Sources describe nigeria as a multi ethnic nation in which nigerians generally identify more strongly with their ethnic group than with their nationality halliru apr. Nigeria is home to over 250 ethnic groups, with over 500 languages, and the variety of customs, and traditions among them gives the country great cultural diversity. Because of strong religious and ethnic hostility, some. We hope to answer any question you might have about nigeria tribes here. A threat to national development ikyase johnkennedy tersoo department of political science federal university wukari egberi anthony ejue department of political science federal universsity wukari nigeria abstract the phenomenon of ethnic militia and insurgency has become a household discussion in nigeria. This paper investigates the consequences of the demo. Bambora bambarawa banda bandawa banka bankalawa bashiri bashirawa kaduna state, kogi state, niger state, plateau state. List of all ethnic groups in nigeria and their states. From this demographic and historical starting point, nigeria has evolved a tripolar ethnic structure, which forms the main context for ethnic mobilization and contestation. Nigeria has been referred to as the giant of africa, due to the large population and distinct economic achievements in comparison to countries that surround this land. Aug 30, 2005 the national question in nigeria is probably one of the most complicated in the world with over 120 languages spoken, three main ethnic groups, none of which constitutes a majority of the population, and the religious divide between christians in the south and muslims in the north. Kamwe adamawa state and borno state republic of cameroon name of ethnic group state abayon cross river state. Pdf nigeria is a mosaic of many ethnolinguistic groups, some large.
A history of identities, violence, and stability in nigeria. Introduction nigeria is usually characterised as a deeply divided state in which major political issues are vigorously some would say violently contested along the lines of the complex. Within these ethnic groups are several tribes numbering 371. Among those people are over 250 ethnic groups and tribes, each with their own. Cultural identity implies freedom of association with groups, communities and ideologies which can go beyond national boundaries. The percentage of each ethnic group in the national total is the subject of intense political contestation.
People can and do have multiple identities that are complementary. Mar 10, 2010 the attempt to break away ultimately failed, and nigeria reintegrated the igbo majority region in 1970. Whether a member of an ethnic group can be identified by. The roots of nigerias religious and ethnic conflict the. The division of nigeria into three regions in 1946 by richard constitution for administrative convenience was directly associated with the three major ethnic groups yoruba, hausa and igbo. Jun 27, 2010 who are the marginalized peoples of nigeria. The geopolitical zones in nigeria are currently six in number, with each containing a set of people with similar culture, belonging to the same ethnic group or even sharing the same history. Other major ethnic groups of the north are the nupe, tiv, and kanuri. Nigeria is africas most populous country and has one of the largest aggregation of ethnic groups in africa. Nigerian food culture major tribes in nigeria and their. Managing ethnic and cultural diversity for national. Therefore, the problem with federalism in nigeria is the mixapplication or nonapplication of this clause especially as it has to do with power distribution awa, 1977. Approximately 50% of nigerians are urban dwellers, with the rate of urbanization being estimated at 4.
Ethnic structure, inequality and governance of the public sector in. Over several decades, kaduna, like other states of nigeria, has experienced outbreaks of. However, most nigerians are content with just their own ethnic group and this is quite bad for true patriotism and good neighbourliness. Religious bigotry between christians and moslems is one of the key causes of ethnic conflict in nigeria.
Ethnic groups in nigeria, their languages and states. For instance, in the first republic, the action group ag as a party metamorphosed from a yoruba cultural association i. Nigeria s large number of ethnic groups, inequalities among them in size, resource endowment, education and access to state power and resources, her highly developed and factionalized indigenous bourgeoisie, makes her ethnic situation perhaps the most complicated in africa. Nigeria is located in western africa with a population of over 180 million people as of 2016. In rural nigeria, igbo people are mostly craftsmen, farmers and traders. The peace corps, whose eastern caribbean regional headquarters is located in saint lucia, has volunteers. Just as we have many authors, so we have several definitions of the concept. Among those people are over 250 ethnic groups and tribes, each with their own culture and traditions. Nigeria is a mosaic of many ethnolinguistic groups, some large, many very small indeed, altogether numbering about 250. Nairaland forum nairaland general culture the four most popular ethnic group in nigeria 4069 views 25 most popular igbo masquerades meet wodaabe men, a fulani ethnic group who makeup for easy marriage, top 10 largest ethnic group in africa. The full list of ethnic groups in nigeria, their culture, languages, states, and region they can be found.
