The yoruba people are predominant in the southwest. The tiv people belong to a minor ethnic group in nigeria numbering about six million. Pdf genetic variations among three major ethnic groups in. Whether a member of an ethnic group can be identified by physical. In fact, nigeria is indeed a variegated political enti ty, multiethnic, multilingual, multireligious, and multicultural. List of all ethnic groups in nigeria and their states over the years, nigeria is said to have about 250 ethnic groups. These vary from tales of people descending from the sky to stories of migration from faroff places.
In nigeria, the ethnic groups are occasionally fusions created by intermarriage, intermingling andor assimilation. Nigeria is a multiethnic and culturally diverse society that has witnessed conflicts arising from this ethnic and cultural diversity. The framework of analysis adopted by this study is the group theory which. 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. This ethnic group is based in the following states. Seems like somebody made this thing up for special effects. Though this has contributed to the countrys rich cultural life, it has also at times been the source of tensions between different groups over. 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. 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. This paper expounds such conceptual issues as ethnicity, cultural diversity, federalism and national integration and then presents the historical background to ethnic and cultural conflicts in nigeria. Managing ethnic and cultural diversity for national. Nigeria is a multi ethnic and culturally diverse society that has witnessed conflicts arising from this ethnic and cultural diversity. Following this, the themes that have dominated the study of ethnicity in nigeria are examined, outlining some of the neglected issues.
Ethnic conflict and sustainable development in nigeria. This article is focused on the historical incidents of ethnic conflicts in within nigeria societies, the cause of the conflicts and perhaps, the government actions towards ethnic conflict in the country. Well, we have decided to bring to you the list of all ethnic groups in nigeria and their states. They are related to the anaang and the efik peoples. In the case of nigeria situation, disturbing history of colonialism, this generated hatred and conflict among different ethnic groups. Hausa and fulani 29%, yoruba 21%, igbo ibo 18%, ijaw. May 10, 2017 nigeria is made up of several ethnic groups, majority of which are the igbo, hausa and the yoruba. Nigeria is located in western africa with a population of over 180 million people as of 2016. 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. 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. The three major ethnic groups in nigeria are hausa, yoruba, and igbo. These common factors are emphasized by frequent interaction between the people in the group. In southwest nigeria, which has large christian and muslim populations, the yoruba is the largest ethnic group. List of minority ethnic groups in nigeria nigerian infopedia.
Conceptual issues to begin with, ethnicity1 may be defined as the employment or mobilization of ethnic. Ethnic militials therefore are organised violenceoriented groups populated by diverse elements, cutting across different age strata, but drawing membership exclusively from an ethnic group and established to promote and protect the interests of an ethnic group. Just as we have many authors, so we have several definitions of the concept. African americans, and for ethnicityethnic group to be reserved for other segments of the us population. Among those people are over 250 ethnic groups and tribes, each with their own culture and traditions. Kamwe adamawa state and borno state republic of cameroon name of ethnic group state abayon cross river state. Culture of nigeria history, people, clothing, traditions.
This ethnic group dominates the eastern part of nigeria. List of all ethnic groups in nigeria and their states. The following is a nonexhaustive list of ethnic groups in nigeria. And in what practical ways can ethnicity be best contained in nigeria. This characterisation is generally acceptable in the sense that certain ethnic groups and governmental societies were split and located within the colonial state territories of different european powers, following the 1884 berlin conference and the subsequent legal instruments.
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. Within these ethnic groups are several tribes numbering 371. 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 nairaland 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 2 3 4. The yoruba ethnic group is an ethnic group found in south western nigeria and other parts of africa. The origin, development, ethnic politics, impacts, postcolonial governance. This ethnic group numbers roughly 4 million that is 3. Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups, the most populous and politically. Nigeria is extremely diverse, with hundreds of ethnic groups and even more languages governed through a federal system of 36 separate states, each with their own ethnic and religious composition. Explore the eight largest ethnic groups in nigeria below. They have a rich history associated with their existence. Nigeria was forcefully done without the peoples consent. Here comes the third largest ethnic group in nigeria.
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. This was a major seed of conflict that is still troubling nigeria today. The full list of ethnic groups in nigeria, their culture, languages, states, and region they can be found. Other major ethnic groups of the north are the nupe, tiv, and kanuri.
