₦airaland Forum

fratermathy:
Hello Nairalander! ,
Nigeria is a very rich cultural center. In fact, our diversity is one of our major strength as a nation. Although it has its own advantages and disadvantages, its advantages surpass the disadvantages. However, most Nigerians are content with just their own ethnic group and this is quite bad for true patriotism and good neighbourliness. Some Nigerians have never even seen people of other ethnic extractions! Others have little or no knowledge of other ethnic groups! Worse still, a few know nothing about their own culture and ethnic extraction. This has become a trend among the recent generation of Nigerians who embrace Western culture, religion and dressing.
This thread shall explore an aspect of our culture: DRESSING! I wont be able to discuss all the ethnic nationalities in the country due to constraints but some major ethnic groups across the geographical spread of Nigeria and how they dress will be underscored in this list.

1. Edo Nation
The Edo People occupy current Edo State. They are made up of the Binis, Afemais, Eshan, etc. They have a very rich cultural heritage. They are all headed by an Oba who delegates duties to various towns and villages through the Odionweres(Elders) and Enogies (Dukes). The Benin Kingdom is one of the oldest and culturally rich pre-colonial African Kingdom. Edo people are quite reclusive in nature. They are colorful and elegant. The use of beads is commonplace in Benin. It symbolises royalty and freedom.
www.nairaland.com/attachments/1278044_625535_506034929455284_1552838402_n_jpg5860e03913cfc8761c1692c7b0d3a890

2. Urhobo/Isoko Nation
The Urhobo/Isoko People are the major tribe in Delta State. They occupy Delta Central and Delta South. They are the 5th largest ethnic group in Nigeria, usually dragging position with the Ibibios. The Urhobo people have been grouped here with the Isoko people because of their cultural similarities. They dress traditionally in exactly the same way. The language is overtly similar and the people have same cultural traits. The Urhobo and Isoko people are migrants from Edo nation according to oral history. The people are ruled by an Ovie (King) with variations in appellations such as Orodje, Orosuen, Okobaro, Okpako, etc. The Ovie is seconded by an Otota (Spokesman) who is the traditional Prime Minister. The Otota is also called the "Unuevworo" in Uvwie-Urhobo Kingdom. Urhobo people love titles alot. In most ceremonies, people are announced as "Chief, Professor, Reverend Ovwigho Ogbejiriemu mni cna esq OFR". Urhobos do not have a penchant for hard work and they are known mainly for academic/mental feats. The Urhobo people usually dress by tying a Georgian Wrapper and wearing a Lace Shirt with a Cowboy Hat and a Walking Stick and beads are worn on the hands and neck.
https://logbaby.com/files/logo/13057.jpg
Y tiv culture day last
3. Yoruba Nation
The Yoruba People occupy South Western and North-Central Nigeria and in states such as Lagos, Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, Ogun and Osun. They are one of the three major tribes of Nigeria. They have a rich mythological history which dates back to Oduduwa as their earliest progenitor. The Yoruba people are extremely jovial and respectful. A typical Yoruba man can greet you 100 times in a day if needs be. They love partying and enjoyment generally. Their traditional system revolves around the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo which are seen as apex custodians of Yoruboid culture. Most Yoruba towns and villages are ruled by Obas also called Olus or Deji. They have a rich traditional religious system and a Pantheon of gods akin only to the Greek Pantheon. Yorubas are extremely glamorous in dressing! They look songs and food and are known for owning the Music industry in Nigeria. The Yorubas usually wear "Agbada", a oversized cloth which is worn like a jacket over lace or wrapper based clothes.
https://thetrentonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Nigerian-Dancers-The-Trent.jpg

