Traditions of Origin of Various Groups – SS1 Nigerian History Lesson Note (First Term)

Citizenship in the cultures covered here means more than belonging to a community. It means taking responsibility for others and working together for the common good. Each group expresses it differently, for example through communal work, the hajj, the yam festival, respect for elders and care for the family or community.

Behavioural objectives

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

• explain what citizenship means in the Karembu, Kanuri, Hausa, Nupe, Igala, Jukun, Ife, Oyo and Benin cultures;
• name one important practice of citizenship in each of these cultures;
• state the duties expected of a good citizen in the Kanuri, Nupe, Ife, Oyo, Igala, Jukun and Benin cultures;
• describe the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Efik, Ibibio, Urhobo, Igbo and Idoma peoples, their languages and common foods.

What is citizenship in these cultures?

There is a rich tradition of citizenship in the Karembu, Kanuri, Hausa, Nupe, Igala, Jukun, Ife, Oyo and Benin cultures. The idea of citizenship goes beyond simply being a part of a country or community. It is about having a sense of responsibility to others and working together for the common good.

Each of these cultures has its own way of expressing citizenship. This note looks at some of the most important aspects of citizenship in these cultures.

How is citizenship expressed in each culture?

Karembu

Citizenship in the Karembu culture is about being an active member of the community. It is not enough to simply live in the Karembu village; one must also take part in its life. The most important way to do this is by participating in the karam, or communal work. This could be anything from helping to build a new hut to planting crops.

Everyone in the village is expected to contribute to the karam, and it is one of the most important aspects of Karembu citizenship.

Kanuri

The Kanuri also have a strong sense of citizenship. For the Kanuri, citizenship is about being part of a larger community. The Kanuri people are spread out across several countries, and they see themselves as part of a larger Kanuri nation. Citizenship for the Kanuri means working together to promote the welfare of all Kanuri people, no matter where they live.

In the Kanuri culture, citizenship is also about being a good person. The Kanuri people believe that everyone has the potential to be a good citizen, regardless of their social status. The most important thing is to live according to the teachings of Islam. This includes being honest, fair and just in all interactions with others. Kanuri citizens are also expected to help those in need, and to care for the environment.

Hausa

The Hausa also have a rich tradition of citizenship. The Hausa people are spread out across many countries in Africa, and they see themselves as part of a larger Hausa nation. Citizenship for the Hausa means working together to promote the welfare of all Hausa people, no matter where they live. The most important way to do this is by participating in the hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Every year, thousands of Hausa people make the hajj, and it is one of the most important aspects of Hausa citizenship.

The Hausa tradition of citizenship is based on the idea of service to the community. Hausa citizens are expected to use their talents and skills to benefit others. This could be anything from teaching children to farm to helping build houses. The most important thing is that Hausa citizens should always be ready to help those in need.

Nupe

The Nupe also have a strong tradition of citizenship. The Nupe people are spread out across several countries in Africa, and they see themselves as part of a larger Nupe nation. Citizenship for the Nupe means working together to promote the welfare of all Nupe people, no matter where they live. The most important way to do this is by participating in the yam festival. Every year, the Nupe people celebrate the yam harvest with a huge festival. The yam festival is one of the most important aspects of Nupe citizenship.

The Nupe tradition of citizenship is based on the idea of being a good steward of the land. The Nupe people believe that it is our responsibility to take care of the land and its resources. This includes protecting resources wisely. Nupe citizens are also expected to share their knowledge and skills with others so that everyone can benefit from the land.

Igala

The Igala also have a rich tradition of citizenship. The Igala people are spread out across several countries in Africa, and they see themselves as part of a larger Igala nation. Citizenship for the Igala means working together to promote the welfare of all Igala people, no matter where they live. The most important way to do this is by participating in the Ekpe, or secret society. The Ekpe is a very important part of Igala life, and it is one of the most important aspects of Igala citizenship.

In the Igala culture, citizenship is also about being a good member of the family. The Igala people believe that it is our responsibility to take care of our families and to help them prosper. This includes working hard to provide for the family and being there for them in times of need. Igala citizens are also expected to show respect for their elders and uphold the traditions of their culture.

Jukun

The Jukun also have a strong tradition of citizenship. The Jukun people are spread out across many countries in Africa, and they see themselves as part of a larger Jukun nation. Citizenship for the Jukun means working together to promote the welfare of all Jukun people, no matter where they live. The most important way to do this is by participating in the yam festival. Every year, the Jukun people celebrate the yam harvest with a huge festival. The yam festival is one of the most important aspects of Jukun citizenship.

