Additional Resources on the Nigerian Culture
- http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nigeria.html This website provides knowledge on a large array of cultural things Nigerians do and participate in. It delves into how etiquette and religion play a role in how people behave. The author Tim Curry, does a great job bringing in many factors that make up a culture
- http://www.our-africa.org/nigeria/people-culture The Nigerian culture is thoroughly examined using Agriculture & Famine, Children, Climate, Development, Foods, Games & Sport, Geography & Wildlife, Health, History, Poverty, and Women. These are all important when determining a country's culture.
In Northern Nigeria, the states have Sharia Law, which is in accordance with Islam. In Southern Nigeria, it can be assumed that Christianity is the primary religion, according to this map.
Homeland Security Watch. (2012, January 12). Retrieved October 5, 2015, from http://www.hlswatch.com/2012/01/21/more-inter-religious-violence-in-nigeria/
The food supply in Nigeria increased between the years of 1982 to 2000. The amount almost tripled. This is due to new methods in farming and animal rearing. Some new methods are crop rotation, shifting cultivation, fish farming, commercial agriculture, and plantation agriculture. These methods have increased the food supply for the majority of the citizens in Nigeria. The other countries in Figure 1 and 2 stayed relatively the same in in the 18 years, except for Russia. According to Figure 1, Russia had 0 food supply, then it boomed in Figure 2. The reasoning behind that is the the Cold war completely crippled Russia's economy, therefore the food supply among other things were extremely low. Nigeria's food supply grew gradually and there was no "backsliding". There were no significant events, besides better food production, that aided to the rising numbers.
Figure 1 and Figure 2 compare child mortality rates from 1960 to 2012 in Nigeria, this is a 52 year span. The child mortality rate in Figure 1 is one of the largest in the world. The reasoning for this is the high levels of HIV/AIDS in the area. According to CIA Factbook, over 3 million people are currently afflicted with the disease in Nigeria. This disease can be passed down from mother to child through birth. The rate of transmission and child mortality would be significantly less if there was more attainable means of medicine. In Figure 2, which shows the the child mortality rate in Nigeria, the rate is much lower, but it is still significantly larger compared to other continents. For example, Asia had high rate of child mortality, but in the same time span, the countries in Asia were able to almost complete diminish it. Child mortality is composed of many things such as education, health and resources, three things Nigeria and other African countries lack.
Religion in Nigeria
There are three types of religions in Nigeria. The Nigerian population is 49.3 percent Christian, 48.8 percent Muslim and 1.9 percent follow other indigenous religions or are not affiliated with any religion. However, those who say that Islam or Christianity would be their main religion still practice the indigenous beliefs of their tribe for “extra power/protections”. The division of religion is very easily seen in Nigeria. Northern Nigeria is primarily Muslim and southern Nigeria is practices Christianity. Christianity originated in Nigeria around the 15th century, however it really didn’t grow until the 19th century. The protestant missionaries worked in the southwest with the Yoruba tribe in the mid 19th century. After that many missionaries of the Christian faith came in Nigeria. Islam has been present in Nigeria much longer, since the 11th century with the Hausa tribe. In the 18th century the Fulani people adopted it as their main religion as well. Both of these tribes are in the north. It seems that once certain tribes and areas adopted a certain religion, they did not digress from it much.
Christianity and Islam has had a great impact on the social development and cultural norms in Nigeria. Both of those religions preach that women are below men and you can see that in the society, there is bias for men in many fields, such as education, jobs and just overall daily living. Men are seen as a head of the household and that ideal is presented in Christianity (men have more rights than women according to the bible) and Islam (Shari law primarily restricts the rights of women). In the society it is not as apparent but disparity is easily seen. Also those two religions have an effect on laws occasionally. For example, one of the reasons that gay marriage was not legalized in Nigeria is because it is against Islam and Christian beliefs and do to those beliefs the majority of the population was against it. Of course, each religion has its own its own laws and codes that members of the religion can modify according to their liking.
The sacred place, location wise for Islam is in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia with the Kaaba surrounding it. Muslims come there to pray and it is considered to them the holiest place on Earth. The sacred place for Christianity is Jerusalem because it is believed to the place whereof the Last Supper. Sometimes Christians will refer to Bethlehem as the sacred place because it is the birthplace of Jesus. Neither of these locations is in Nigeria. The places of worship for Christianity are churches and the places for worship for Islam are mosques.
As mentioned previously in a previous paragraphs religion usually has an effect on laws in the country. For example, the ban on gay marriage in the country is primarily due to the religious beliefs of those in the position to make the laws. The previous president of Nigeria was Christian and the currently president is Muslim. Both of their campaigns focused on their religions and how they would use their roles as president to do what is asked of them for their god. Who ever holds the power to make and change policies will do so depending on their beliefs whether personal or religious.
It seems that Islam is progressively gaining a larger following in Nigeria. Influences of Islam are starting to trickle down to the rest of Nigeria. In addition to that, the president of Nigeria is Muslim. This means that during his presidency he will probably adhere to Muslim laws and beliefs. A lot of people’s actions and thought are based off religion, this is due to that fact the purpose of religion to instill the same thoughts and morals into an individual. I believe that a lot of people operate this way, whether they have a religion or not. Most religions have an effect on societal norms in the country, especially when it comes to men and women. Many people use religion as a basis for many of their actions, and as you can see in the world today, that usually does not end well.
