Hello Nairalanders ,

I come before you all again with a new cultural piece. I have documented some ethnic groups and their dialects in these threads:
The Various Dialects of The Urhobo Language and Where They Are Spoken
Ijaw Dialects and Where They Are Spoken
Ibibio Dialects and Where They Are Spoken

However, before I proceed to document the next ethnic group, I wish to briefly present some fascinating photographs of Nigeria's various ethnic nationalities before, during and after colonialism. This will help us appreciate how far we have come as a Nation!
The various ethnic groups in the country were once thriving city-states and independent kingdoms/nations before the advent of colonialism. Most of the tribal people of old had their own civilisations, medicine, law, culture, and all that defines a people. Colonialism brought us together and we have maintained our Nigerian identity since then.
These pictures are meant to harmonise us and show us that we have always been a people, no matter our cultural and cosmological flaws! We have remained strong and some of our cultures have remained intact till this moment. I will make brief statements about the photos and what they represent culturally. Feel free to also add your comments and impressions of the photos. If it represents your culture, you can say more about them. If they are misrepresentative of your people, kindly state your points as rationally as possible. Please let us eschew tribalism and avoid making uncouth statements! Nigeria is one of the most unique places in the world. Although we are ethnically heterogenous, we have been able to forge a singular stronghold and national outlook! We have gone a long way even though it is not rosy yet. Let us celebrate NIGERIA! Though tribes and tongues may differ, IN BROTHERHOOD WE STAND!!!

** The photos below are not my intellectual property. They were all sourced from my research. Credits to Nigeria Nostalgia Project.

[b]1. A Woman with a statue on her head, Otukp’icho village, Benue 1977. Benue is in Northern Nigeria and its capital is Makurdi! It has a large array of people. This picture represents the IDOMA PEOPLE.


2. “Ekule Baba” Greeting in Yoruba Land, 1960. Yorubas usually "DOBALE" (bow) as a form of greeting. Yoruba people are known to be very respectful! They occupy South-Western and North-Central Nigeria!


3. Ibibio man his and wife. Ikot-Ekpene. March 7th 1905. The Ibibios occupy Akwa-Ibom State in Southern Nigeria.


4. Four young girls carrying pots on their head, Kano 1950s. The Hausa people inhabit the bulk of Northern Nigeria and they are the largest ethnic group in Nigeria.


5. The first photograph is of an unidentified Yoruba ruler with his people in 1898. The second photograph is Alake of Abeokuta; Chief of Egba people, 1910. Yoruba rulers are usually called Oba, Olu, Alaafin, Ooni, Alake, Deji, etc. They are semi-divine kings whose history go back to Oduduwa himself. Many Yoruba kings are subsumed under the Alaafin of Oyo or the Ooni of Ife since it is said that legitimacy comes from these two monarchs. Yoruba kings are revered, elegant and powerful.



6. Yoruba women, 1890s. It is said that Yoruba housing system involves a cluster of people building houses in close proximity to each other to form a village as opposed to the Igbos that prefer spacing. Notice the house in the background.


7. A Nigerian chief with his family, 1910. This picture is from Northern Nigeria. Many people in the region are muslims who practise polygamy as seen the number of wives in the picture.


8. A group of I[g]bo warriors in ancient battle dress, 1956. Igbos are found in South-Eastern and South-Southern Nigeria. They are one of the most unique group of Nigerians. They are known for their bravery and success in trading. In Ancient Igbo societies, each clan usually have a dedicated group of warriors who ward off rivals/enemies/attackers.


9. Urhobo Udje Dancers, 1950s. The Urhobo People (Check the links in the introductory part of this article to know more) occupy Delta State in Southern Nigeria! They are known for the Udje Battle of Songs which has been documented by Professors J.P.Clark, G.G.Darah, Tanure Ojaide and Peter Omoko, amongst others. The Udje tradition involves rival communities exchanging invectives through their best singers! It is used for entertainment and as a peaceful way to end conflicts. Udje is gradually waning in modern society however its richness is something that will last for long.