The Jukun tradition of citizenship is also based on the idea of being a good member of the community. The Jukun people believe that it is our responsibility to take care of our community and to help it prosper. This includes working hard to provide for the community and being there for them in times of need. Jukun citizens are also expected to show respect for their elders and uphold the traditions of their culture.

Ife

The Ife also have a rich tradition of citizenship. The Ife people are spread out across many countries in Africa, and they see themselves as part of a larger Ife nation. Citizenship for the Ife means working together to promote the welfare of all Ife people, no matter where they live. The code is a very important part of Ife life, and it is one of the most important aspects of Ife citizenship.

In the Ife culture, citizenship is also about being a good member of the tribe. The Ife people believe that it is our responsibility to take care of our tribe and to help it prosper. This includes working hard to provide for the tribe and being there for them in times of need. Ife citizens are also expected to show respect for their elders and to uphold the traditions of their culture.

Oyo

The Oyo also have a strong tradition of citizenship. The Oyo people are spread out across many countries in Africa, and they see themselves as part of a larger Oyo nation. Citizenship for the Oyo means working together to promote the welfare of all Oyo people, no matter where they live. The most important way to do this is by participating in the ekun iyawo, or bride’s price ceremony. The ekun iyawo is one of the most important aspects of Oyo citizenship.

In the Oyo culture, citizenship is also about being a good member of the kingdom. The Oyo people believe that it is our responsibility to take care of our kingdom and to help it prosper. This includes working hard to provide for the kingdom and being there for them in times of need. Oyo citizens are also expected to show respect for their elders and uphold the traditions of their culture.

Benin

Benin also has a rich tradition of citizenship. The Benin people are spread out across many countries in Africa, and they see themselves as part of a larger Benin nation. Citizenship for the Benin means working together to promote the welfare of all Benin people, no matter where they live. The most important way to do this is by participating in the voodoo festival. The voodoo festival is one of the most important aspects of Benin citizenship.

The tradition of citizenship in Benin is also based on the idea of being a good member of the community. The Benin people believe that it is our responsibility to take care of our community and to help it prosper. This includes working hard to provide for the community and being there for them in times of need. Benin citizens are also expected to show respect for their elders and to uphold the traditions of their culture.

Who are the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Efik, Ibibio, Urhobo, Isoko, Igbo and Idoma?

Ijaw

The Ijaw (also spelt Izon) are a collection of people in the Niger Delta who speak various dialects of the Ijaw language. The mainstay of the Ijaw diet is yam, cocoyam and shellfish. Other food items include fruits, vegetables, beans and cereals.

Itsekiri

The Itsekiri (also spelt Isekiri) are a Yoruba subgroup inhabiting the western Delta region of Nigeria. The Itsekiri language is very similar to Yoruba but with some loanwords from Portuguese and English. Common food items include yam, cassava, starch, owo soup, plantain, cocoyam and beans.

Efik

The Efik (also spelt Effik) are a subgroup of the Ibibio people of southeastern Nigeria. The Efik language is closely related to Ibibio but with some loanwords from English and French. Common food items include yam, cocoyam, plantain, beans and cassava.

Ibibio

The Ibibio (also spelt Eebebio) are a collection of people in southeastern Nigeria who speak various dialects of the Ibibio language. The mainstay of the Ibibio diet is yam, cocoyam and plantain. Other food items include fruits, vegetables, beans and cereals.

Urhobo

The Urhobo are a subgroup of the Edo people of southern Nigeria. The Urhobo language is closely related to Edo but with some loanwords from English and French. Common food items include yam, cocoyam, plantain, beans and cassava.

Igbo

Igbo (also spelt Ibo) are a collection of people in southeastern Nigeria who speak various dialects of the Igbo language. The mainstay of the Igbo diet is yam, cocoyam and plantain. Other food items include fruits, vegetables, beans and cereals.

Idoma

The Idoma are a people of central Nigeria. The Idoma language is closely related to Igala but with some loanwords from English and French. Common food items include yam, cocoyam, plantain, beans and cassava.

Evaluation

1. What does citizenship mean in the cultures studied in this lesson?
2. What is the karam, and why is it important in Karembu citizenship?
3. Which practice is the most important expression of citizenship for the Hausa, and which for the Nupe?
4. List the duties expected of a good citizen in the Kanuri culture.
5. Name the Itsekiri’s language relative and two common Itsekiri foods.

Assignment

Choose any two of the cultures in this note. For each, write a short paragraph on the practice that is most important to its citizenship and the duties expected of its citizens.