A Closer Look At Nigeria’s Vibrant Culture

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Jan 2

Written By Day MyLane

Situated on the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria is a vast country with a wealth of culture, wildlife, and natural resources. Its roots in art, language, sports, and religion can be traced far back in history and are still prevalent in African culture today. However, with migration and technology, some aspects of Nigerian culture look much different today than they did thousands of years ago. Thanks to tradition, literature, and now, the internet, there is plenty to uncover about this treasured African nation. It’s time to shine.

Although Nigeria is a single nation, hundreds of ethnic tribes—around 250 to be exact—exist within its borders. Each ethnic group celebrates a unique culture, which is expressed through African fashion, foods, languages, and religions. During colonial times, the region experienced widespread urbanization, bringing various ethnic groups together for the first time. This marked a pivotal moment in the molding of Nigerian culture.

Due to Pan-Africanism, the idea that people of African descent share the same cultural background, these distinctive and rich histories, such as Nigeria's, can be overlooked. Pan-Africanism may also describe Africa as a single, unified nation, rather than a continent filled with independent countries that can be further broken down into individual ethnic groups. By keeping Nigeria's beautiful culture alive through modern practices and art, we can help others better understand and appreciate these different concepts.

Nigerian languages can be classified into three broad categories: Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharan, and Afro-Asiatic, with each group broken down into various subgroups. With such a deep-rooted linguistic history, it's believed that most Nigerian dialects have been spoken for thousands of years. You may have even heard of Nigerian Pidgin English, which fuses elements of English and traditional Nigerian languages. This is an excellent representation of how languages adapt and grow along with the people who carry them.

In addition to African fashion and languages, different performance arts, such as dance and music, play a significant role in Nigeria’s cultural history. With fierce rhythms, drums, and an overall focus on percussion, it’s easy to pick out a Nigerian tune. The most popular music varieties are juju, highlife, and Afro-beat, with each genre producing world-renowned artists. Nigeria’s own Fela Kuti introduced Afro-beat to a global audience when he came to the U.S. in the 1960s, merging traditional Yoruba music with blues and jazz.

Although highlife is rooted in African culture, it boasts American influence as well. Hailing from Ghana, E.T. Mensah was widely regarded as the “King of Highlife.” The genre borrows elements from jazz and other African music traditions. Emerging from South Africa, Hugh Ramapolo Masekela is another figure who is best known for his contributions to highlife. Artists like these pioneered bridging the gap between Pan African and Western culture.

With a rich literary history, Nigeria is also known for its compelling stories. By passing down tales and memories through generations, Nigerians have been able to keep their culture alive and thriving. What started as oral tradition eventually translated into written literature. Today, Nigerian tradition is expressed in a more modern sense, whether through African fashion, films, and more.

The best way to celebrate Nigerian culture and history is by introducing it into your daily life. Day MyLane celebrates Nigerian culture in addition to a broad range of different cultures by instilling individuality and emphasizing community through purposeful clothing choices. Whether it's through something as accessible as African fashion and foods or attempting to really dive into the history, it all starts with appreciation!

Day MyLane is eager to share this appreciation. If you would like to learn more, sign up for our newsletter where you can learn about the rich cultural heritage of the African continent.