Nigerian Culture Today
Nigerian Culture Today
Globalization is something that has left not one place on this earth untouched. Everywhere, countries are constantly changing and adapting their cultures to become more industrialized and urbanized – more modern. Nigeria is one of those countries. Like most globalized countries, Nigeria has strayed far from the path of traditional culture, and adopted numerous new aspects of culture of a global nature. In Nigeria, though, globalization has occurred rather quickly. Nigeria 's culture today differs drastically from its culture just half a century ago in the 1960s, having been largely negatively impacted by globalization. One factor of globalization- urbanization- has greatly impacted the lives of Nigerians. The transition from rural areas to urban dwellings has definitely transformed the dynamics of African family life. Decades ago, the Nigerian people lived in small villages, consisting of hand-made huts (Baldwin). Wherever they needed a home, they simply built one. In the cities, where now 30-40% of Nigeria’s population resides, however, housing has become a problem (ERSO). There aren 't many available places to live, and people are now living anywhere they possibly can – in fields, in abandoned lots, and on the streets. The demand for housing is high – around 60% of Nigerians are living under-housed or without housing. Residential ownership in Nigeria has dropped to less than 25%, compared to 75%, internationally (ERSO). Adding to Nigerians ' problems, jobs are now also reasonably difficult to find. Unemployment rates are rising, as more people migrate to the cities (Muyale-Manenji). In stark contrast to the traditional ways of African culture, many men are currently without jobs. Because of this, more wives have to work outside of the home, a scenario that decades ago, had never even been deemed a possibility. African women are now a great supplement to their family’s income, with the majority of women holding jobs
Globalization is something that has left not one place on this earth untouched. Everywhere, countries are constantly changing and adapting their cultures to become more industrialized and urbanized – more modern. Nigeria is one of those countries. Like most globalized countries, Nigeria has strayed far from the path of traditional culture, and adopted numerous new aspects of culture of a global nature. In Nigeria, though, globalization has occurred rather quickly. Nigeria 's culture today differs drastically from its culture just half a century ago in the 1960s, having been largely negatively impacted by globalization. One factor of globalization- urbanization- has greatly impacted the lives of Nigerians. The transition from rural areas to urban dwellings has definitely transformed the dynamics of African family life. Decades ago, the Nigerian people lived in small villages, consisting of hand-made huts (Baldwin). Wherever they needed a home, they simply built one. In the cities, where now 30-40% of Nigeria’s population resides, however, housing has become a problem (ERSO). There aren 't many available places to live, and people are now living anywhere they possibly can – in fields, in abandoned lots, and on the streets. The demand for housing is high – around 60% of Nigerians are living under-housed or without housing. Residential ownership in Nigeria has dropped to less than 25%, compared to 75%, internationally (ERSO). Adding to Nigerians ' problems, jobs are now also reasonably difficult to find. Unemployment rates are rising, as more people migrate to the cities (Muyale-Manenji). In stark contrast to the traditional ways of African culture, many men are currently without jobs. Because of this, more wives have to work outside of the home, a scenario that decades ago, had never even been deemed a possibility. African women are now a great supplement to their family’s income, with the majority of women holding jobs
Cited: White, C. Todd. "Nigeria." Our World: Nigeria (2010): 1. MAS Ultra – School Edition. EBSCO. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. "HIV & AIDS in Nigeria." AIDS & HIV Information from the AIDS Charity AVERT. 2011. Web. 20 Mar. 2011. . Alemika, Etannibi EO, and Innocent C. Chukwuma. Criminal Victimization and Fear of Crime in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. Cleen Foundation, 2005. PDF. Muyale-Manenji, Fridah. "The Effects of Globalization on Culture in Africa in the Eyes of an African Woman." Oikoumene.org. World Council of Churches, 1 Jan. 1998. Web. 15 Mar. 2011. . ERSO. ERSO Expert Meeting - Nigeria. Stockholm: ERSO, 2008. PPT. CIA. "CIA - The World Factbook - Nigeria." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2011. . Bureau of African Affairs. "Gradual Reform." Background Notes: Nigeria. Bureau of African Affairs, 2011. 7. Print. Baldwin, Robert J. "Nigerian Culture." Personal interview. 15 Mar. 2011.