Group+Five

**~*Nigerian Cultural Festival*~** >    ** Nigerian-British ** >>  >> **Religions and the Islamic Dominance **        Religion in Nigeria is what a person would call hodge-podge. Nigeria is made up of many different religions throughout the country and all those religions are spread out. Islam dominates the northern portion and holds strong numbers in the South Western, Yoruban portion of the country (Kenny1). Protestantism and local syncretism Christianity are also evidence in Yoruba areas, while Cathocism predominates in the Igbo and closely related areas. Both Protestantism and Catholicism dominated in the Ibibio, Annang, and the Efik lands. The 1963 census indicated that 47 percent of Nigerians were Muslim, 35 percent Christian, and 18 percent members of local indigenous congregations(Lapidus). Seeing as how Islam is the greatest influence in Nigeria, it is important to look at how the religion works. The word “Islam” means to submit or sacrifice yourself to God. It is believed that God has full knowledge and control over everything. Joseph says, "In Islamic theology, divine preordainment does not suggest an absence of God's indignation against evil, because any evils that do occur are thought to result in future benefits men may not be able to see, which basically means that though things seem bad now, they are for a reason" (Kenny1). It will get better later. The basic unit of Islamic society is the family, and Islam defines the obligations and legal rights of family members. The father is financially responsible for the household, and is obligated to take care of them. The division of inheritance is specified in the Qur'an, a religious text, which states that most of it is to pass to the immediate family, while a portion is set aside for the payment of debts and the making of a will. The woman's share of inheritance is generally half of that of a man with the same rights of succession. Marriage in Islam is a civil contract   which consists of an offer and acceptance between two qualified parties in the presence of two witnesses, generally the mother and father of the bride(Kenny1). The groom is required to pay a bridal gift to his future wife. Men are allowed to marry up to four women at a time only if he is able to treat each wife in the same way. A woman, however, is only allowed to be married to one man at a time. Religion is a very large influence in the way a family is structured, the way an individual creates and makes decisions and the way a person will live their life. No matter the location, whether it is in the United States or England, the religious customs and practices an individual grows up with seems to follow him or her everywhere and therefore knowing about the person’s religious practices becomes essential in order to find meaning and understanding about said person.
 * The festival would be based in Southern London where the majority of the United Kingdom's Nigerian population is centered. This would enable the native Nigerian customs to be effectively portrayed due to the close proximity of the Nigerian people
 * Music is a fundamental, and far-reaching cultural connector. Fela Sowande a Nigerian musician, believed that music was the one item that should never be segregated, but should be used to connect diversive culture's. We seek to rid the view of African Music as being primitive, and to give the credit that African Music deserves. Nigerian Music, like the West has many genre's, and this festival should be utilized, to bring awareness to Nigeria's overlooked contributions to music. The festival, would also be used to contribute to efforts in saving folkloric music, by recording them for future generations.
 * Learning about the religious aspects in certain areas across the globe would allow people to better understand various cultures that are not apart of their community. Islam is very much apart of the Nigerian culture and in order to better understand the Nigerian people, knowing a little about their religion is essential.
 * Art is everywhere, every item we have has been designed in some creative way, as individuals we choose to have specific items that appeal to our aesthetics -in turn these items represent who we are. So, one way to know more about a culture is to know more about its art, and therefore, how it is used to represent that culture. We have talked to some well-known Nigerian-British artists, and in hearing about this festival, they are excited to bring some of their work and participate at our booth, so that you can experience a little insight into the life of Nigerian people living in Britain.
 * Food is an essental part of life, and is a good way to connect different people from different places all over the world. This festival will have a number of booths where the food of Nigeria can be bought, eaten, and taught how to cook. By introducing the people of Britain to the food of Nigeria, we can expand their horizons not only by opening their eyes to the food Nigerian people eat, but also to the way they live and why they have come to eat these special foods.
 * History of Nigeria** (according to Wikkipedia.org)
 * Nigerian history dates back to at least 9000 BC
 * 8th most populus country in the world with a population of over 140 million
 * On January 1, 1901 Nigergia became a British proctectorate, part of the British Empire (which was the foremost world power at the time)
 * Ethnocentrism/tribalism/sectarianism/prebendalism have all played significant roles in Nigerian politics and therefore cause a lot of internal turmoil for the Nigerian people.