10. ‘Okorosie’ masquerade. Masks called ‘Nwanyioma’ and ‘Akatakpuru’ 1931. The Igbo people are known for their rich masquerade tradition which is aesthetically deep and creative. Their masquerade tradition was exported to neighbouring tribes.


11. Irigwe Women, Jos Plateau. 1960s. The Rigwe people of Plateau State of Northern Nigeria are of one of the extant ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. In times past, women were allowed to actually marry more than one man! .


12. Itsekiri maidens in 1910s-20s. The Itsekiri people occupy Delta State in Southern Nigeria. They are one of the earliest people to encounter Western education and civilization. They are intelligent, smart and beautiful. They were originally Yorubas who have acculturated into the Delta with influences from Bini, Urhobo and Portuguese.


13. Efik/Ibibios in 1800s. These photographs show the Efik/Ibibio people of Southern Nigeria. These people are also one of the first to encounter Western education, culture and civilisation. They are one of the oldest people in Nigeria! Refer to my earlier links on them to know more.



14. Urhobo Chief, Southern Nigeria 1905. Urhobos of old practise polygamy and large families such as the one picture in this photograph are commonplace.


15. Itsekiri household of Erejuwa II. Itsekiri monarchy is largely hereditary. They are ruled by an Olu who is a descendent of the Bini prince, Ginuwa!


16. Fulani Woman and her child, 1930s. The Fulani people occupy parts of Northern Nigeria. They are closely linked to the Hausa people because of the Islamic religion. Fulani people are nomadic and are notably unique.


17. Nupe women carrying foodstuff in enameled tinware with flexible woven cover, Wuya, west of Bida, Nigeria, 1959. The Nupe people occupy Kwara and Niger States of Northern Nigeria. They are notably simpleminded and pastoral in Nature. They are ruled by the Etsu Nupe whose palace is in Bida. Notice the tribal marks on the faces of the ladies in the photo.


18. Traditional dancers at an Oba's palace in Benin, Edo State. 1980s. The Edo people occupy Edo State in Southern Nigeria. They have one of the oldest culture and kingdom in Nigeria. They are ruled by an Oba who heads a semi-divine hereditary monarchy.


19. By the River Niger, Lokoja, 1910. Lokoja is the capital of Kogi, a state in Northern Nigeria and home to the Ebiras, Igalas, Yorubas and Idomas.


20. Anaang Fattened Woman, date unknown. The Anaang people of Akwa-Ibom usually employ fattening rooms to increase the weight and size of maidens before marriage. It is believed to aid them become better mothers.


21. Dufuna Canoe “Africa’s oldest known boat” (6,000 B.C.) discovered in 1987. This canoe was found in River Yobe in Northern Nigeria.


22. Inhabitants of Bonny, River State, 1870. Bonny is an island in Rivers State. It is occupied by the Ijaw people but has since become an urban center with the Igbo language spoken widely.


23. Frederick William Koko Mingi VIII who became the ‘Amanyanabo’ (King) of Brass, Nigeria 1889. Brass is a local government area and a town in Bayelsa State. It is occupied by the Ijaw people.


24. Oba Akenzua II Of Benin (1899-1978) Benin City 1950s. The Obas of Benin are regarded as divine fathers of the Edo people. This is the single paramount ruler of Edo kingdom who has Dukes(Enogies) and delegated leaders (Odionweres) that act on his behalf.


25. Sango Shrine, Ede, 1970. The Yorubas are known to have a wide pantheon of deities of which Sango is one of the most revered! This photo shows wives, followers, priests and initiates of Sango and its cult.


26. Hausa builders put the finishing touches to a mud wall during the construction of a new school, Kano, Nigeria, 1914. Hausa people have, for long, been good architects, designers and masons. This school being built will soon become a center for Islamic learning.


27. A diviner performing the Ogoha ceremony in Ezi Ume, Mgbom village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria. 1960s. These diviners are popularly known as Dibias and they are sometimes itinerary like this one. They are revered and deemed powerful.


