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Nigeria a land of culture and history

By Osaremi O. Lanloke & Ayoka A. Lanloke

Nigeria, or officially , the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the most populace Black country in the world with more than 133 million people, more than 250 languages and 25 different ethic groups, the largest being the Hausa and Fulani (29%), the Yoruba (21%), the Igbo (18%) and Kanurei (4%). Located in west Africa’s Gold coast, Nigeria is surrounded by Benin to the west, Niger to its north, Chad to its northeast, Cameroon to its east, and Gulf of Guinea to its south. Formerly, Nigeria’s capital was Lagos in southwestern Nigeria but it was officially moved on December 12, 1991 to Abuja, which is in central Nigeria. Nigeria is 356,668 square miles or a little more than twice the size of California. It contains mountains, plains, swamplands and tropical forests.

Nigeria history dates back more than 40,000 years. It’s people are full of culture, pride, and religion that are shown in their everyday life style. All of this is very present despite all of the hardship in Nigerian history. Nigeria has lost a lot over the years, including their people from the North Atlantic slave trade and loss of their religious identity through its colonization by the Portuguese, Dutch and British . The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Nigeria as early as 1474. By 1700 , the British were the leading slave traders in the region. In 1861, Nigeria became a colony of the British but achieved independence on October 1, 1960. Since independence, there have been a lot of wars between ethic groups and clashes with military and civilian rule. The last few years of Nigerian history has been filled with terror, hardship and pain with warring tribes. The government’s uncertainties and the transformation from military to civilian rule do not help the situation. Nigeria’s green and white flag represents agriculture with green and white is for peace. This something the Nigerian people are hoping for - a long lasting peace.

Many Nigerians are moving away from rural areas to find jobs. Overcrowding and pollution are becoming a major concern in the cities. Some of the morals, tradition and culture are being lost. Formerly, over eighty percent of the population in Nigeria lived in rural villages. Each village had a chief who was responsible for settling disagreements after consulting with the village council, a group of respected elders. The chief was usually the oldest and most respected elder in the village.

Polygamy is practiced by some families. Wives enjoyed the friendships and sharing of the workload. “All work is better in company” is a popular Nigerian saying. A woman who is unhappy in her marriage can go back to her own family. . Duty to family is very important. Large extended families are prevalent and marriage not only include obligations to two people but also their extended family. In some parts of the country it is still customary for the man to pay a “dowry” to the family of the bride and/or help pay for the education and funeral expenses of immediate and distant relatives if he can afford it.

Nigerians are also noted for their hospitality and to invite strangers into their homes for a meal or a place to stay. Guest are offered kola nut. This is a sign of friendship and welcome.

Nigerian artists have created works for centuries. They are especially noted for their terra-cotta clay heads created by Nok sculptors around 500 B. C. Artists were using clay, wood and bronze as well as metal by the l300’s. Art was used in everyday life, religious ceremonies and were used not only for its beauty but also for a purpose. Present day Nigerian artists sill create wood carvings, pottery, leather crafts, hand woven fabrics, sculptures and jewelry which are sold around the world.

Nigeria is also respected for other art forms such as painting, dance, theater , music and storytelling. Wole Soyinka, a famous Nigerian author, playwright and poet won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. Juju music, highlife and Afro-Beat bands are enjoyed all over the world and have influenced other styles of music developed in other parts of the world such as calypso from the West Indies, Latin -

America music like the conga and rumba, and American jazz, gospel and rock music.

Nigerian musical artists have been acclaimed all over the world. The late Babatunde Olatunji’s born in Ajido, Nigeria is famous for Drums of Passion. In 1950, Olatunji came to Morehouse College in Atlanta to pursue a degree in public administration and later went to New York to receive his master’s degree (Afro Pop Worldwide, 2003. In 1957 Olatunji’s performance at Radio City Music Hall, producer John Hammond of Columbia records heard Olatunji and his 66–piece orchestra and Hammond was very impressed with them. This is what led to the recording of Drums of Passion (Afro Pop Worldwide, 2003). Olatunji made many more recording in his life until he passed away this year at age 76. Fela Kuti of Abeokuta, Nigeria was not only an artist, but also very controversial activist. Kuti is very famous for not only for his music, but his very controversial marriages to 27 of his dancers in his group in one day. He married them in protest to the unjust treatment of Nigerians and the conditions of the poor. This was also in protest to the killing of his mother, who was killed when 1,000 soldiers burned down and threw his 84 year old mother out of a window which killed her. Fela Kuti died of complications from AIDS in the 1990’s. His son Femi Kuti carried on his father legacy by becoming a singer also, he is popular with his generation Nigerians and fans from around the world. Another well known Nigerian artist is Sade and Seal, a popular singer and King Sonny Ade.

