CULTURE OF NIGERIA

Marriage, children, and starting a family come the three common

expectations of an American citizen. A wife, children, family and extending the
family tree persist of all things which commonly expected in American society. The
culture of the United States takes the previous milestones in life for granted because
of the events occurring so often. However, in other cultures such as Nigerian culture
marriage, children, and family are considered true blessings. The west African
country Nigeria most of the citizens do not get married, have kids, or even know
their true roots of their family. Nigerian and American cultures conflict in some
ways but are similar in some aspects also.
Marriage defined in the United States as the love between two people
who decide they want to spend the rest of their lives together. However, the
characteristics of marriage are not viewed the same in all hemispheres of the world.
The Nigerians view marriage as one of the great milestones in life similar to the
United States. Marriage in Nigeria differs from United States in significant ways in
which most west Africans view as ginormous accomplishment because marriage
does not happen as often. A typical American marriage is organized by the bride and
groom however in Nigerian culture a union is often arranged between two families.
The father of the bride and father of the groom arrange the marriage entirely
(Meekers, 1992). "At an exceptionally young age (near thirteen or fourteen) the
marriage begins to be organized between the two children(Meekers, 1992). By the
marriage being put together at such a young age leads to a lot of confusion for when
a couple can officially considered a union.

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This confusion can be overcome by identifying specific events in the union

formation process. Information for an official marriage was collected on the
timing of three events in the union formation process; the consummation of
the union (in this case, the onset of the first sexual relations with the
husband), first cohabitation (when the couple begins to live with one
another), and the marriage ceremony (Meekers, 1992).
Each marital step of the process contributes certain values that help the marriage
succeed in a long-term aspect. The marital processes composed of several stages
between the preliminary rights and the full acceptance of the couple as a social unit
(Meekers, 1992). The first step in the process commonly known as the bride wealth
or the bride price. Payment of the husbands bride wealth, in part or in full,
guarantees the his rights to have sexual and economic services of his wife
(Meekers, 1992). The payment of the bride wealth is a process in which the
husband is required to help the brides family by supplying economic help, physical
labor, a supply of food and clothing (interview 1). After the brides price has been
paid to the family of the wife the consummation of the union not considered official
until given consent by the father.
After the following stage completes the marital process transitions into
the cohabitation stage. Similar to characteristics of marriage in the United States a
husband and wife prohibited having sexual relations based on the common religions
practiced in each of the two countries. Nigerians predominantly catholic and
practice much of the same religious practices of the United States.

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Prior sexual relations are not meant to occur before the cohabitation stage.
However if the couple does have sexual intercourse the women has to tell
their father when the first interaction took place to determine the start of the
union. During the cohabitation stage the roles switch from the man
impressing his wife to the women trying to impress the man by her showing
he is dominant in the relationship. (Meekers, 1992)
After the wife becomes reliant on her husband women begin to rely on her male
counter parts consent on rational decisions (Therborn, 2004)
The cohabitation stage lasts the longest of the three stages. The
cohabitation phase lasts for a few years before the final stage of marriage can be
completed. However cohabitation does not occur in every marriage. This only
occurs by permission or denial from the father of the wife for the cohabitation
stage (Meekers, 1992) By the father initially denying the cohabitation stage the
women remains in her parents household until she has borne several children, or
indeed she may never take up residence with her husband (Meekers, 1992) By a
women not moving in with her married husband may seem out of the norm in
American society however it is not unheard of in Nigeria and is viewed as a
situation that is not far from the norm. The previous marital situation is known as a
visiting union which does not occur often but does occur in some unions with an
agreement among fathers of the household. (Meekers, 1992) The final stage of the
process known as the marriage ceremony viewed by some as the greatest milestone
in Nigerian culture once completed. American marriage is only a bit different than