It shares the southern part as well with the yoruba ethnic group. An average nigerian knows that the 3 most popular ethnic groups in nigeria is the igbo, hausa and yoruba. Nigeria is said to be a british creation by uniting the various nationalities into a single country. Nigeria is made up of several ethnic groups, majority of which are the igbo, hausa and the yoruba. Would it surprise you to hear that nigeria has more than 300 ethnic groups.
Prevalence of female genital mutilation fgm, including ethnic groups in which fgm is prevalent, particularly in lagos state and within the edo ethnic group. Nigeria is a plural society and it is made up of over 250 ethnic groups with many subgroups three ethnic groups yoruba, hausa and igbo dominate the political landscape. Theoretical perspective 79 languages, customs and traditions gives the country a rich cultural diversity. Ethnic politics has become a formidable force in the political life of nigeria. 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. Ukpo calls an ethnic group a group of people having a common language and cultural values 10. From the empirical evidences around the world, the study concludes that a political. African americans, and for ethnicity ethnic group to be reserved for other segments of the us population. List of ethnic groups in nigeria, culture and states. The following are the most frequentlyused definitions of ethnic groups. A history of identities, violence, and stability in nigeria. Ethnic militias is an extreme form of ethnic agitation for self.
Nigeria s social boundaries are often described as artificial. For instance, in the case of appointment, round pegs are no longer found in round holes. In fact, nigeria is indeed a variegated political enti ty, multi ethnic, multilingual, multireligious, and multicultural. I honestly do not think we have anything close to 100 ethnic groups in the right sense of the word. Mar 09, 2020 the full list of ethnic groups in nigeria, their culture, languages, states, and region they can be found. Nigerias social boundaries are often described as artificial. They make up 70% of the total population in nigeria.
The most populous and politically influential include. The culture and tradition of the tiv people of benue state. These early states included the yoruba kingdoms, the edo kingdom of benin, the hausa cities, and nupe. Over the past few years thousands of people have been killed in ethnic clashes. Archaeologists have found evidence of neolithic humans who inhabited what is now nigeria as far back as 12,000 b. At the end of this article, youll be able to decide if that statement is true not. It has been estimated that nigeria has as much as 350 ethnic groups based on lingual classification. The culture and tradition of the tiv people is one that is envied by many who come in contact with them. Between ethnicity, nationality and development in nigeria. Hausa and the ibowho are now apparently locked in grave confrontation. This study examines the interplay between ethnicity, nationality and development in nigeria. See also ethnic groups of the middle east arab, up to ca. Ethnic groups and conflicts ethnic group means different things to different people. Ethnic groups in nigeria, their languages and states.
Most often, ethnic sentiments are used in place of merit and skills. Jul 18, 2019 nigeria is found in west africa and borders benin, chad, cameroon, and niger. Abia state, ebonyi state, benue state, anambra state, imo state, delta state, enugu state, and rivers state. 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. 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. Virtually all postcolonial censuses have produced contested results. The task of addressing this seed of conflict planted by the british has been a complex one.
The four most popular ethnic group in nigeria culture. Every ethnic group in nigeria has its own stories of where its ancestors came from. Ethnic politics and democratic consolidation in nigeria. The percentage of each ethnic group in the national total is the subject of intense political contestation. The population is roughly balanced between muslims and christians with a small minority of those who practice indigenous beliefs. Nigeria is found in west africa and borders benin, chad, cameroon, and niger. 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.
While the minority ones are people of different ethnic groups found in the northern and southern parts of nigeria galadima. Ethnic group is viewed as a biological group with the same culture, symbols and. All other ethnic groups are swept under the carpet. An article on nigeria s identifiable ethnic groups. During colonial period in nigeria, the ibibio union asked for. The main causes of ethnic and crosscultural religious conflict is a struggle for political supremacy among the major ethnic groups hausa, yoruba and ibo and for access to natural resources mainly oil, as well as the lack of representation of interests of nondominant ethnic groups. List of ethnic groups in nigeria and their states oasdom. 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. List of ethnic groups in nigeria, culture and states peakng. Table 1, based on the 1963 census, gives an idea of the 12 largest ethnic groups in nigeria. First, that people often perceive their ethnic identity in essentialist terms. Ethnic conflicts in nigeria only the working class can. Southeast nigeria is largely christian and is dominated by the igbo ethnic group. The vast majority of the population of northern nigeria identifies as muslim, and is primarily from the hausafulani ethnic group.
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