Hundreds of different ethnic groups combine in Nigeria, which makes any genealogical research an exciting exploration of diversity. The more you learn about your past family members, the more you can get to know how they fit into the world and how the influences surrounding them shaped your current life. Family is so important in this African nation, and you can carry on that value to your children and beyond.
Besides learning about resilience, community, and family ties, studying your Nigerian roots will also open up a world of celebrations, delicious foods to try, and music and art styles to experience. Beyond filling in names on your family tree, researching your ancestors helps you connect to an identity you may not know anything about at first.
Key Takeaways on Nigerian Genealogy
- Nigerian last names come directly from a father’s first name.
- The huge number of cultural groups in the country lead to highly diverse art and music.
- Jollof rice is a delicious and popular dish with spices, onions, and peppers.
- Each state and ethnic group in Nigeria has different celebrations and festivals.
Discover Nigerian Surnames and Their Meanings
With literally hundreds of different ethnic groups making up the country, finding your ancestors’ surnames tells an lot about where they came from and how they fit into the nation’s identity. Like in some other African countries, a father’s first name becomes their child’s last name. This often occurred only after school commenced, as documentation required more details than the given name for identity purposes. In more modern times, people often adopted their own surname to pass on to their children, especially those who immigrated to Europe or other western countries.
Some common Nigerian last names include Adebeyo, Oyewole, Okeke, Abdullahi, Ibrahim, and Bassey. Several of these and other popular options have roots in religious beliefs with meanings like ‘one who worships’ and simply ‘god.’ Birth, school, and immigration documents are common sources of tracing family names.
Music, Dance, and Artistry Tell a Story Through Time
These artistic displays are as diverse as the people who come from Nigeria. Yoruba talking drums help musicians tell stories while Igbo masked dances also share tales of past adventures and important cultural elements. A lot of music, dance, and other performances focus on ancestral history or religious celebrations. Especially in the north, these styles were heavily influenced by Islamic and European music that featured more brass instruments and different styles. There are simply too many different traditional styles to list.
The same holds true for art styles. Each comes from a different cultural tradition and ethnic group. The oldest, Nok, involves human and animal figures made from terra cotta clay. Yoruba styles use wood to make masks and a lot of beads. Igbo-Ukwu art focuses more on cast bronze for intricate jewelry and spiritual items.
Common and Specialty Nigerian Foods to Try
Although specific dishes depend on location and ethnic group, there are some common ingredients found in many. These include yams, plantains, cassava, rice, maize, and beans. Beef, goat, and chicken are the most used meats. Expect to see parts of the whole animal including organs, offal, and even skin featured in some dishes. Hot spices like chili, ginger, and onions feature prominently, too. There’s a strong tradition of wasting nothing.
If you want to celebrate your cultural heritage at home, you may have to search specialty grocers for ingredients. There are some substitutions like sweet potatoes for yams that can get you close. Good options to try include jollof rice with tomatoes and pounded yams with ogbono soup. In fact, soups and stews are some of the more common family dishes in Nigeria.
Celebrations, Festivals, and Beliefs in Nigeria
As usual, religious and spiritual festivals dominate the year in this African country. There is a heavy Christian influence, Islamic traditions, and indigenous beliefs mixed in. As you may find in your own study of genealogy, Nigerians have a very strong bond with their ancestors and extended family groups. More everyday practices focus on asking for their blessings and protection. Special celebrations take part at holidays and at important times of year such as the harvest.
The New Yam festival, for example, is celebrated by Igbo communities. A Yoruba celebration called Eyo features drummers, parades, and veiled masqueraders celebrating ancestors and more. Various groups hold fishing festivals to celebrate the season of the catch. Among the religious, times like Christmas, Easter, and various Eid celebrations also feature prominently in their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions on Nigerian Genealogy
How can I discover more about Nigerian family last names?
Understand first that last names are patronyms, meaning they come from the father’s first name. They represent a person’s parentage, ethnic group, and region. This has changed over the years and set surnames have become much more common. Your research methods at MyHeritage may have to change the further back you go.
What language did my ancestors speak?
This is a difficult question to answer before you know the specific region or ethnic group early members of your family tree hailed from. Nigeria has over 500 different languages or dialects, although Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba are the most common.
What dish should you make to get a real taste of Nigeria?
Jollof rice is relatively easy to make and palatable for most people. You can serve it with a variety of other Nigerian dishes like seasoned chicken or fried plantains. While different recipes exist, it primarily uses rice, pepper, tomato, onion, ginger, and chili.
Is there a primary art style used throughout history there?
No, as diverse as Nigeria is, it’s hard to pinpoint one or two art styles. As much as the music is, handcrafted items vary widely, too. The oldest was terra cotta figurines. Masks used in dance and procession were popular. Beads and bronze work feature heavily in various decorative arts through the ages.
What documents or records should I use when researching Nigerian ancestry?
With such a heavy influence of religion for most families in this country, birth, marriage, and death records created by the church offer a lot of information. School enrollment lists and immigration papers for members of the family who moved out of Nigeria can also help.
The post Being Nigerian: Traditions and Exploring Your Genealogy appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Source: My Heritage
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