 * Nigeria's three largest ethnic groups - the Hausa, Yorba, and Igbo - have maintained historical preeminence in Nigerian politics and society and competition amongst these three groups has fulled a lot of corruption.
 * There are currently between 800,000 and 3 million people of Nigerian descent in the United Kingdom - according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
 * Southern London is the center of the Nigerian population in the United Kingdom.
 * The United Kingdom is home to the world's second largest Nigerian population, behind Nigeria itself.
 * - Marisa Katzman

**Praying** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">media type="youtube" key="mdEchBDPVhs" height="344" width="425" <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the Islamic tradition, prayer time is a time of cleanising of the mind, body and soul. Taking a bath and wearing clean clothes are essential. God knows all that you do and the only way to ask fogiviness for sins commited is to pray. There are five times a day that a Musslim prays: > It can be performed at any time between the breaking of the dawn till just before sunrise. > Its time begins after the sun declines from its zenith until it is about mid-afternoon. > Its time begins soon after the time for Zuhr prayer ends and extends to just before sunset. > Its time begins just after sunset and extends to a period of an hour and a half. > Its time begins about an hour and a half after sunset and extends to dawn. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This information can be found: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://www.islam-usa.com/pray1.html <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">media type="youtube" key="UlLaUCAQlQQ" height="344" width="425" [This is an Islamic call to prayer]
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Morning Prayer (**//SALAT-UL-FAJR//**)
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Noon Prayer (**//SALAT-UL-ZUHR//**)
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Afternoon Prayer (**//SALAT-UL-ASR//**)
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Evening Prayer (**//SALAT-UL-MAGHRIB//**)
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Night Prayer (**//SALAT-UL-ISHA//**)

The most sacred place in Islam is the Ka'ba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Ka'ba is a mosque built by Abraham according to Muslim tradition. It's built around a black stone that holds to Tree of Life (Creation). "There are also various opinions as to what the Black Stone actually is. Muslims say that the Stone was found by Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Ismail) when they were searching for stones with which to build the Kaaba" (http://www.crystalinks.com/blackstone.html). According to Islamic tradition, the Stone fell from Heaven to show Adam and Eve where to build an altar and offer a sacrifice to God.It started out as a white but through the years and the build up of sins, the stone changed to black.The Muslims recognized its worth and made it one of the building's cornerstones.Ka'ba is believed to be the first location ever created on Earth, almost like the Garden of Eden in the Christian religion. Thousands of people flock to this location to pray once a year, the last lunar month of the Islamic calendar. In 2008, it starts on November 30th and goes until December 28th.The official starting point of the walk around the Kaaba (Black Stone), that forms the core of the holy pilgrimage, is called the //hajj.// During the Tawaf pilgrims kiss or touch the black stone as they circumambulate the Ka'ba. Some Muslims believe that the stone has powers. Touching or kissing the stone is suppose to count in their favor on judgment day but the main reason Muslims kiss the stone is simply because Muhammad did. Though some may see the stone as a powerful object, many Muslims regard the Stone as 'just a stone'. When Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Caliph, came to kiss the stone, he said, in front of all assembled: "No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither harm anyone nor benefit anyone. Had I not seen Allah's Messenger kissing you, I would not have kissed you." They pay their respects to the Black Stone in a spirit of trust in Muhammad, not with any belief in the Black Stone itself. The stone is 60 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 60 feet high. ( <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://www.crystalinks.com/blackstone.html <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">). media type="youtube" key="aLFYMkQPakE" height="344" width="425" <span style="font-size: 160%; background-color: rgb(37, 255, 0);">Nigerian Dialects and Languages
 * According to Wikipedia.org there are estimated and catalogued 521 languages in Nigera. [[image:720px-Nigeria_linguistic_1979.jpg width="532" height="351" align="right"]]
 * 510 living languages; two second languages without native speakers and 9 extinct languages
 * However, the official language of Nigeria is English which used in all government interactions and in state-run schools
 * Before visiting Nigeria you must know that there are 7 major Nigerian laguages: Hausa (unofficially country's second language and the oldest known written language in W. Africa), Igbo, Yoruba (**are most widely spoken),** and Edo --Efik, Ibibio, and Annang **(these arre three different dialects of the same language) and 4** French languages**: Adamawa, Fulfulde, Idoma, and Central Kanuri.**
 * It is important to remember that even though Nigerians have an over obandence of different languages, English is still the official language for education, business transactions and other official purposes.
