GST102 Nigerian People and Culture — Quick Reference Notes

Core Concepts of Culture

• Definition: the total way of life of a people; includes beliefs, norms, values, language, religion, customs.
• Elements of culture: language, religion, dress, food, norms, values, beliefs, traditions.
• Key features: learned, dynamic, transmitted across generations; changes through contact and adaptation.
• Major functions: provides identity, guides behavior, transmits values, promotes cooperation.

Nigerian People and Culture: Quick Facts

• Acephalous (headless) political system: practiced by the Igbo.
• Hausa-Fulani traditional system: centralized under the Emir; symbol of authority often the Staff of Office.
• Yoruba traditional ruler: Oba.
• Not an ethnic group: Swahili.
• Major value in traditional Nigerian society: Communalism.
• Agent of cultural change in Nigeria: Education.
• Colonial policy that encouraged unity among Nigerians: Amalgamation (1914).
• Symbol of authority in Hausa-Fulani emirate: Staff of office.
• National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) established: $1973$.
• Nigerian motto: Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.
• Nigerian Civil War lasted: $1967-1970$.
• Kanuri region: mainly in the $North-East$.
• GST 102 course level: University.
• Igbo political system before colonization: Republican (acephalous).
• A non-function of culture: disunity (culture functions include identity, guidance of behavior, transmission of values, cooperation).
• Federal character principle: introduced to ensure fair representation.
• A Nigerian festival: Durbar.
• Nigeria became a republic: $1963$.
• Symbol on coat of arms representing agriculture: Green field.
• Official language of Nigeria: English.
• Sokoto Caliphate founder: Usman Dan Fodio.
• How culture is transmitted: mainly through $Education$ (and socialization).
• Intangible aspect of culture: Religion.
• Nigerian coat of arms: two white horses and an eagle; horses as supporters; eagle atop the shield.
• Ethnic group known for brass/bronze works: Benin.
• A culture that regards men as superior to women: Patriarchal.
• Designer of the Nigerian flag: Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi.
• Not a Nigerian cultural festival: Rio Carnival.
• Igbo title system commonly associated with: Ozo.
• Nigerian civil service is an example of: Modern institution.
• Judging another culture by one’s own standard is called: Ethnocentrism.
• NOT a product of colonial rule in Nigeria: Native language writing.
• Nigerian currency: Naira.
• Which traditional society practiced the Emirate system: Hausa-Fulani.
• Transmission of culture within the family: Socialization.
• The Nigerian coat of arms’ eagle represents: Power.
• Amalgamation year in history: $1914$.
• What promotes cultural integration in Nigeria: Inter-ethnic marriages.
• National anthem first adopted: $1978$.
• Official residence of the Nigerian President: Aso Rock.
• Introduction of Christianity in Nigeria: Through European missionaries.
• Minority ethnic group in Nigeria: Nupe.
• Process by which a person learns his/her culture: Socialization.
• Igbo political system is also known as: Gerontocracy (elder-led traditional governance).
• Nigeria gained independence from Britain in: $1960$.
• Green color on Nigerian flag stands for: Unity, Prosperity, or Agriculture (context: commonly linked to agriculture/green land features).
• The process of borrowing aspects of another culture is called: Diffusion or Acculturation (depending on direction); here often Acculturation involves adopting aspects, while Diffusion is spread between cultures.
• An ethnic group in Nigeria: Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Nupe, etc. (Zulu, Xhosa, Shona, Bemba are not Nigerian).
• Nigeria became a member of the United Nations in: $1960$.
• The Nigerian coat of arms has a black shield which stands for: Fertile soil or Dignity (often taught as Fertile soil).
• The Durbar festival is most popular among the: Hausa-Fulani.
• The Ooni of Ife is a traditional ruler among the: Yoruba.
• The Hausa-Fulani society before colonialism was ruled by: Emirs.
• The main occupation in traditional Nigerian society: Farming.
• The Nigerian National Assembly comprises: Senate and House of Representatives.
• The principle of federal character was enshrined in the Nigerian constitution of: $1999$.
• Which ethnic groups are predominantly in the Middle Belt: Tiv.
• The Nigerian coat of arms has two wavy lines which represent: River Niger and River Benue.
• The Igbo traditional belief system recognizes the Supreme God called: Chineke (also known as Chukwu in some contexts).
• A person who studies culture scientifically: Anthropologist.
• Nigeria returned to civilian rule on: $1999$.
• An instrument of national unity: Federalism.
• The word “culture” originated from a Latin word meaning: Cultivation.
• The British Governor-General who carried out the 1914 amalgamation: Frederick Lugard.
• The Yoruba traditional council of chiefs is called: Ogboni.
• NOT a Nigerian traditional title: Pharaoh.
• The majority religion in Northern Nigeria: Islam.
• The process of adapting to a new culture is called: Acculturation.
• The ethnic group noted for masquerade festivals such as Mmanwu: Edo.
• The national symbol that represents Nigeria’s authority and sovereignty: Coat of arms.
• The Nigerian currency, Naira, was introduced in: $1973$.
• The first capital of Nigeria before independence: Lagos.
• A characteristic of Nigerian traditional religion: Belief in ancestors and spirits (often linked to reincarnation in some traditions).
• Nigeria’s culture before colonialism was transmitted mainly through: Oral tradition.

Quick Reference Facts (for last-minute review)

• Amalgamation: $1914$; Unity of Northern and Southern protectorates.
• Nigeria republic: $1963$; Civil War: $1967-1970$; Civilian rule restored: $1999$.
• National anthem adoption: $1978$.
• Independence: $1960$; Capital: Lagos (before independence); Abuja as capital later.
• Year NYSC established: $1973$.
• Motto: Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.
• Official language: English.
• Flag design credit: Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi.
• Coat of arms: two white horses (supporters); eagle atop; Green field on shield; River Niger and River Benue represented by wavy lines.
• Middle Belt ethnic group (notable): Tiv.
• Major regional governance: Emirates (Hausa-Fulani); Oba (Yoruba); Acephalous/Republican (Igbo).
• Festivals: Durbar (Hausa-Fulani); Argungu Fishing Festival (Kebbi).