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

Culture is the way of life of a people, and Nigerian cultures are alike in many practices but differ in others.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. define culture;
2. state the similarities among the cultures of Nigeria;
3. give examples of cultural symbols and the names of masquerades in different ethnic groups;
4. state the differences among the cultures of Nigeria, with examples.

What is culture?

Culture is the total way of life of a people, passed from one generation to the next.

• Language: the way a people speak and communicate.
• Dress: the clothes and ornaments a people wear.
• Food: what a people eat and how they prepare it.
• Beliefs and customs: marriage, festivals, greetings, religion and moral values.

What are the cultural similarities among Nigerians?

There are ten main cultural similarities among Nigerians: dance, language, symbols, masquerades, greetings, traditional marriage, markets, inheritance, architecture and traditional medicine.

1. Dance

• Common practice: all cultures in Nigeria use dance for cultural expression and transmission.
• Use: dances are performed at festivals, weddings, funerals and installations.

2. Language

• Common practice: all ethnic groups in Nigeria speak one language or dialect or the other.
• Use: language carries the history, songs, proverbs and values of the people.

3. Symbols

A symbol is an object, colour or sign that stands for an idea.

• Kolanut: a symbol of hospitality among the Igbo.
• Red: a symbol of hostility among the Benin.
• White: a symbol of peace and purity.

4. Spirit manifests (masquerades)

A masquerade is a person in costume who represents an ancestral spirit during special ceremonies.

5. Mode of greeting

• Meaning: greeting is an expression of friendship, respect and welcome.
• Common practice: all cultures in Nigeria greet as a sign of friendship and respect.

6. Traditional marriage

• Meaning: marriage is seen as a union of two communities, not only of two people.
• Bride price: the marriage rites are sealed when the bride price is paid.

7. Traditional markets

• Common practice: every ethnic and cultural community has a traditional market.
• Use: the market is a centre for social and economic exchange.

8. Property inheritance

• Common practice: inheritance is based on the father-child relationship.
• Meaning: property passes from a father to his children.

9. Traditional architecture and settlement patterns

• Court-yard pattern: rooms are built around an open space in the middle of the compound.
• Use: the court-yard is a place for family gatherings and daily activities.

10. Traditional medicine

• Common practice: before modern medicine, all groups made cures from roots, barks, leaves, animals and minerals.
• Use: the cures treated various illnesses.

What are the cultural differences among Nigerians?

There are seven main cultural differences among Nigerians: language, tribal facial marks, dance, dressing, festivals and ceremonies, food and marriage patterns.

Why should Nigerians respect cultural differences?

• Unity: shared practices show that Nigerians have much in common.
• Peace: respect for other cultures reduces quarrels between groups.
• Learning: knowing other cultures helps us to understand our neighbours.

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.
5. Define culture.

Assignment

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