for?

• Cultural festivals: yearly celebrations.
• Agricultural products: food crops and palm products.
• Community cooperation: people working together.

Who are the Ijaw people?

The Ijaw are the largest ethnic group in the Niger Delta, living in creeks and on islands.

• Where they live: the Niger Delta, in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States.
• Main city: Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.
• Language: several Ijaw dialects.
• Way of life: riverine people who are masters of water transport.
• Religion: a mix of Christians and traditional believers.

Ijaw occupations

• Fishing: they are expert fishermen.
• Canoe making and boat building: needed for travel on water.
• Palm oil and palm wine production: from the palm tree.
• Oil industry jobs: work found in modern times.

What are the Ijaw famous for?

• Canoe culture: great skill on the water.
• Traditional fishing methods: handed down over many years.
• Stilt houses: houses built on poles over water.
• Knowledge of the water environment: rivers, creeks and tides.

What do the southern peoples share, and how do they differ?

The southern peoples share many ways of life, but each has its own language, work and customs.

Similarities

• Environment: they live in forest and coastal areas.
• Work: many practise fishing and farming.
• Culture: rich cultural traditions.
• Rulers: each has traditional rulers such as the Oba and the Olu.
• Religion: mostly Christians, with some traditional beliefs.
• Crafts: known for arts and crafts.

Differences

• Language: different languages and dialects.
• Occupations: different main occupations.
• Customs: different traditional foods and festivals.
• Environment: different places, such as creeks, coast and inland forest.
• History: different historical experiences.

How are the peoples of the North and the South different?

Northern peoples live mostly in savanna and grassland, while southern peoples live mostly in forest and coastal areas.

• Northern peoples: people of the northern part of Nigeria, such as the Hausa and Fulani.
• Southern peoples: people of the southern part of Nigeria, such as those in this note.

Why is Nigeria’s diversity good?

Diversity is good because many peoples bring different skills, foods, festivals and languages to one country.

What we gain

• Skills: different skills and knowledge.
• Food: various foods and cuisines.
• Festivals: rich festivals and celebrations.
• Arts: different arts and crafts.
• Languages: many languages and stories.
• Learning: cultural exchange between peoples.

How do we show unity in diversity?

• One country: one Nigeria with many peoples.
• Respect: respect for all cultures.
• Learning: learn from each other.
• Teamwork: work together for progress.
• Celebration: celebrate our differences.

Evaluation

1. Name five peoples of Southern Nigeria and the state where each lives.
2. Fill in the blanks: _______ people are famous for Benin bronzes, and _______ people are known for the Calabar Carnival.
3. Which people are the largest group in the Niger Delta, and what are they expert at?
4. State two ways in which northern and southern peoples are different.
5. Give two benefits of Nigeria’s diversity.

Answers to the evaluation

1. Any five, for example Yoruba (Oyo), Edo (Edo), Efik (Cross River), Ibibio (Akwa Ibom), Ijaw (Bayelsa).
2. Edo, Efik.
3. The Ijaw. They are expert fishermen and canoe makers.
4. Any two from the table, for example work, environment, religion or rulers.
5. Any two from the list, for example different skills and various foods.

Assignment

Choose one people from Southern Nigeria. Write five facts about them: where they live, their main city, their language, one occupation and one thing they are famous for.