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the Nigerian celebration in which American weddings occur more commonly and
have a larger amount of people in attendance.
Although the process of the two participants marriage started at a
remarkably young age most marriages considered not official until adult hood. The
average West African union is formed twenty-five to twenty-nine years of age.
(Abanihe, 1994) By waiting until twenty nine years old allows the man and women
enough time to get to understand each other before marrying one another. In the
formal ceremony of marriage friends and family gather to honor the union that is
made between the husband and wife. After the ceremony is held the friends and
family of the married couple all celebrate. At this time the couple officially can be
declared a union (Meekers, 1992)
After the marriage ceremony and the celebration is complete the
husband is deemed full control over his wife. (Meekers, 1992) However if the two
people married do not succeed at their marriage the couple does not file a divorce.
American society is far different in which the slightest problem can end a marriage
in divorce. Nigerian culture tends to strongly opposed to divorce and despite the
couples differences the male is able to have a polygamous relationship with other
women. The wife is required to remain loyal to her husband throughout the full
process. Some men go through multiple marriages and have a plethora of wives and
other men never end up getting married once. (Meekers, 1992)
Marriage viewed as one of the immense celebrations of the Nigerian
culture however the largest celebration occurs after a child birth. Similar to
marriage having a child perceived as not common in Nigerian society. Babies are not

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born as often in this west African country due to the fear of contacting sexually
transmitted diseases that plague the country. Nigerian men in the relationship yearn
for children despite the risks. Given that Nigerian men are the dominant decision
makers within the family, and that they gain socially and economically from having
large numbers of children and wives(Isiugo and Abanihe, 1994). By men gaining
power by the more children they have they encourage their wives heavily on
reproducing children. Men are proud of the number of children they produce,
particularly sons, because of the future benefits arrived from them (Isiugo and
Abanihe, 1994). Women are less dominant and are required to listen to their male
counterparts however, women place a greater emphasis for bearing the physical
and emotional strains of child birth(Isiugo and Abanihe, 1994) Giving birth in west
Africa can be risky with many complications such as AIDS for the child and or the
mother. Although the prevalence of HIV/AIDS appears low in Nigeria, AIDS has
become a major public-health issue (Abanihe, 1994). For the previous reasons
women are afraid of reproducing and having sexual relations. Men view the
reproduction of children for granted in Nigerian society because the wife has to
comply to the request to reproduce. Although it is in the mans best interest to
reproduce he is also experiencing many risk factors (Isiugo and Abanihe, 1994).
Despite the continuing controversy between husband and wife for reproducing.
After a child birth family and all the towns people gather to celebrate. The birth of a
child leads to an even larger party than a marriage party. When a couple does have
a child this is known as a naming ceremony (Hafenden, 1977). The naming
ceremony takes place at the house of the mother of the child to be named seven days

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after birth. Modesty forbid the presence of the mothers father at the ceremony if the
child is being named in his first grandchild. A child is frequently called after its
grandfather, for its is believed that old men are reincarnated in the form of their
grandchildren(Isiugo and Abanihe, 1994) After the name has been given to the
child family and friends stay to celebrate the new member of their family.
Family structure and values in Nigeria are similar to most cultures but
different in some aspects as well. Nigerians have a sense of family pride that show
they are extremely proud of where they come from and what they stand for.
Emigrants that have moved away from their homeland are exceedingly patriotic for
their family roots and where they had come from. Most Nigerians after leaving their
country still carry a sense of pride of Nigerian nationalism. Nationalism of the
Nigerian people are supremely strong where there is strong patriotism, national
pride, and consumer ethnocentrism (Hafenden, 1977) Although American culture
has different morals and values Nigerians integrate to American society by showing
signs of respect and honor. They try and show their pride by always having a sign of
respect towards others. The sign of respect should act as mutual whether a man or
women however, the man has complete dominance over another women by giving
direct orders. Men are almost in complete control of family decisions such as
money, childrens education, health, marriage of the children, and work
problems(Therborn, 2004) Therefore Nigerian society is a masculine culture. For
this reason women adhere to traditional gender roles. Nigerians masculine culture
differs from the United States in which the US is a partially feminine culture. The
United States views a variety of roles are important regardless of sex. However in

