Additional sources for information on culture
This is a very informative source and covers a lot of topics such as gender roles and statuses, religion, languages, marriage, social welfare, and much more. http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nigeria.html#b
Why I think this next source is valuable is because it lists common etiquette and customs in Nigeria which would be great for anyone visiting that does not know how to properly greet someone, or what to bring when invited for dinner at someone's house in Nigeria. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/nigeria.html
Why I think this next source is valuable is because it lists common etiquette and customs in Nigeria which would be great for anyone visiting that does not know how to properly greet someone, or what to bring when invited for dinner at someone's house in Nigeria. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/nigeria.html
The role of women and men in nigerian society
I found a couple sources that outlined the role of men and women in Nigeria, as well as many Nigerian rules which are sexist. For example, when a man greets another person, it is okay for the man to place his left hand on another persons shoulder, but it is not okay for a woman to do that. (Kwintessential). Another source states that the division of labor is by gender in Nigeria, where women are greatly outnumbered in the political and professional work areas, even though they are expected to bring home a good portion of the income. (www.everyculture.com). Men have little accountability on how much income they must bring home, and it leave women to have to sell whatever they can in markets. In modern Nigeria, men are almost dominant in all areas to women. Women still have fewer legal rights. As disgusting as this sounds, according to Nigeria's penal code, men have the right to beat their wives as long as they do not cause permanent injury. (www.everyculture.com). An article on Nigeria states that women's health is a big issue as more women are forced into sex slavery. In fact, it is a huge issue because of male dominance in politics, that a women's agenda on reproductive and health rights may be overlooked. (Ilumoka, 1996). Over time there has been little change as still to this day hardly any woman of Nigeria is involved in politics, and men do not respect the income women bring in. (Women in Nigeria Today, Qualls).
OIL PRODUCTION
![Picture](/uploads/1/7/2/2/17221390/4157558.png?746)
To the left is a picture of oil production. Nigeria has not been able to capitalize on the amount of oil it has due to poverty however it has increased from 1971 to 2008. At first, Nigeria was producing under 100 Million gallons of oil, now it is well above that number in the mid 150 million gallons of oil.
Islamic and christian religion in nigerian society
The two predominate religions in Nigeria are Christianity, which accounts for 48.2 % of the citizens, and Islam which holds 50. 4 % of the population according to the 2003 census report. For a good amount of time, these have been the two leading religions, each staying within the boundaries they were formed within the country.
There are definite regional divisions between the two religions. Islam is more commonly practiced in the Northern part of the country’s states, where Hausa and Fulani groups accumulate. This is where the Islam religion started.
Meanwhile, Christianity is practiced more in the southern region of Nigeria where southern ethnic groups such as the Yoruba tribe thrive. The two religions alone have spread through their own parts of the country leaving very little indigenous religion worshiped. This is where the Christianity religion started.
As you could imagine, these two religions clash between each other, bringing about violence and death to Nigeria. This next map outlines the two regions of religion and also displays vulnerable parts of the country where people of that area’s affiliated religion have been attacked.
There are definite regional divisions between the two religions. Islam is more commonly practiced in the Northern part of the country’s states, where Hausa and Fulani groups accumulate. This is where the Islam religion started.
Meanwhile, Christianity is practiced more in the southern region of Nigeria where southern ethnic groups such as the Yoruba tribe thrive. The two religions alone have spread through their own parts of the country leaving very little indigenous religion worshiped. This is where the Christianity religion started.
As you could imagine, these two religions clash between each other, bringing about violence and death to Nigeria. This next map outlines the two regions of religion and also displays vulnerable parts of the country where people of that area’s affiliated religion have been attacked.
(Baldauf, 2010)
This is an obvious problem for the government of Nigeria, as they must spend money to protect the people to worship whatever religion they chose. However, certain legislation favors one religion over the other.
Although the constitution prohibits states and local laws from declaring an official religion, numerous states have adopted various forms of the Islamic criminal and civil law, known as Shari’ah. Similar to state government adopting Islamic law, many states have restricted religious practice, demonstration, and processions as a matter of public security. These state laws are not abiding what is set out for them in the constitution by the federal government. These are the connections Islam has with state government.
