Igbo Culture
Culture can be defined as the way a group of people choose to live their life, the way they dress, the way they talk, and an assortment of other things. They are numerous cultures in the world today and the Igbo culture happens to be one of the very intriguing ones out there. “The Igbo have a vibrant culture which many are proud of today” (1). There are approximately 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria. There are 3 main ethnic groups, the Hausa, Yoruba, and the Igbos (Badru 1). The Igbo people are located in the west side of Africa. As stated above they make up one of the main 3 ethnic groups and have a very unique culture. The Igbo people are often known for their intelligence and their literalness. Igbo people are very smart and perform
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in academics as if born with already knowing the information. They carry a certain pride and saying that “We are born great”. They are hardworking people who don’t wait for things to be given to them but instead go out and get them themselves. They want to succeed and are willing to work for it. In the Igbo culture failure is not an option or else they bring shame to their family. The Igbo people even go as far as naming their children what they want them to be in life. For example Nneoma and Ngozi mean good mother and those names are given to girls hoping that they’ll grow up and be good mothers and wives to their families. While the Igbo culture has a variety of different aspect it comes down to 3 key points, respect, family, and public appearance. The Igbo people show respect in a variety of ways. In the Igbo culture, “neglecting to greet another person or rushing through a greeting is a sign of disrespect” (3). The Igbo’s take respect very seriously especially in the younger generation growing up. For instance, it is a sign of disrespect to give or take something with the left hand. They are raised to, “pass objects with the right hand or both hands” (3). That is the way that Igbo elders were raised and they try to instill that in their children today. What many would think as regular everyday sayings or doings the Igbos make find offensive. For example, when being greeted by someone, especially an elder, one cannot respond with “hi” but with a “fine”. It seems like an everyday thing to greet someone with hi but not in the Igbo culture. Another sign of respect is looking after their parents when they get old. So often in today’s world, in America, do people dump their parents off in nursing homes when they get old. In the Igbo culture it can be described as an abomination to leave parents at nursing homes and not have them living at home with the family. Nigerians respect and care for their parents too much to do that to them (Nigeria). The Igbo people love, “maintaining family and friendship ties” that are not easily broken (3). Never could a child from the Igbo tribe say that they don’t have family or people who love them. Igbos has an old saying that, “It takes a village to raise a child” and they take it literally. While most people like to distance themselves from some family members, “Nigerians visit their relatives frequently and unannounced guest are welcome” (3). Many families even open up their home to their children’s spouses when they get married. “Nigerians view family as a source of strength and comfort”, and it is traditional for a wife to leave her home and go live with her husband’s family (3). The husband’s family would aid in the raising of the children which, “was seen as the responsibility of the entire family” (3). In Igbo families the male is the head of the house and the woman is the helper. The man is responsible for providing for the family and the woman is responsible for taking care of the home and kids (Nigeria). As time goes on woman are starting to want more independence which is allowed but they are still responsible for all of their household duties. It is traditional for when a man come homes for the woman to be as an attendant to him. She is expected answer to all his request and works to make sure he is comfortable after his long hard day of work. Every family is different in the way they exactly do things but one thing for sure is that every person is important in the part that they play in the family. The Igbo’s, being the proud people they are, “prefer traditional African fashions to western clothing” (3).
They take pride and enjoyment in the characteristics of their culture. To the Igbo people public appearance is everything. From what they wear, to how their kids act, and even how big their daughters are when they get married. It is notorious that, “Nigerian fabrics are known for their bright colors and unique patterns” (3). That is what makes them so special and unique to look at. People are judged upon the quality of their clothes, how it is made, and what the material is. They even use their kids to elevate their personal appearance. Throughout the whole Igbo culture, “Children are taught to be unassertive, quiet, and respectful in their interactions with adults” (3). To the Igbo’s having upright respectful kids means a lot. It means that they are parenting and disciplining their children correctly. No one wants a wild misbehaved child going along with them in public. Children from a young age help out with cleaning and farming which looks good from an outside eye (Nigeria). It shows that your child is respectful, hardworking, and obedient. The Igbo people even go as far as taking pride in the size of their daughter when they get married. To the Igbos bigger is better and, “For many, heaviness is an indication of beauty and wealth” (3). It is understood that the bigger a woman is the more money her family has because she is eating so much. Some may think that women of these points are uncanny but this is just the unique way Igbos do and think about
things. In conclusion, it is no secret what is important to the Igbo culture, respect, family, and public appearance. Those three points are key factors as to how most people live their life. The Igbo culture is just a fascinating culture in itself. They do things that seem foreign to most but that’s just the kind of people that they are. Why yes it’s different it’s theirs and they seem to be doing just fine with it.
