NIGERIA: HISTORICAL, SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND CULTURAL
CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE 1890s
Explanation:
HISTORICAL
Although the history of the origin of Nigeria varies from different ethnic group's perspectives, archeological eveidence revealed that Neolithic humans inhabited what is now Nigeria as far back as 12,000 B.C.
Nigeria was given it's name in the1890s by British journalist Flora Shaw, who named it after the Niger River that dominated the country's landscape.
Nigeria fell under colonial rule when the British decided that the long-standing slave trade in the region was immoral, and by 1861 the British established it's first official colony in the country. However, the official Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria wasn't established by Britain until 1914.
Colonisation brought Christianity amd Western education and values to Nigeria.
With the spread of colonial rule all over the country the different ethnic groups of Nigeria banded together and presented a united front out of fear of losing their traditional cultural values.
This resulted in the country gaining it's independence from British rule in 1960.
SOCIAL
Nigeria is home to over 250 ethnic groups, the major of which are Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo
Across all the ethnic groups, the highest tier in the Nigerian society is made up of wealthy people, politicians and other highly educated elites.
Caste system exist in many ethnicities where lower caste members are considered inferior to the higher caste.
Wealth, heridatary titles and traditional lineage are the main symbols of social stratification in Nigeria.
Nigeria is a patriarchal society with men having dominance over women. Marriage is greatly valued, and is conducted according to the norms of respective ethnicities.
Age is greatly respected in Nigerian societies., and children's upbringing is seen as the community's responsibility.
Greetings are important in the society.
Poverty and lack of opportunities for young members of society, Inter ethnic fighting, religious riots and political confrontation remain the major social problems in Nigeria to date.
In many ethnic groups such as Yoruba and Igbo, members are organized into secret societies to help address social problems
More formal systems like police and courts also exists.
POLITICAL
Nigeria was colonised and ruled by the British from the 1890s to 1959.
Nigeria gained independence in 1960. After independence several military coup de etats were staged to overthrow dictatorships.
The south-eastern part of Nigeria broke away to form the Republic of Biafra, which sparked off a civil war.
Military rule and intervention encouraged national reconciliation.
Civilian rule was finally established in 1999.
Nigeria is now a republic with a president as head of state.
CULTURAL
Nigeria's culture is defined by its diverse ethnic groups. There are over 1000 ethnic groups and 520 languages in the country. 50% of the populace are Muslims, 40% Christians and the remaining 10% other traditional religions.
Nigerians have different forms of cultural arts and crafrs. Such as carvings, dancing and and others. Nigeria's culture has been diverse and beautiful since the beginning.
Among the food favoured by Nigerians rice is the most common staple alongside yam and cassava. Different ethnic groups each have their own peculiar staples. In the north Hausa-Fulani rely on grains and cow milk; in the south bitter leaves, fruits such as papaya, pineapples, coconuts, oranges, mangoes, and bananas are very common. Meat made into skewers called suya is also a favourite delicacy.
Alcohol is very popular in the south also, the most popular form of which is palm wine, an alcoholic drink that comes from palm trees.
Read more: https://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nigeria.html#ixzz6EpJxoRjX
REFERENCES
Barkindo, Bawuro M. Studies in the History of Kano, 1983.
Owhonda, John. Nigeria: A Nation of Many Peoples, 1998.
Babajuma, Malomo. Nigeria, My Beloved Country, 1975.
Ikime, Obaro. The Fall of Nigeria: The British Conquest, 1982.