Christianity and Islam has had a great impact on the social development and cultural norms in Nigeria. Both of those religions preach that women are below men and you can see that in the society, there is bias for men in many fields, such as education, jobs and just overall daily living. Men are seen as a head of the household and that ideal is presented in Christianity (men have more rights than women according to the bible) and Islam (Shari law primarily restricts the rights of women). In the society it is not as apparent but disparity is easily seen. Also those two religions have an effect on laws occasionally. For example, one of the reasons that gay marriage was not legalized in Nigeria is because it is against Islam and Christian beliefs and do to those beliefs the majority of the population was against it. Of course, each religion has its own its own laws and codes that members of the religion can modify according to their liking.
The sacred place, location wise for Islam is in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia with the Kaaba surrounding it. Muslims come there to pray and it is considered to them the holiest place on Earth. The sacred place for Christianity is Jerusalem because it is believed to the place whereof the Last Supper. Sometimes Christians will refer to Bethlehem as the sacred place because it is the birthplace of Jesus. Neither of these locations is in Nigeria. The places of worship for Christianity are churches and the places for worship for Islam are mosques.
As mentioned previously in a previous paragraphs religion usually has an effect on laws in the country. For example, the ban on gay marriage in the country is primarily due to the religious beliefs of those in the position to make the laws. The previous president of Nigeria was Christian and the currently president is Muslim. Both of their campaigns focused on their religions and how they would use their roles as president to do what is asked of them for their god. Who ever holds the power to make and change policies will do so depending on their beliefs whether personal or religious.
It seems that Islam is progressively gaining a larger following in Nigeria. Influences of Islam are starting to trickle down to the rest of Nigeria. In addition to that, the president of Nigeria is Muslim. This means that during his presidency he will probably adhere to Muslim laws and beliefs. A lot of people’s actions and thought are based off religion, this is due to that fact the purpose of religion to instill the same thoughts and morals into an individual. I believe that a lot of people operate this way, whether they have a religion or not. Most religions have an effect on societal norms in the country, especially when it comes to men and women. Many people use religion as a basis for many of their actions, and as you can see in the world today, that usually does not end well.
Works Cited
Corris. T. (2009, March 3). Religions in Nigeria. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
Loftin, C. (2014, May 9). Law and Religion in Nigeria. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
Rufai, A. (2013, November 7). Islam in Nigeria. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
Todd, P. (2006, January 26). Nigerian History. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
Corris. T. (2009, March 3). Religions in Nigeria. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
Loftin, C. (2014, May 9). Law and Religion in Nigeria. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
Rufai, A. (2013, November 7). Islam in Nigeria. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
Todd, P. (2006, January 26). Nigerian History. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
Nigerian Food
The Nigerian Egusi soup, prepared with melon seeds, is prepared by most tribes in Nigeria in many different ways. It is known as Miyan Gushi in Hausa, Ofe Egusi in Igbo and Efo Elegusi in Yoruba. Egusi soup is also one of the most popular soups, if not the most popular for all Nigerians and non-Nigerians that like Nigerian fufu recipes.
Ingredients
There are two main methods of cooking egusi soup. Called oil before egusi (Fried Method) and egusi before oil (Caking Method)
Egusi Before Oil (Caking Method)This method produces a healthier egusi soup as there is no frying involved. It requires less oil too.
www.allnigerianrecipes.com
*All of these ingredients are grown and produced in the country
Since half of the population is Muslim, there are restrictions to what they can and cannot eat due to their religion
Ingredients
- 600g Egusi (Melon) seeds
- 2 cooking spoons red palm oil
- Beef: Best cut and Shaki (cow tripe)
- Fish: Dry Fish and Stock Fish
- 3 tablespoons ground crayfish
- Pepper and Salt (to taste)
- Vegetable: Nigerian pumpkin leaves, spinach or bitter leaves
- 3 small stock cubes
- 1 Ogiri Okpei (traditional locust bean seasoning: optional)
There are two main methods of cooking egusi soup. Called oil before egusi (Fried Method) and egusi before oil (Caking Method)
Egusi Before Oil (Caking Method)This method produces a healthier egusi soup as there is no frying involved. It requires less oil too.
- In this method, as soon as the shaki, fish and meat are done, remove them from the stock (water used in cooking the meat and fish) and place in a different pot or plate.
- Add the ground egusi to the stock and stir. If the stock from cooking your meat and fish is not enough to give you a medium consistency, add some water to get the consistency of evaporated milk or a bit thicker. It will not be as smooth as evaporated milk though.
- Cover and cook till the egusi cakes. Stir and add a little bit more water. watch it closely so that it does not burn.
- Repeat step 3, adding only a small quantity of water at a time. After about 25 minutes, you will notice the clear egusi oil coming to the surface of the soup.
- Add the red palm oil and bitter leaves (if it is your choice of vegetable), pepper and salt to taste and cook for about 7 minutes. You know it is good to continue when the palm oil and egusi forms a good blend of light yellow colour.
- Add the cooked meat and fish. If using pumpkin leaves or any other soft vegetable, add it at this time and stir the soup.
- Add salt to your taste, stir and leave to simmer for 2 minutes maximum.
- Turn off the heat. Leave to stand for about 5 minutes before serving.
www.allnigerianrecipes.com
*All of these ingredients are grown and produced in the country
Since half of the population is Muslim, there are restrictions to what they can and cannot eat due to their religion