NIGERIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE

Nigeria is a country blessed with multiple ethnic groups. We have 527 languages, of which seven are extinct. The country also has over 1150 dialects and ethnic groups. The major ethnic groups are:
*Hausa(north)
*Fulani (north)
*Igbo (southeast)
*Yoruba (southwest)
*Efik - Ibibio (south)
*Ijaw (south)

There are other ethnic groups called the minorities, they are mainly in the north and middle belt.
The Fulani and the Hausa are predominantly Muslim while the Igbo are predominantly Christian and so are the Efik, Ibibio, and Annang people. The Yoruba are equally likely to be Christian or Muslim.
The country is made up of 36 states and the federal capital territory is Abuja.

FESTIVALS

*HAUSA FESTIVAL
One of the major festivals of the Hausa people is called the Durbar Festival. This festival is an annual festival celebrated in different northern cities such as Katsina, Bida and Kano. It is celebrated at the end of Muslim festivals Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
It begins with prayers, followed by a parade of the Emir and his entourage on horses, accompanied by musicians, and ending at the Emir's palace.

*FULANI FESTIVAL
The nomadic fulani engages in a ceremony called Sharo. The Sharo Festival is held for a week in an open place such as a market square. The main part of the festival begins with the arrival of bare-chested, unmarried men who are escorted to the center ring by beautiful young girls.
After the flogging, the boys become men and are giving permission to take any girl of their choice as wife.

*IGBO FESTIVAL
New Yam Festival Of The Igbo
The New Yam Festival of the Igbo people (Iwa ji, Iri ji or Ike ji, depending on dialect) is an annual cultural festival held at the end of the rainy season in early August.
The festival usually includes a variety of entertainments and ceremony, including the performance of rites by the Igwe (King), or eminent title holder and cultural dances by Igbo men, women, and their children. It features other activities in the form of masquerade dances, contemporary shows, and fashion parades.

*YORUBA FESTIVAL
The Yorubas are described as people with a rich cultural heritage. The have the Eyo Festival held in Lagos, Osun Osogbo Festival, Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebuland, etc.

*EFIK-IBIBIO FESTIVAL
They have the New Yam Festival, Otaba Festival, Efu Festival, Anaka Mbe Festival, Fattening Festival, Aji Festival, Atumibi Festival and a number of others.

*IJAW FESTIVAL
The ijaws have the Ama-Ikiye festival, masquerade dances, traditional wrestling competition. The Awankere Juju festival, Okiroro/Okere festival, Boat regatta festival, Ukwatta festival, Adane-Okpe.

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

*HAUSA
The Hausas are mostly Muslims and they have a lot of customs and traditions.
To them it is considered haram to eat pork or consume any swine products. Alcohol is forbidden, so is wearing gold and silk for men. Women are expected to be properly dressed and fully covered up according to the dictates of their religion. Sexual education and freedom is prohibited.

*FULANI
These people are known for raring animals. For centuries to be a Fulani meant to be a cattle owner. However, due to the increasing hardships; famine, drought and poverty, many no longer own cattle.

*IGBO
The culture of the Igbos modify the thoughts, speech, actions and artifacts of the Igbos so much that the Igbos are easily distinguished from other ethnic groups.
The Igbos are the most business inclined in the country.

*YORUBA
The yorubas are regarded as the most respectful people in the country. They have several patterns of greeting. They are also said to be the most religious people, but they are also pragmatic and tolerant about their religious differences.

*EFIK-IBIBIO
All Ibibios speak and understand the same language ‘Ibibio’. They are mainly farmers, fishermen, and traders. They are famous for their skill in wood carving and are considered masters of an adroit professional technique.