There is no denying that Christianity is growing more rapidly in Nigeria than the Islam religion is. In fact, according to a Pew study conducted in 2011, Christianity now forms the majority of the nation, but how does this affect Nigerian government. Although Christianity is protected under the constitution of Nigeria, there are numerous reports that people who belong to the Christian faith have not been defended by Nigeria’s “weak” government. In fact, an article written by Christian post in 2012 states this, “A Nigerian pastor is blaming the country’s weak government on the Islamist… continuous attack against the Christian population, and has called on the United States to officially declare the group a terrorist organization.” (Weber, 2012). Even though this author might be ignoring the fact that the Christian religion has returned violence upon Islamic people as well, there is evidence that this mistreatment is happening to Christianity. There are also reports that business owners and public officials have been known to discriminate against a faith different then their own, so this as well goes both ways. The government needs to step in and make Nigeria a place where people can worship freely, without the chance of being killed.
Along with two massive religions come holy places for the both. There are not many places in Nigeria that is considered Holy for the people of the Islamic religion. However, both the federal and state government have been spending billions each year from the National treasury to send Muslims, and Christians as well, on pilgrimages to places considered the holiest such as Mecca, and Jerusalem. (Nguvugher). There are also many Mosques in Nigeria that are home to people’s worship. This next picture shows Muslim people worshiping outside a central mosque in Jos, Nigeria. A Nigerian officer must stand guard inside an armed carrier so no violence breaks out.
This is an obvious problem for the government of Nigeria, as they must spend money to protect the people to worship whatever religion they chose. However, certain legislation favors one religion over the other.
Although the constitution prohibits states and local laws from declaring an official religion, numerous states have adopted various forms of the Islamic criminal and civil law, known as Shari’ah. Similar to state government adopting Islamic law, many states have restricted religious practice, demonstration, and processions as a matter of public security. These state laws are not abiding what is set out for them in the constitution by the federal government. These are the connections Islam has with state government.
There is no denying that Christianity is growing more rapidly in Nigeria than the Islam religion is. In fact, according to a Pew study conducted in 2011, Christianity now forms the majority of the nation, but how does this affect Nigerian government. Although Christianity is protected under the constitution of Nigeria, there are numerous reports that people who belong to the Christian faith have not been defended by Nigeria’s “weak” government. In fact, an article written by Christian post in 2012 states this, “A Nigerian pastor is blaming the country’s weak government on the Islamist… continuous attack against the Christian population, and has called on the United States to officially declare the group a terrorist organization.” (Weber, 2012). Even though this author might be ignoring the fact that the Christian religion has returned violence upon Islamic people as well, there is evidence that this mistreatment is happening to Christianity. There are also reports that business owners and public officials have been known to discriminate against a faith different then their own, so this as well goes both ways. The government needs to step in and make Nigeria a place where people can worship freely, without the chance of being killed.
Along with two massive religions come holy places for the both. There are not many places in Nigeria that is considered Holy for the people of the Islamic religion. However, both the federal and state government have been spending billions each year from the National treasury to send Muslims, and Christians as well, on pilgrimages to places considered the holiest such as Mecca, and Jerusalem. (Nguvugher). There are also many Mosques in Nigeria that are home to people’s worship. This next picture shows Muslim people worshiping outside a central mosque in Jos, Nigeria. A Nigerian officer must stand guard inside an armed carrier so no violence breaks out.
(Baldauf, 2010).
As Christianity continues to develop in Nigeria, so does their churches in that many people of that faith belong to. Some of the holiest churches in Nigeria are The Catholic Church of Nigeria, The National Christian Centre located in Abuja, and the Anglican Church of Nigeria. Each church has a massive following of over millions of people. The Catholic Church is the largest Christian body in the world, with a total of about 30 million members.
Both Christianity and the Islamic religion have taken a toll on the social development of the country. From the violence inflicted on both sides of the spectrum and no sight of stopping, there might be a continued plague of the separation of people not living happily together. When the constitution was introduced to the country in 1999, it gave hope to a nation under change for freedom of religion; however the government has not supported and protected that movement.
The multi-ethnic culture of Nigeria has been affected by these two religions by bringing forth new traditions and holidays within Christianity, while other people remain loyal to the traditions of the Islamic faith. English is considered to be the official language of Nigeria, but the tribes of this society hold on to their differentiating language as well. The divide between the North and the South in Nigeria has divided these two religions influence on culture where more of Muslim practices are in the North, and Christian gatherings are in the south.
Here is a final image of the divide between the two religions of Nigeria.
As Christianity continues to develop in Nigeria, so does their churches in that many people of that faith belong to. Some of the holiest churches in Nigeria are The Catholic Church of Nigeria, The National Christian Centre located in Abuja, and the Anglican Church of Nigeria. Each church has a massive following of over millions of people. The Catholic Church is the largest Christian body in the world, with a total of about 30 million members.
Both Christianity and the Islamic religion have taken a toll on the social development of the country. From the violence inflicted on both sides of the spectrum and no sight of stopping, there might be a continued plague of the separation of people not living happily together. When the constitution was introduced to the country in 1999, it gave hope to a nation under change for freedom of religion; however the government has not supported and protected that movement.