28. An elderly woman spinning cotton in Northern Nigeria. 1964. For long, Nigerians have had traditional ways of making clothes for themselves. This picture shows one of the manual and tedious methods in which clothes are made by hand. This is a testimony to our own traditional civilisation and technology.


29. Oba Adesoji Aderemi, Ooni Of Ife, 1940s. The Ooni of Ife is believed to be a direct descendant of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race. Take note of the carvings in the photo. They are of the physical features of the Yoruba people.


30. Ovonramwen Nogbaisi (ruled 1888–1914). This is the last Oba of old Benin kingdom before the British punitive expedition of 1897 led to his exile and eventual death. He was known as a fearless and stubborn king. This picture was taken after his overthrow. He settled and later died in Calabar.


31. Ekombi dancers of Calabar. 1965. This photograph depicts an Efik dancer in a dance costume!


32. Children at a market, Lokoja 1910s. Lokoja is the capital of Kogi State in Northern Nigeria. Notice the dressing of the children and the houses behind.


33. Compound of Mallam Daudris, Abuja, 1962. This style of housing is mainly used by the Gbagyi people of FCT in Northern Nigeria. Houses are built in a cluster and the architectural beauty can be seen. This proves that Nigerians has a sophisticated civilisation before the colonial period.


34. ‘Okanku’ masquerade, Mask called 'Otili’, of Ohaffia tribe, Cross River (1931). The masquerade tradition of the AkwaCross Efik/Ibibio people is as developed and beautiful as that of Igbo people. Most of their masquerade traditions were imported from Igbo land.


35. IZERE (Jarawa) WOMAN with facial scars carrying basket on a wooden headboard, near Jos, Northern Nigeria, 1959. The Afizere people occupy Plateau state. Notice the precise scarrings and the ear rings.


36. Opobo/Bonny (Igbo-Ijo) chiefs daughter in wedding dress made out of Igbo cloth. The people of Opobo are historically Ijaw people. However, in current times, Igbo is spoken by some of the people of Opobo. Much history can be found in this island. The renowned Nigerian king, Jaja of Opobo, was once the ruler of this place.


37. Nigerian Northern village, 1970s. Notice the percular architectural style of the houses. These houses are built with a "natural air conditioning" system.


38. Women preparing a meal. Jos Plateau, Nigeria.1959. Observe the architectural beauty of the background buildings as well as the traditional "oven" behind the women. This is our indigenous technology.




[/b]


This brings us to the end of today's cultural session. Feel free to post more photos and comment on the ones posted. Do well to follow me for more cultural pieces and expose on various ethnic groups! Please avoid attacking my person as I am only a messenger and a writer! If I may have made controversial statements, kindly draw my attention to it calmly. Avoiding bringing up debates that border on tribalistic sentiments. We are NIGERIANS and we have come a long way!!!

This article, apart from the pictures and their exact titles, was written by Mathias Orhero (literarymathy@gmail.com)

Please if you want to comment or post a reply, do well to avoid quoting the original post so that graphics wont flood the thread. Thank you!!!

#epic

Adufetohposh:

Care to explain to reason behind those teeth ?

johnydon22:
Wow nice one, educating and intriguing... It is always a thing of joy going back to the days, seeing the wonderful rich colourful heritage that we are rich in.

Africa and Nigeria is filled with such colourful cultures that its almost a shame watching us get lost in other people's cultures letting ours slip down the drain and die a slow but painful death.

Its time we reconnected and preserved these rich cultures left by our fathers to us, it is our only identity in this world that distinguishes us from others and is very unique.

I love this... Proudly and always Repping Igbo 100%

Well said!!!

We come from great cultures and civilisations. What irks me most is that most of the youths of nowadays despise our roots. We are losing some of these old and cherished cultures slowly. May God help us.


Proudly a CULTURAL ACTIVIST!

Hahahah....funny thread.
If you had your way, you would have mentioned the whole nairaland members.
All the same, it's educative

Ibelong2God:
Hahahah....funny thread.

If you had your way, you would have mentioned the whole nairaland members.

All the same, it's educative

That's how we roll mhen

Scintillating

We do have one hell of beautiful cultures , it's unfortunate that we've failed to become a melting pot and form a beautiful mosaic.

