Features of Culture

Features of Culture are those traits that make a particular culture distinct and unique.

Here are some traits that make different Nigerian cultures distinct and unique;

Language:

Language is an important aspect of the culture of an individual. It is used to communicate and transmit cultural values from one person to another and also from generation to generation. In Nigeria, there are three major ethnic groups, that is, Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo and over 250 tribes with different languages. For example, Kanuri, Ibibio, Nupe, Ijaw, Efik, Edo, Idoma, Igale, Fufude, etc.

Food:

Food is any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink to maintain life and growth. The type of food eaten and how it is prepared differ from one culture to another.

Dressing:

Dressing involves the different things that people wear to cover their bodies, usually made from fabric. The way people dress reflects where they are from.

Religion:

Religion is the belief in and worship of superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. Before the introduction of Christianity and Islam in Nigeria, each cultural group had its own unique traditional religious beliefs and practices. In the present day, people still practice traditional religion in Nigeria, where deities, gods, spirits and ancestors are worshipped. These traditional religions are rich in oral traditions, passed down through generations

Nigeria is a Secular Nation, as stipulated in the constitutionA constitution is a set of fundamental rules that determine how a country or state is run. More, which means Nigeria is officially neutral in matters of religion, supporting neither traditional, Christian or Islamic religion.

Arts and Crafts:

Each cultural group indeed possesses its own unique art and craft traditions in the form of carvings, metal works, paintings, sculptures, woodwork, etc. Art and craft can be seen as a way for a group to express its identity, record its history, and transmit its cultural heritage to future generations.

Myths and Legends:

Myths and legends are features of most cultures in Nigeria. These traditional stories, passed down through generations, serve various purposes, including explaining natural phenomena, the origin of man, history, etc. They can also provide moral lessons or insights into a culture’s values and beliefs. 

Folklore:

Folklore encompasses the traditions, beliefs, and stories passed down through generations within a specific cultural group. These traditions can include oral stories, e.g. tortoise and the hare, songs, legends, myths, and even customs and practices. 

Games and Entertainment:

Each culture has its unique forms of games and entertainment, reflecting their history, values, and social structure, such as Ayo (also known as Ayo Olopon), Abula (a ball game), and Langa (a hopping game) in Yoruba land and board games like Ncho (Mancala) and Asigene in the Igbo community.

Music and dance also play a crucial role in most cultures, often used in celebrations, festivals, and social gatherings. 

Skills and Tools (Technology):

Each culture in Nigeria possesses unique skills and tools that reflect its traditions, customs, and way of life. These skills and tools are often passed down through generations and are integral to cultural practices

The Kingdom of Benin was renowned for its advanced metalworking skills, particularly in brass casting and ivory carving. The Ijaw and Itsekiri communities in Nigeria were well-known for their salt-making traditions. The Yoruba people possessed a range of technologies in areas like smelting, smithing, pottery, weaving, and glassmaking, particularly in Ile-Ife.

Below are some descriptions, in tabulated form, of different aspects of culture in the three major cultural groups we have in Nigeria;