The ligaments of culture and development in nigeria olayinka akanle department of sociology, faculty of the social sciences, university of ibadan, nigeria abstract culture is the totality of ways and manners people live their lives and make sense of their existences. There are more than 300 nigerian tribes and among the largest include hausafulani, igbo, yoruba, ijaw, kanuri, annang, tiv, ibibio, etsako, and efik. List of over 350 ethnic groups in nigeria and the states they are found. Nigeria mali burkina faso benin c a m e r o o n libya map no. Nigerian tribes and their names for god different langauges as a multiethnic nation, nigeria encompasses diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Ethnic crises has the promise of even shattering nigeias dream for the 4ih republic starting from the year 2003. Department of political science and international relations, covenant university, p. May 10, 2017 nigeria is made up of several ethnic groups, majority of which are the igbo, hausa and the yoruba. Introduction the vilification of ethnicity as the scapegoat of all vices associated with the nigerian body polity has made the subject a dominant theme in the study of nigerian political economy. In october 1963, nigeria altered its relationship with the united kingdom by proclaiming itself a federal republic and promulgating a new constitution. Every nigerian knows the three major ethnic groups in the country but there are actuallly over 250 ethnic groups in the country. The ligaments of culture and development in nigeria. Nigeria s federal structure accommodates different religious groups, as well as one way the federal structure accommodates different ethnic groups in the country.
Niger niger 0 100 200 300 km 0 100 200 mi the boundaries and names shown and the designations. The yoruba ethnic group is an ethnic group found in south western nigeria and other parts of africa. Nigeria often called the federal republic of nigeria is located in the west of africa. While modernday nigeria is home to more than 250 ethnic groups, the four largest account for almost 70% of the population. Theoretical perspective 79 languages, customs and traditions gives the country a rich cultural diversity. Students were asked to identify what type of electoral system is used in nigeria and explain two ways that nigeria s electoral system accommodates different ethnic groups. This paper is a survey of the current situation of minority ethnic groups in nigeria. Nigerian food culture major tribes in nigeria and their food. There are both muslims and christians among members of the three major ethnic groups in nigeria. It is important however to remember that this nation came into being not by. Nigeria tribes and ethnic groups facts about nigeria.
Nigeria is a country in west africa, that shares borders with niger republic in the north, chad on the southeast side, cameroon republic on the east, and the republic of benin to the west. Nigeria is made up of several ethnic groups, majority of which are the igbo, hausa and the yoruba. History shows that religious intolerance was the cause of the riot that took place in kano on may 1, 1953 which began a series of violent attacks against nonmuslims in the country. Conceptual issues to begin with, ethnicity1 may be defined as the employment or mobilization of ethnic identity and difference to gain advantage in situations of competition, conflict or cooperation osaghae 1995. The four most popular ethnic group in nigeria culture nigeria. Pdf genetic variations among three major ethnic groups in. The major ethnic groups are the hausafulani of the. However, the simplified form of coined english known as pidgin english primary english lexicon is majorly spoken over the queens english. Although it has its own advantages and disadvantages, its advantages surpass the disadvantages. A history of identities, violence, and stability in nigeria by eghosa e. List of ethnic groups in nigeria, culture and states. Geography nigeria is the most populous country in africa and accounts for over half of west africas population.
The hausas are the biggest ethnic group in nigeria with approximately 25% of the nigerian population. Nigeria is said to be a british creation by uniting the various nationalities into a single country today known as the federal republic of nigeria. Ethnic minorities in the nigeriabiafra war, 19671970 cover page footnote acknowledgment i wish to thank j. No time in the history of nigeria has this phenomenon been so prominent as the present democratic dispensation. Views on whether respondents are members of ethnic groups in nigeria or not. Additionally, the ijaws are another major group with a. The cultural similarities of these two group, however, opened doors for a significant integration between the groups, who in modern times are often demarcated as hausafulani, rather than as individuated groups. Although oil is important to nigeria, the country is a small. And since ethnic diversity creates avenue for many other differences, it is never a surprising event that almost each nigerian tribe has its specific name for god, which brought the topic nigerian tribes and their names for. The people of igbo land speak igbo, which includes various igboid languages and dialects. It is the relationship between the diverse ethnic groups with the political environment that produces ethnicity. Bauchi, borno, niger,taraba, jigawa, kaduna, kano, kastina, kebbi, sokoto with. In the realm of nigerian politics no word or phrase has been so abused as the word marginalisation, especially as it relates to groups of people.
Nigeria is one of the major democracies in african continent. On the study of ethnicity in nigeria by ukoha ukiwo 1. Table 1, based on the 1963 census, gives an idea of the 12 largest ethnic groups in nigeria. Ethnic structure, inequality and governance of the public. Estimates of the number of ethnic groups in nigeria vary. Nigeria is found in west africa and borders benin, chad, cameroon, and niger. Due to its rich history, nigeria a country in west africahas a varied population comprised of different ethnic groups. Nigerian tribes and their names for god different languages. Hausa and fulani people nigeria people and culture. This is particularly important in a country like nigeria which has about 370 different ethnic groups alubo, 2006. The national question in nigeria is probably one of the most complicated in the world with over 120 languages spoken, three main ethnic groups, none of which constitutes a majority of the population, and the religious divide between christians in the south and muslims in the north. Sep 17, 2017 we hope to answer any question you might have about nigeria tribes here. In 20 the total number of yoruba people in nigeria was reported to be 36 million according to the cia world factbook making them one of the largest ethnic groups in africa. The major ethnic groups are the hausafulani of the north, the yoruba of the southwest, and the igbo of the southeast.