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Nigeria by men having dominance over a woman, men generate the main force
driving behind every decision in their society. Although males are the main decision
makers of the country the women make up most of the agricultural workforce.
Women make up some 60-80 percent of agricultural labor force in Nigeria.
(Therborn, 2004) By women playing such a large part in the agricultural community
men treat them with the utmost respect.
Although each ceremony is practiced in a different way in Nigeria the
culture is quite similar to the U.S (Naz Isioma, personal communication, October 8,
2014). Naz Isioma a teenage Nigerian Immigrant was originally born in Nigeria
which is in west Africa and moved to the United States when he was 16 years
old(Naz Isioma, personal communication, October 8, 2014). He recalls the main
differences from America and Nigeria are you dont have to pay a bride price and
give stuff to have a wife and here in America there isnt a huge ceremony when a
baby gets born. The main thing about Nigeria is that when something good happens
it is a big deal. But here when someone gets married it is expected. (Naz Isioma,
personal communication, October 8, 2014) He continues on by explaining how his
family is very close knit and always eats dinner with each other(Naz Isioma,
personal communication, October 8, 2014). He also remarks that despite his dad
getting as job here in America he and his family moved to the United States to keep
in contact with one another. Although Naz departed away from his homeland in
Nigeria he states how he still feels connected in certain ways and continues taking
pride where he came from. My culture taught me how to be strong and smart and
to stay connected me and my brothers all gather around and watch Nigerian soccer

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10

national team play on TV (Naz Isioma, personal communication, October 8, 2014).

Naz later explains how he continues viewed as a stereotype of African Americans in
the United States. Out side of school though sometimes when Im in a grocery store
I feel people are looking at me to steal something. Some people view me as a thug
because Im black. (Naz Isioma, personal communication October, 8 2014) African
Americans committing crime more often than other races is viewed as the
stereotype most African Americans still have to over come in American society
today.
Kachi Obringa a 18 year old male cousins to Naz Isioma also states how he
feels a strong sense of patriotism coming from Nigeria. Although he had moved to
Nigeria at a very young age he still has fond memories for the experiences he
encountered living in Nigeria. The biggest differences he had face in his integration
into America he states Clearly the language, but other than that the weather. The
weather was really hard to get used to. I was freezing even when it was 50 out when
I first came here. In Nigeria it was warm all year around so we would always be
outside hanging out instead of being inside (Kachi Obringa, personal
communication, October 9, 2014). Although the major differences in language after
a few years Kachi adapted to American society but particularly similar to Naz he
faces decimation for his skin color. Kachi confesses how he feels getting discrimated
against by explaining I for sure have been discriminated against. It s strange
coming from a place where majority of the people are black like me then here where
I feel like almost everyone is white. I feel I get strange looks from people (Kachi
Obringa, personal communication, October 8, 2014). He also explains how Nigerian

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11

culture still has an impact on his life currently. He states my parents take a lot of
pride in there heritage. Even though I only lived in Nigeria for a few years I know my
original roots and am very proud of them (Kachi Obringa, personal communication,
October 9, 2014). Kachi and Naz both of them despite living in the US currently feel
more connected to their homeland and practice their culture on a day to day basis to
stay connected to their true roots.
Naz and Kachi both explain that despite them feeling predominately Nigerian
they have to make some changes to adapt to American society. Naz states I feel
confortable at home practicing my culture to its fullest however in school I have to
mix my two cultures together and associate my self as an American to make friends
(Naz Isioma, personal communication, October 2014). By Naz being able to adapt to
American culture he is able to make friends both Nigerian and American.
Nigeria is a culture that takes pride in their nation and heritage. Each large
step in life is perceived as a great importance to the community and family. Nigeria
differs from the United States in few ways but for the most part they are very
similar. Nigerian immigrants face struggles integrating their culture into the United
states with troubles such as discrimination however, Nigerian immigrants can
succeed to adapt to the American culture.

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Referenes:
Isiugo, C., Abanihe, U., (1994). Reproductive motivation and family size preferences
among Nigerian men. Studies In Family Planning 25(3), (149-161).
Therborn, G., (2004). African families in global context. The Nordic Africa Institute,
37(5), (1-50).
Hafenden, W., (1977). Ethnological notes on the shuwalbe group of the borroro fulani in
the kurafi district of keffi emirate, northern nigeria. The Journal of the Royal
Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland Vol. 57 pp(275-293).
Meekers, D., (1992). The process of marriage in african societies: a multiple indicator
approach. Dominique Meekers Population and Development Review Vol.18, No.
1 pp (61-74).

Abanihe, U., (1994). Extramarital relations and perceptions of hiv/aids in Nigeria

Health Transition Review Vol. 4, No. 2 pp (111-125).

( N. Isioma, personal communication, October 8, 2014).

( K. Obringa, personal communication, October 9, 2014)