Synopses & Reviews
Nigeria, one of the largest and most important countries in Africa, is rich in traditions and customs, both indigenous and modern.
Culture and Customs of Nigeria is the only concise, authoritative, and up-to-date discussion of Nigerian culture that introduces to a Western audience the complexity of its society and the emerging lifestyles among its various peoples. Students and other interested readers will learn about all major aspects of Nigerian culture and customs, including the land, peoples, and brief historical overview; religion and worldview; literature and media; art and architecture/housing; cuisine and traditional dress; gender, marriage, and family; social customs and lifestyles; and music and dance.
Nigerians are proud of their diverse culture comprising more than 250 ethnic groups. Important changes in their economy and political system are helping them cope with challenges in the modern world. Culture and Customs of Nigeria illuminates a dynamic society—how Nigerians today live, work, worship, interact, relax, and express themselves. Numerous photos, a chronology, and a glossary complement the text.
Review
[A] well articulated cultural history of Nigeria; the first of its kind. What is fascinating about the book is the simple but flowing language used, its elaborateness, and the coverage that is appealing to all audiences.Gloria Chuka Department of History The University of Memphis
Review
...this is the best book yet written on the subject. Falola writes with admirable clarity and extraodinary erudition. His discussion of cultures and customs of Nigeria is comprehensive, and transcends ethnicity and prevailing parochialism.Felix K. Ekechi Professor of History Kent State University
Review
An encyclopedic material on Nigerian culture and customs, from the remotest to the most widely known Nigerian ways of life, from local names of items, ideas, and concepts, to cultural styles and patterns. I cannot think of anything this book has not covered, language, politics, art and architecture, housing, village and city community structures, ethnic history, religion, traditional dress and fashion, marriage, family life, gender roles, dance, music, and ceremonies! This is the book for tourists, students from all levels of education from within and outside Nigeria, teachers, researchers on African culture, librarians, foreign diplomats who want to know Nigeria, and for the general public.Abdul-Rasheed Na'Allah Professor, African American Studies Department Western Illinois University
Review
Thought provoking and insightful, this well-crafted synthesis captures eloquently the multi-dimensional cultures of Nigeria. Written by a seasoned scholar of Nigeria, the simplicity of the language, elegance of style, and clarity of presentation make the book interesting and readable. The book will fulfill a long-felt need for an up-to-date coherent exposition of the cultural history of Nigeria.Abdebayo Oyebade, Assistant Professor, Department of History Tennessee State University
Review
Given Nigeria's ethnic diversity and cultural complexity, an attempt to write a volume on the country's cultures and customs could easily yield a confusing catalogue of unintegrated data. Falola has succeeded marvelously to avoid that problem; he has produced a masterpiece of synthesis that unerringly reveals the continuities and commonalities among the various segments of the country without disguising or discounting the complexity. He has presented a portrait of a huge country and its vibrant cultural heritage in a style that is highly readable. It will instruct and delight the casual reader coming to the subject afresh, as well as serious students already familiar with it.Oyekan Owomoyela Ryan Professor of African Literature Univeristy of Nebraska Lincoln
Synopsis
Nigeria, one of the largest and most important countries in Africa, is rich in traditions and customs, both indigenous and modern. Culture and Customs of Nigeria is the only concise, authoritative, and up-to-date discussion of Nigerian culture that introduces to a Western audience the complexity of its society and the emerging lifestyles among its various peoples. Students and other interested readers will learn about all major aspects of Nigerian culture and customs, including the land, peoples, and brief historical overview; religion and worldview; literature and media; art and architecture/housing; cuisine and traditional dress; gender, marriage, and family; social customs and lifestyles; and music and dance. Nigerians are proud of their diverse culture comprising more than 250 ethnic groups. Important changes in their economy and political system are helping them cope with challenges in the modern world. Culture and Customs of Nigeria illuminates a dynamic society--how Nigerians today live, work, worship, interact, relax, and express themselves. Numerous photos, a chronology, and a glossary complement the text.
About the Author
TOYIN FALOLA is the Frances Higginbothom Nalle Centennial Professor in History at the University of Texas, Austin.
Table of Contents
Series Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Religion and Worldview
Literature and Media
Art and Architecture/Housing
Cuisine and Traditional Dress
Gender Roles, Marriage, and Family
Social Customs and Lifestyle
Music and Dance
Glossary
Bibliographic Essay
Index