4. Igbo Nation
The Igbo People occupy South Eastern and parts of South-Southern Nigeria which has states such as Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Delta North and Rivers. Igbo is one of the three major tribes of Nigeria. Igbo itself doesn't rut it is an umbrella term for all Igboid groups such as Mbaise, Ika, Aniocha, Ikwerre(disputed), Orlu, etc. Igbos are highly creative and technocratic in Nature. They do well in business and technology. They have a strong family bond and every successful member of a family becomes the succour for others. Igbr the Benin system. They usually have an Eze or Igwe who is either elected, is the oldest elder in the community or is inherited from father. The Igbos love class and elegance! They are self-preservative and fraternal in nature! They can be found in virtually every nook and cranny of the world. In fact, if you enter a place where there are no Igbos, please run away from there!!!. The Igbos usually dress with a trouser and a simple wool based shirt to go. The women dress like the Edo people with beads on the head. Some Igbo tribes tie a white wrapper across their shoulders.
www.nairaland.com/attachments/2018926_mikechioma_jpeg6f9e476963df5f6447aec641b9917d3b

5. Hausa/Kanuri/Fulani Nation
The Hausa/Kanuri/Fulani people occupy Northern Nigeria. These people have been grouped together because of the similarities in their culture, dressing and language. They are the most populated people in Nigeria and make up the major tribe. Apart from the Fulani people, most Nigerians won't be able to differentiate between these tribes. Religion has also helped to strengthen the bond shared by this triad as well as other minorities in their region. These people live a quiet, reclusive and pastoral life. They are not known for extravagance. Their traditional system is modelled after the Islamic method of a Caliphate, Sultanate and Emirate. Most towns are ruled by an Emir or his delegate. The Fulanis are remarkably nomadic in nature! These people are mainly farmers and cattle herders while there are also large pockets of politicians and civil servants. They dress with a "Kaftan" or "Jalabiya". The Fulanis in particular are unique in their dressing. The first picture below depicts Hausa/Kanuri while the second depict Fulani/Fulfulde.
https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42377000/jpg/_42377736_emirpalac.jpg
https://cometonigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Hausa-Fulani-People.jpg

6. Efik/Ibibio/Annang/Oron/Eket Nation
The Efik/Ibibio people occupy Akwa-Ibom and Cross-River States in South-Southern Nigeria. They are one of the lesser known people of Nigeria. However these people have a rich culture and elegance. They are said to be migrants from Cameroon in pre-colonial times. They also have the privilege of being one of the first people to encounter Western education and culture. The cities of Uyo and Calabar today are one of the most neatest, beautiful and secured places in Nigeria. The people are welcoming and have an aversion to violence. Their traditional system revolves around an "Obong" who rules over an "Afaha" (clan). Efik-Ibibio people love food and are known to have a wide variety of delicacies in their menu. Their dress sense is in tandem with that of the Igbo people. However, there are a lot of differences.
www.nairaland.com/attachments/474787_Ibibioarv_jpg72bd82044c247eb1f3efbd2129a44f93


7. Ijaw Nation
The Ijaw people occupy Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Akwa-Ibom and Ondo States. They comprise the 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria. The Ijaws live close to the river and thus, all their myths and legends are water based. Ijaw people are reclusive and quiet. They look drinking as well! Ijaw traditional system is headed by a "Pere" (King) who rules over a clan or village. The Ijaws are fearless and bold! They have cultural similarities with the neighbouring Itsekiri and Urhobo/Isoko people.
www.nairaland.com/attachments/533881_ijaw_groom_n_igbo_lady_jpg0a3e9d9d1ec61847e7670a6a3fcd90ce

8. Itsekiri Nation
The Itsekiris are a lesser known minority ethnic group whose people occupy Delta South. Itsekiris are aboriginals of Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West local government areas with a large pocket of people in Sapele local government area. The Itsekiris are originally Yoruba people who migrated to their current hold and have, over time, mixed their language with Edo, Urhobo, Ijaw and Portuguese. Itsekiris are jovial, colorful and elegant people. They are fearless and politically conscious. They have some of the richest and well educated people in Nigeria. They are ruled over by an Olu who is a direct descendent of Ginuwa, a Benin prince. Itsekiris dress like the Urhobos and Ijaws. Their royalty put on white with a coloured girdle depending on the occasion.
https://www.governoruduaghan.org/images/890.jpg