Nigerians enjoy a variety of sports and leisure activities. Competitions in hunting, wrestling, archery, track, fishing, canoeing, swimming and horse racing were common in the past Other modern sports include tennis, golf, hockey, pool, boxing and basketball. Akin Olajuwon is a well-known basketball player here in the U.S.

Nigerian foods have also been introduced as they have traveled throughout the world and people have visited Nigeria . Bean akara, fufu, moyi moyi, gari , groundnut stew, and ewusi are just a few of some Nigerian dishes.

Nigeria has a created a culture and traditions of which they can be very proud. There has been a growing interest in Nigeria by African Americans . They are visiting and studying their history and culture ,as well as, adopting some of their culture, traditions, dress and traditional religious practices. It is hoped that Nigeria will find solutions to its problems and be able to develop into a strong, stable nation.

Recipes

Egusi (melon seed) Soup

Serves five to six

Ingredients
3 pounds goat meat (optionally, fish or beef)
1 cup dried crayfish*
2 cups melon seed, ground*
1 teaspoon dried red pepper, ground or crushed
2 tablespoons salt
1 medium onion, chopped
3 tablespoons red palm oil*
bitterleaf*, chopped (optionally, spinach or kale)
7 cups water

Equipment
skillet
mortar and pestle, blender or food processor
knife
large spoon for stirring
cutting board

Preparation

1. Cut meat in small pieces and place in skillet
2. Combine with water, onion, salt and boil for 15 to 20 minutes
3. Add ground melon seed and remaining ingredients, stirring as added
4. Cook for 10 more minutes, and serve with eba/gari, (mashed or fried grated cassava), Inyan (pounded yam), or pounded cassava.

http://www.folklife.si.edu/vfest/africa/recipes.htm

moyin-moyin

Non-detailed instructions:

Prepare foil or empty cans for the cooking:

If using empty cans, make sure their interior is clean, and lightly greased.

If using foil:

Tear off about 1 foot of the foil.

Fold the foil in half.

One of the edges is closed and fine. For two of the other edges, roll them a few times over to make sure they will take the weight of the mixture (at least an inch-worth of rolling).

When you are done, the foil will look like rectangles with only one edge open.

Soak some beans in a large container (some people recommend lightly grounding the beans first to make it easier to remove the skin) for about an hour or so.

Rub the beans between your hands to peel the skin off. (The skin should float to the top of the container.) Keep doing this until you have most of the skin off the beans.

Grind the beans into a smooth, finely-ground, mostly-liquid paste.

Add blended tomatoes (or tomato sauce and paste), oil (just a few teaspoons), a little salt, and if you wish, you can also add hard-boiled eggs, or dried fish, or meat, or ground beef.

Place into either the foil or the cans.

If using cans, simply pour some of the batter into the cans, making sure you leave enough room for the cooking moyin-moyin to rise.

If using foil, pour some of the batter into the foil, and then close up the last edge of the foil (once again, by rolling it securely).

Place some water in a large pot.

Place the cans or the foil into them.

Boil the moyin-moyin until it forms a solid substance (at least half an hour)

Remove them from the cans or the foil before serving.

Usually eaten with rice, meat, and maybe other sides.

http://www.motherlandnigeria.com/recipes.html

Reference:

Dejo, F. (1975). Oral traditions. Lagos Nigeria Wanda Abimbola editor.

Levy, P. (1993). Cultures of the World: Nigeria. North Bellmore, NY Times Edition Pre. Ltd

Mbiti, J. (1969) African Religions and Philosophy. New City, NY Ancher Books ed.

Moore, F. (1970). Sociology of the Yoruba. Ibadan, Nigeria, Ibadan University Press

CIA - World Fact book (no date). [Online] Available: www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ni.html

Afro Pop Worldwide (2001-2003). [Online] Available: www.Afropop.org