The multi-ethnic culture of Nigeria has been affected by these two religions by bringing forth new traditions and holidays within Christianity, while other people remain loyal to the traditions of the Islamic faith. English is considered to be the official language of Nigeria, but the tribes of this society hold on to their differentiating language as well. The divide between the North and the South in Nigeria has divided these two religions influence on culture where more of Muslim practices are in the North, and Christian gatherings are in the south.
Here is a final image of the divide between the two religions of Nigeria.
To have such an apparent split sectioning off who belongs to what is dangerous for a country. This can lead to a full on war, which battles have been shown to have been happening already. Not only does this split religion, but it splits the vote, does not bring forth social development, creates biased opinions about government, and leaves a nation divided.
References
Baldauf, S. (2010, March 8). Nigeria Violence: Muslim-Christian Clashes Kill Hundreds. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved from: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2010/0308/Nigeria-violence-Muslim-Christian-clashes-kill-hundreds
Lewis, M. (2011, May 5). Electoral Politics and Religious Strife in Nigeria. GeoCurrents. Retrieved from: http://geocurrents.info/cultural-geography/electoral-politics-and-religious-strife-in-nigeria
Nigeria Table of Contents. U.S. Library of Congress. Retrieved from: http://countrystudies.us/nigeria/44.htm
Nguvugher, C. Nigerian Religious Pilgrimages: Piety or Economic Waste?. Retrieved from: http://www.tcnn.org/index_files/rb54.chentu.htm
Nigeria-Religions. Nations Encyclopedia. Retrieved from : http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Nigeria-RELIGIONS.html
Weber, K. (2012, July 13). Nigerian Government ‘Allowing Christians To Be Shot at Every Sunday,’ Says Pastor. Christian Post. Retrieved from: http://www.christianpost.com/news/nigerian-government-allowing-christians-to-be-shot-at-every-sunday-says-pastor-78215/
References
Baldauf, S. (2010, March 8). Nigeria Violence: Muslim-Christian Clashes Kill Hundreds. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved from: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2010/0308/Nigeria-violence-Muslim-Christian-clashes-kill-hundreds
Lewis, M. (2011, May 5). Electoral Politics and Religious Strife in Nigeria. GeoCurrents. Retrieved from: http://geocurrents.info/cultural-geography/electoral-politics-and-religious-strife-in-nigeria
Nigeria Table of Contents. U.S. Library of Congress. Retrieved from: http://countrystudies.us/nigeria/44.htm
Nguvugher, C. Nigerian Religious Pilgrimages: Piety or Economic Waste?. Retrieved from: http://www.tcnn.org/index_files/rb54.chentu.htm
Nigeria-Religions. Nations Encyclopedia. Retrieved from : http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Nigeria-RELIGIONS.html
Weber, K. (2012, July 13). Nigerian Government ‘Allowing Christians To Be Shot at Every Sunday,’ Says Pastor. Christian Post. Retrieved from: http://www.christianpost.com/news/nigerian-government-allowing-christians-to-be-shot-at-every-sunday-says-pastor-78215/
FOOD OF NIGERIA
Nigeria, as you probably know by now, is so culturally diverse, it is hard to pick a food that is a staple to there country. Nigeria has two seasons the "hungry season" which happens before rain comes in March and the "season of surplus" which happens in the months of October and November. Since a huge chunk of Nigeria is tropical with the rain forest, fruit is enjoyed year round by all tribes. Each tribe has a distinct food they most likely eat starting with the tribes of the northern region. They particularly eat a lot of beans, sorghum which is a type of grain, and brown rice. Also in this region, the Hausa tribe likes to dine on meat that is in chunks, roasted, and put on skewers. This is called tsere or suya. Tea is also drank commonly in this area. People of the eastern region, such as the Igbo tribe, eat dumplings, pumpkins, gari which is cassava powder, and yams. Yams are an important part of the Nigerian diet, and are usually eaten in the place of potatoes. These yams are different from the ones in the Unitd States as they tend to be more paler and less sweet. In the southwestern region many tribes eat spinach, soups, gari, and mashed yams. In the gulf of guinea, fish is an important part of that regions diet as well as seafood, rice, and vegetables.
Nigerian stewIngredients
Procedure
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Holiday food
Since there is a predominant amount of Christian followers in Nigeria, they do have a traditional feast that consists of obe didin which is roasted goat, jollof rice with chicken stew, chopped liver, pounded yams, and moin-moin.
Jollof riceIngredients
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