Nigerians need to wake up and find a common ground else we remain like this.

booked

Truckpusher:
We do have one hell of beautiful cultures , it's unfortunate that we've failed to become a melting pot and form a beautiful mosaic.

Nigerians need to wake up and find and common ground else we remain like this.

So you never still change this your Moniker.. Truckpusher .. anytime I see the name I they laugh... The name ain't Related to you, or your people... U nor see names like Oilboiyy, Militantpusher, Truckoil , Militanttruck, phboiyy, Or even ur name.. na Truckpusher you choose ...

We are watching.

Cc : Scholes0 , Tonyebarcanista come and see o..

Freemanan:
Scintillating

Omokiniovo biko' ri' Ebey"' e dictionari rey' .. abeg help me with the meaning of this e'gramma Scintillating

35, can't believe 35 to be a wo man.

Goodboiy:


So you never still change this your Moniker.. Truckpusher .. anytime I see the name I they laugh... The name ain't Related to you, or your people... U nor see names like Oilboiyy, Militantpusher, Truckoil , Militanttruck, phboiyy, Or even ur name.. na Truckpusher you choose ...

We are watching.

Cc : Scholes0 , Tonyebarcanista come and see o..

Lmao....funny Waffi boy.

Omo! Die that thing - forget the moniker , fall in first.

Love it I wanted to start a new thread with my new collection but I will share here small small

Obi Okosi I on his instalation, 1913. The Roman Catholic caused drastic discontinuities in Onitsha Kingship tradition, and produced deep schisms in Onitsha community. Obi Okosi refused to perform most of the required Installation rituals (especially “Going to Udo” and receiving the “King’s Ofo), and his very crown for his initial Emergence was provided by the RCM, who moved physically into his new palace grounds. The crown he wore here does hold traditional bird feathers, but also features a prominent fleur-des-lis; he does appear to be holding the traditional horsetail switch of mourning, Otinri. At that time, a very large number of Ndi-Onicha refused to give the new Obi his customary tribute, ridiculing him as “the Book (educational) King” (Eze Akukwo) and “Foreigners’ King” (Eze Oyibo).

@OP....
1. Bonny is still occupied by IJAW people.

2. Opobo still remain Ijaw people.

3. We have Opobo son(Kel4soft) on this forum.


Make amends please...

Such an educating post.

Truckpusher:
We do have one hell of beautiful cultures , it's unfortunate that we've failed to become a melting pot and form a beautiful mosaic.

Nigerians need to wake up and find a common ground else we remain like this.

Amen to that. Diversity is Positivity.

TonyeBarcanista:
@OP....
1. Bonny is still occupied by IJAW people.

2. Opobo still remain Ijaw people.

3. We have Opobo son(Kel4soft) on this forum.


Make amends please...

@ fratermathy pls make amendment before This Ijaw boy start to Shoot Kala …

Goodboiy:


@ fratermathy pls make amendment before This Ijaw boy start to Shoot Kala …

If he like make he change am no be my problem. I've made my point! El finito

Goodboiy:


Omokiniovo biko' ri' Ebey"' e dictionari rey' .. abeg help me with the meaning of this e'gramma Scintillating

Heheheeh...
Mavo?

Nice attempt at history but some of your post are factually incorrect. The Annang people don't have a culture of fattening a lady b4 marriage, the Efiks do.
Also the masqurade shown and tagged Akwa cross isn't correct.
The Annang occupy ikot ekpene part of akwa ibom state.
There is nothing like efik/ibibio. Efik is the purest form of the language, though spoken by minority group; others are variant form of efik.

TonyeBarcanista:
@OP....
1. Bonny is still occupied by IJAW people.

2. Opobo still remain Ijaw people.

3. We have Opobo son(Kel4soft) on this forum.


Make amends please...

I stand corrected sir.

Goodboiy:


@ fratermathy pls make amendment before This Ijaw boy start to Shoot Kala …

I don run am.

Nice...but the ohaffia people stay in abia state not cross river