9. Nupe Nation
The Nupes occupy Kwara and Niger State in North-Central Nigeria. They are reclusive and quiet in nature. The Nupes are headed over by the Etsu Nupe. Nupes are communal in nature and they enjoy pastoral and simple life. Most Nupe people are farmers. Nupes also has a strong and deeply woven system of traditional thought that guides their day-to-day life.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lBSIHRycGf8/0.jpg

10. Tiv Nation
The Tiv people occupy Benue State in North Central Nigeria. Like most tribes in Northern Nigeria, they are quite reclusive and quiet. The Tiv people were once part of the Wukari Federation of pre-colonial times and they are similar to the Jukun people of Taraba state. They have a rich and wholesome culture and belief system which is headed by the Tor Tiv. The Tiv People are colorful and elegant. They are unique and have some of the most beautiful ebony girls in the country.
https://muta.org/wp-content/themes/MUTA/images/img_04.jpg


If your ethnic group is not listed, feel free to contribute and add more facts or correct errors/misconceptions.

Okeikpu:
Nne akwum gi n'azu..... Chineke goziri anyi with umu asa

spikesC:
The Igbo people do not have an elected Eze/Igwe (King). There is nothing like Kingship in Igbo land. The idea of kingship was brought by the white man to help deceive organize natives for successful slave trading. We have a very popular saying, 'Igbo enweghi eze' (Igbo's don't have kings). And this goes to most tribes in Nigeria.
We have communal leadership whereby old men of the community represents their communities and makes decisions which are heavily impacted by the people because these old men come from all social classes.

The modern day kings and their royal families does not have any impact on the individuals in their communities, which is why they're now fully into politics, helping to perpetrate the scams of 'democracy' for their own gains (just like it was done during the slave trade).

Nigerians need to educate themselves and know their roots instead of these childish online tribal wars

dustydee:
That is not how Nupe people dress, the picture you uploaded looks like that of palace guards which is not peculiar to the Nupe people.

More like this:
source: https://bellevousmakeovers./2014/05/28/amaria-hadiza/

pasqal09:
U from mars?

ADULTBASE:
I know say na igbo own go stay different!

Lordave:
Fratermathy, please I beg you in the name of any God you worship, edit your article and remove that Igbo is modelled after Benin.

That is a big lie and also an insult to the Igbo nation. We're not modelled after any ethnic group in Nigeria, we're are modelled after our respective selves.

Please edit it, it's misleading.

TBD:
Point of correction: Nupe people are found in Some Parts of Niger, Kogi, Kwara State and Abuja not Niger and Kwara State as earlier said

tonychristopher:
You know I look at how people just post rubbish ....NRI and Igbo ukwu kingdom is far older than Benin


People self

Lordave:
I was totally upset when I saw that.
What an insult!

Armaggedon:
Op write up about Igbo is a very provocative insult

fratermathy:
-Lordave
-Tonychristopher

There is nothing provocative nor insultive about my writeup. Saying that Igbos modelled their system after the Benin does not in any way imply that the Igbos are from Benin or that Igbos copied Benin. The current system of hereditary monarch practised in almost all South-Southern and South-Eastern ethnic nationalities are akin to that of the Benin kingdom. It is in no doubt that the influence of the old Benin kingdom spread even as far as Cotonou in Benin Republic. The current Obi system in Onitsha, Deinship in Agbor, Asagbaship in Asaba, among other, were all modelled after the Benin system. The reason for this is that most of these rulers looked up to the Oba as a symbol of royalty and hegemony. Even in Urhobo and Isoko land, as well as Lagos, the monarchical system is like that of Benin.
In essence, do not misinterpret my statement. The Igbo nation has its own systems and cultural bias. However, the widespread monarchical renaissance of the old Benin kingdom has directly or indirectly shaped their traditional system of leadership.
Secondly, I mentioned that Igbo women dress like Benin women. This statement was made only in comparative terms and nothing more. This comparative level being that Edo was presented before Igbo.

tonychristopher:
Stop been incorrigible

Akin is different from copying


Have you checked Igbo history. .Igbo have varied kingship from aro dynasty which is different to Igbo ukwu and NRI is more of theocratic