in academics as if born with already knowing the information. They carry a certain pride and saying that “We are born great”. They are hardworking people who don’t wait for things to be given to them but instead go out and get them themselves. They want to succeed and are willing to work for it. In the Igbo culture failure is not an option or else they bring shame to their family. The Igbo people even go as far as naming their children what they want them to be in life. For example Nneoma and Ngozi mean good mother and those names are given to girls hoping that they’ll grow up and be good mothers and wives to their families. While the Igbo culture has a variety of different aspect it comes down to 3 key points, respect, family, and public appearance. The Igbo people show respect in a variety of ways. In the Igbo culture, “neglecting to greet another person or rushing through a greeting is a sign of disrespect” (3). The Igbo’s take respect very seriously especially in the younger generation growing up. For instance, it is a sign of disrespect to give or take something with the left hand. They are raised to, “pass objects with the right hand or both hands” (3). That is the way that Igbo elders were raised and they try to instill that in their children today. What many would think as regular everyday sayings or doings the Igbos make find offensive. For example, when being greeted by someone, especially an elder, one cannot respond with “hi” but with a “fine”. It seems like an everyday thing to greet someone with hi but not in the Igbo culture. Another sign of respect is looking after their parents when they get old. So often in today’s world, in America, do people dump their parents off in nursing homes when they get old. In the Igbo culture it can be described as an abomination to leave parents at nursing homes and not have them living at home with the family. Nigerians respect and care for their parents too much to do that to them (Nigeria). The Igbo people love, “maintaining family and friendship ties” that are not easily broken (3). Never could a child from the Igbo tribe say that they don’t have family or people who love them. Igbos has an old saying that, “It takes a village to raise a child” and they take it literally. While most people like to distance themselves from some family members, “Nigerians visit their relatives frequently and unannounced guest are welcome” (3). Many families even open up their home to their children’s spouses when they get married. “Nigerians view family as a source of strength and comfort”, and it is traditional for a wife to leave her home and go live with her husband’s family (3). The husband’s family would aid in the raising of the children which, “was seen as the responsibility of the entire family” (3). In Igbo families the male is the head of the house and the woman is the helper. The man is responsible for providing for the family and the woman is responsible for taking care of the home and kids (Nigeria). As time goes on woman are starting to want more independence which is allowed but they are still responsible for all of their household duties. It is traditional for when a man come homes for the woman to be as an attendant to him. She is expected answer to all his request and works to make sure he is comfortable after his long hard day of work. Every family is different in the way they exactly do things but one thing for sure is that every person is important in the part that they play in the family. The Igbo’s, being the proud people they are, “prefer traditional African fashions to western clothing” (3).
They take pride and enjoyment in the characteristics of their culture. To the Igbo people public appearance is everything. From what they wear, to how their kids act, and even how big their daughters are when they get married. It is notorious that, “Nigerian fabrics are known for their bright colors and unique patterns” (3). That is what makes them so special and unique to look at. People are judged upon the quality of their clothes, how it is made, and what the material is. They even use their kids to elevate their personal appearance. Throughout the whole Igbo culture, “Children are taught to be unassertive, quiet, and respectful in their interactions with adults” (3). To the Igbo’s having upright respectful kids means a lot. It means that they are parenting and disciplining their children correctly. No one wants a wild misbehaved child going along with them in public. Children from a young age help out with cleaning and farming which looks good from an outside eye (Nigeria). It shows that your child is respectful, hardworking, and obedient. The Igbo people even go as far as taking pride in the size of their daughter when they get married. To the Igbos bigger is better and, “For many, heaviness is an indication of beauty and wealth” (3). It is understood that the bigger a woman is the more money her family has because she is eating so much. Some may think that women of these points are uncanny but this is just the unique way Igbos do and think about
things. In conclusion, it is no secret what is important to the Igbo culture, respect, family, and public appearance. Those three points are key factors as to how most people live their life. The Igbo culture is just a fascinating culture in itself. They do things that seem foreign to most but that’s just the kind of people that they are. Why yes it’s different it’s theirs and they seem to be doing just fine with it.