Recent statistics has shown that there is over 500 different tribes in nigeria. Ethnic conflicts in nigeria only the working class can. This can only exist within a plural political states such as nigeria with over four 400 languages. The population is roughly balanced between muslims and christians with a small minority of those who practice indigenous beliefs. Over the past few years thousands of people have been killed in ethnic clashes.
Around 50% of nigerians are muslims and 40% of people are christians. The following is a nonexhaustive list of ethnic groups in nigeria. Igbo people are one of the largest etnic groups in africa. There are different identities and segments in this society.
Ethnicity, ethnic crisis, and good governance in nigeria. Four years earlier, in 1956, oil had been discovered in the niger delta, and nigeria is now among the top 10 oil exporters in the world. Virtually all postcolonial censuses have produced contested results. It was former president ibrahim badamasi babangida who during his regime that introduced it while looking for a way to best allocate resources. Its coast in the south is located on the gulf of guinea in the atlantic ocean. Long before 1500, much of presentday nigeria was divided into states, which can still be linked to the modern ethnic groups that trace their history to the origins of these states.
These early states included the yoruba kingdoms, the edo kingdom of benin, the hausa cities, and nupe. List of six geopolitical zones in nigeria and their states. In the intense religious and ethnic turmoil of contemporary nigeria, the specific situation of the numerous ethnic minorities in the country is hardly mentioned. The world factbook countrylocation locator map modal. Lucia is a participant in the caribbean basin security initiative, a partnership between the united states and the countries of the caribbean dedicated to increasing citizen security throughout the region. The coming together of different ethnic groups gave birth to the nation called nigeria today. Adamawa state, borno state, taraba state, yobe state.
Other nigerian tribes apart from the ones listed constitute a smaller percentage of. The four most popular ethnic group in nigeria culture nairaland. The hausa ethnic group dominates the northern part of the country. Ethnic groups and conflicts ethnic group means different things to different people. Cultural similarities in nigeria and their differences. Nigeria has about 374 ethnic groups that are broadly divided into ethnic majorities and ethnic minorities. This ethnic group numbers roughly 4 million that is 3. The yoruba people are predominant in the southwest. According to linguists and also westermann and bryan, 1952, the ewe language ewegbe belongs to a member of the kwa family of sudanic languages. Hausa is the biggest tribe in nigeria they are the major inhabitants of about 10 states in nigeria which includes. As a result, in northern nigeria, minority ethnic groups, mostly christians, defined and still define themselves against the muslim hausafulani majority, under the political rubric of middle belt. This is a topic that creates both similarities and differences between tribes of the country. Ethnic politics and democratic consolidation in nigeria.
It has been estimated that nigeria has as much as 350 ethnic groups based on lingual classification. Ethnic conflict and sustainable development in nigeria. In fact, our diversity is one of our major strength as a nation. Nigeria can be said to be operating the federal system of government, whereas in actual practice, the country is tending towards a unitary system. Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups, the most populous and politically. Ahazuem of the university of nigeria, nsukka, for granting me interviews and permitting me to use some transcripts of the oral interviews his team conducted on the nigeriabiafra war. Kaduna state, bauchi state, taraba state, jigawa state, kano state, kebbi state, niger state, kastina state, borno state, and sokoto state. Ethnic and religious crises in nigeria african journals online. The following are the most frequentlyused definitions of ethnic groups. Nigeria is mainly an englishspeaking population but diverse ethnicity.
In fact, nigeria is indeed a variegated political enti ty, multi ethnic, multilingual, multireligious, and multicultural. Some nigerian ethnic groups and their dressing styles. In an ethnic democracy such as nigeria, the wealth of a group is correlated with its. List of all ethnic groups in nigeria and their states over the years, nigeria is said to have about 250 ethnic groups. The origin, development, ethnic politics, impacts, postcolonial governance. It is not surprising therefore that the first political parties were formed along ethnic lines. Violence among muslim and christian ethnic groups was largely kept in check by a succession of military regimes until 1999, when nigeria returned to civilian rule. The ibibio is the most ancient of all the ethnic groups in the region besides this, they have an amazing artistic culture of wooden carvings, weaving, and masks making. Kamwe adamawa state and borno state republic of cameroon. These three hegemonic ethnic groups constituted 57. Hausa has the largest population among all ethnic groups in nigeria. Are you a member of any of the ethnic groups in nigeria.
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