Revision – Culture, Custom And Tradition Basic 2 English Studies Lesson Note

Learning Objectives

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

1. Examine his/her culture
2. Identify cultural differences within the community
3. Discover the basic components of culture

Content

Understanding Culture, Custom, and Tradition

What is Culture?

Culture is the way of life of a group of people. It includes everything that makes a community special and unique – their beliefs, practices, language, food, clothing, celebrations, and values that are passed down from parents to children.

Think of culture as:

• The “recipe” for how a group of people live
• The special things that make your community different from others
• The traditions and customs your family teaches you
• The way your people have lived for many, many years

What are Customs?

Customs are the usual ways that people in a culture do things. They are the practices and behaviors that most people in a group follow because “that’s how we do things here.”

Examples of customs:

• How people greet each other
• What people wear for special occasions
• How families celebrate important events
• The way people show respect to elders
• What foods people eat at festivals

What are Traditions?

Traditions are special customs that have been passed down from grandparents to parents to children for many years. They are practices that families and communities continue because they connect us to our history and ancestors.

Examples of traditions:

• Stories that grandparents tell their grandchildren
• Special songs that families sing together
• Ways of celebrating holidays and festivals
• Ceremonies for important life events
• Traditional games and dances

Examining Your Own Culture

Personal Cultural Identity

FAMILY CULTURE

Questions to explore your family culture:

• What language(s) does your family speak at home?
• What special foods does your family cook?
• What stories do your grandparents tell?
• How does your family celebrate birthdays?
• What traditional clothes does your family wear?
• What values (like honesty, respect, kindness) does your family teach?

ETHNIC/TRIBAL CULTURE

Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups, each with unique cultures:

Major ethnic groups include:

• Yoruba (Southwest Nigeria)
• Igbo (Southeast Nigeria)
• Hausa-Fulani (Northern Nigeria)
• And many others (Tiv, Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio, etc.)

Each group has:

• Traditional languages
• Traditional clothing styles
• Traditional foods and cooking methods
• Traditional music and dance
• Traditional ceremonies and festivals
• Traditional crafts and art

RELIGIOUS CULTURE

Nigeria has diverse religious practices:

• Christianity (various denominations)
• Islam (Sunni and other branches)
• Traditional African religions
• Other faiths

Religious culture includes:

• Places of worship (churches, mosques, shrines)
• Religious holidays and celebrations
• Prayer practices and rituals
• Religious clothing and symbols
• Religious music and songs
• Religious teachings and values

REGIONAL CULTURE

Different regions of Nigeria have different cultural practices:

Northern Nigeria:

• Desert and savanna landscape influences culture
• Emphasis on cattle rearing and farming
• Traditional emirates and kingdoms
• Arabic influence in language and culture
• Traditional architecture with mud buildings

Middle Belt:

• Agricultural communities
• Mix of northern and southern influences
• Diverse ethnic groups and languages
• Traditional farming festivals

Southern Nigeria:

• Forest and coastal influences
• Trade and commerce traditions
• Colonial influence in cities
• Traditional fishing communities
• Palm wine and other local traditions

Basic Components of Culture

Component 1: LANGUAGE

Language is how people communicate in a culture

Types of language in culture:

• Spoken language: What people say in daily conversation
• Written language: How people write and record information
• Body language: How people use gestures and expressions
• Ceremonial language: Special words used in rituals and ceremonies

In Nigeria:

• Official language: English (used in schools and government)
• National languages: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba
• Local languages: Over 500 local languages spoken
• Pidgin English: Simplified English mixed with local languages

Component 2: FOOD AND CUISINE

Food culture includes what people eat and how they prepare it

Nigerian food culture:

• Staple foods: Rice, yam, cassava, plantain, maize
• Popular dishes: Jollof rice, pounded yam, egusi soup, suya, akara
• Cooking methods: Boiling, frying, roasting, steaming
• Eating customs: Using hands, sharing from common bowl, hospitality to guests
• Festival foods: Special dishes for celebrations and holidays

Component 3: CLOTHING AND DRESS

Traditional and modern clothing reflect cultural identity

Types of clothing culture:

• Daily wear: What people wear for regular activities
• Traditional wear: Special cultural clothing for ceremonies
• Religious wear: Clothing required or preferred for worship
• Festival wear: Special outfits for celebrations

Examples in Nigeria:

• Yoruba: Agbada, dashiki, gele, buba and iro
• Igbo: Isiagu, wrapper and blouse, red cap
• Hausa: Babban riga, hijab, turban
• Modern: Western-style clothing, school uniforms, work clothes

Component 4: ARTS AND CRAFTS

Creative expressions that reflect cultural values and history

Traditional Nigerian arts:

• Sculpture: Wood carving, bronze casting, terra cotta
• Textiles: Adire, kente, handwoven cloth
• Music: Traditional drums, flutes, string instruments
• Dance: Cultural dances for ceremonies and celebrations
• Pottery: Clay pots, decorative ceramics
• Beadwork: Traditional jewelry and decorations

Component 5: CELEBRATIONS AND FESTIVALS

Special events that bring communities together

Types of celebrations:

• Religious festivals: Christmas, Eid, traditional festivals
• Harvest festivals: Celebrating successful farming seasons
• Life cycle events: Naming ceremonies, weddings, funerals
• National holidays: Independence Day, Democracy Day
• Cultural festivals: Celebrating ethnic heritage and traditions

Examples of Nigerian festivals:

• Durbar Festival (Northern Nigeria)
• Osun Festival (Yoruba culture)
• New Yam Festival (Igbo culture)
• Argungu Fishing Festival (Hausa/Fulani culture)

Component 6: BELIEFS AND VALUES

What people consider important and true

Common Nigerian values:

• Respect for elders: Listening to and honoring older people
• Community solidarity: Helping neighbors and working together
• Hospitality: Welcoming guests and strangers
• Family loyalty: Supporting and caring for family members
• Hard work: Valuing effort and dedication
• Education: Believing in the importance of learning
• Religious faith: Trusting in God or spiritual beliefs

Cultural Differences Within the Community

Understanding Diversity

ETHNIC DIVERSITY

Even within one community, people may come from different ethnic backgrounds:

• Families may have moved from different parts of Nigeria
• Intermarriage creates mixed ethnic heritage
• People maintain connections to multiple cultures
• Children learn about different traditions

Example: In Lagos, you might find:

• Yoruba families who have lived there for generations
• Igbo families who moved for business opportunities
• Hausa families who came for trade
• Families with mixed ethnic heritage
• International families from other countries

RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY

Communities often include people of different faiths:

• Christian families of various denominations
• Muslim families with different practices
• Families practicing traditional religions
• Families with mixed religious backgrounds

Respect and tolerance:

• Learning about different religious practices
• Participating respectfully in community events
• Understanding that different doesn’t mean wrong
• Finding common values across religions

ECONOMIC DIVERSITY

People in the same community may have different economic situations:

• Some families have more money, others have less
• Different types of jobs and occupations
• Various levels of education and opportunities
• Different access to resources and services

Building understanding:

• Treating everyone with equal respect
• Not judging people by their possessions
• Sharing and helping when possible
• Appreciating different contributions to community

GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES

Different age groups may have different cultural practices:

• Grandparents who remember “the old ways”
• Parents who balance tradition with modern life
• Children who are learning about both cultures
• Different comfort levels with technology and change

Cultural Exchange and Learning

How Cultures Interact

CULTURAL BORROWING

When cultures meet, they often share practices:

• Learning new foods from neighbors
• Adopting useful practices from other groups
• Sharing celebrations and festivals
• Learning new languages or words

Examples in Nigeria:

• Jollof rice (popular across different ethnic groups)
• Pidgin English (combines English with local languages)
• Modern clothing styles mixed with traditional elements
• Shared national holidays and celebrations

CULTURAL PRESERVATION

Keeping traditional culture alive while embracing change:

• Teaching children traditional languages
• Practicing traditional crafts and arts
• Telling traditional stories and legends
• Maintaining traditional ceremonies
• Passing down cultural knowledge