Marriage and Family

Marriage customs vary, but the payment of a bridal token or dowry is common throughout the country. The groom is expected to give money, property, or service to the family of the bride. Western-style dating is not common in rural areas, but it is practiced by some young people in urban areas. Women usually marry by the time they are 20 and men marry in their mid-20s. Marriage is often considered a process rather than an event, so couples may live together before or instead of a formal marriage ceremony. Many couples simply find a wedding to be too expensive.

Although specific details of the family structure vary from one ethnic group to another, Nigerian families are generally male dominated. Polygamy is practiced, but its popularity varies according to region, ethnic group, and education. Educated, Christian women living in urban centers, for example, are less likely to marry a man with other wives than other women might be.

While the status of Muslim women in Nigeria is similar to that in other Islamic countries, most other women enjoy a great degree of freedom—they influence family decisions, engage in open trade at the marketplace, and account for about a third of the labor force. Large families traditionally share the workload at home. Nigerians have deep respect for their elders.

Eating

The mainstays of the Nigerian diet are yams, cassava, and rice, and the people are fond of hot, spicy food. Meals are normally accompanied by a pepper sauce made with fish, meat, or chicken. The main meal of the day is eaten in the evening. A wide selection of fruit and vegetables supplements the diet. Because of the tsetse fly, which carries a disease fatal to cattle, dairy cattle are scarce in the coastal regions, but canned margarine, cheese, and powdered milk are used.

Eating habits vary among ethnic groups. Nigerians often eat with their hands, especially when eating fufu, a porridgelike food made of ground cassava or yams. Fufu is rolled into small balls and dipped into a sauce with the right hand only. Nigerians may use utensils for other dishes.

Socializing

In Nigeria, greetings are highly valued and neglecting to greet another is a sign of disrespect. Because of the diversity of cultures, customs, and dialects in Nigeria, English is widely used throughout the country for exchanging greetings. “Hello” is the most common greeting, while “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” and “Good evening” are also appropriate. Objects are passed with the right hand or both hands, but not with the left hand alone.

It is common to visit relatives frequently. Unexpected guests are welcome, because planning ahead is not possible in many areas where telephones are not widely available. Hosts endeavor to make guests feel comfortable and usually offer them some refreshments. Invited guests are not expected to bring gifts, but small gifts are appreciated. For social engagements or other planned activities, a starting time may be indicated, but late guests are anticipated and they do not disrupt the event.

Recreation

Nigerians enjoy many different sports, both as participants and as spectators. Soccer is by far the most popular sport, and the Nigerian national team has done well internationally. Boxing, wrestling, and swimming are also popular. Affluent Nigerians may play polo or tennis. Nigerians enjoy going to the cinema, and English-language films are shown in many cities. Watching television is also a popular leisure activity, and live theater and art exhibits are well attended.

Holidays and Celebrations

National holidays include New Year’s Day (1 January), Labor Day (1 May), and National Day (1 October). In addition, both Christian and Muslim holy days are celebrated by the entire country. Muslim holidays vary according to the lunar calendar and include Maulid an-Nabi, which is Muhammad’s birthday, usually celebrated in September or October; Idul Fitr, a three-day feast that ends the month-long fast of Ramadan; and Idul Adha, a feast that commemorates the faith and obedience of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who was willing to sacrifice his own son. Idul Adha is usually held in June or July. Christian holidays include Easter (Good Friday through Easter Monday), Christmas Day (25 December), and Boxing Day (26 December). Boxing Day is a day for visiting; it comes from an old British tradition in which servants and tradespeople collected tips and bonuses in small earthenware boxes on the day after Christmas.

Source: Encarta Interactive World Atlas

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