 * English however, is only spoken by a small minority of the population, primarily by the urban elite and not spoken in rural areas (of 75% populance).
 * Nigeria's linguistic diversity is a microcosm of Africa with three major African language families: Afro-Asiatic, Nilo-Saharan, and the Niger-Congo (predominates in central and southern Nigeria)
 * Nigerian Pidgin (mix of African languages and English) **is an English-based pidgin or creole language spoken as a kind of //lingua franca// across Nigeria that is referred to simply as "//Pidgin//", "Broken English" or "//Brokan//". It is often not considered a creole language since most speakers are not native speakers, although many children do learn it early. Pidgin originally evoloved from the need for British sailors to find a way to communicate with local merchants. Today it is often used in ethnically mixed urban areas as a common form of communication among people who have not had a formal education. Its superstrate is English with Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo as the main substrate languages. Ihemere (2006) reports that Nigerian Pidgin is the native language of approximately 3 to 5 million people and is a second language for at least another 75 million.**
 * [|Pidgin Dictionary]
 * Below are some of the common phrases translated from Pidgin into common language.
 * //Wetin dey happen// means What is happening?
 * //I no no//, //I no know//, //Me no no// or //Me no know// means I don't know
 * //Come chop// means Come & eat
 * //How Far?// means whats up? or hi
 * //babe// means fine girl or chick
 * //show// means meet up with me
 * //Yarn or Yarning// means to talk
 * [|pidgin english]; [|pidgin song];

Nigerian Art on the English Scene Many Nigerian, or Nigerian-British, artists have accomplished a rendering of their presence onto the vast canvas of international art. Three of which, who are planning on being a part of our Nigerian Cultural Festival, are among a group of artists who have been noticed and written about by Artist, and public intellectual, Olu Oguibe in his essay //Nigerian Artists in the Contemporary Art World.// If you aren’t already familiar, Oguibe has invited us into the current art-loop, apparently since the 1980’s "scholars, critics, and other writers in Africa, Europe, and the Americas had begun to write about the work of these artists with increasing frequency." One of these, now well known, individuals is contemporary artist Yinka Shonibare, he was born in London, but grew up in Nigeria before returning to England. He then "studied at Byam Shaw School of Art continued his education at Goldsmiths College of the University of London, England’s fountain of conceptual art." The image to the right is called //The Parlor//, it is an image of Shonibare amongst fellow English men and ladies, clad in English aristocratic wear, all are posing in a fabricated Victorian parlor. Being the only Nigerian man, Shonibare makes statement about the seemingly unfitting presence of Nigerian people in England; though highlights, literally with his brighter suit, their positions amongst the culture as a respectable people. Oguibe also informs us that the image to the left is part of a body of work called // Double Dutch, // its name inspired by printed fabric called ‘Dutch wax’ which is used commonly by people in Africa. “This fabric became a symbol of nationalist revival in the wake of political independence in Africa, a sign of the new continent, of pride and difference… In the 1970’sthe material made its transition into the iconography of the Black Power movement in the United States and Britain…its residues are still to be found in such neighborhoods as Harlem in New York and Brixton in London.” Another artist Oguibe writes about is Sokari Douglas Camp, she was “born in Buguma on the Niger Delta” and later “moved to England as a teenager.” He goes on to list her series of studies, “In the 1970’s, she moved to San Francisco, where she studied briefly at the California college of arts and Crafts, before returning to England to enroll at the prestigious Central School a St. Martins in London, from which she graduated in 1984. In between her travels abroad, Douglas Camp spent periods in Nigeria, during which she studied with the Yoruba master sculptor Lamidi Fakeye. In Nigeria, she also came under the mentorship of the choreographer and dance scholar Peggy Harper. Through Harper she made the acquaintance of the Austrian sculptor Suanne Wegner, Matron of the Oshogobo school which thrived in Nigeria in the 1960’s.” The image above is of a piece called //View of Spirits in Steel: The Art of the Kalabari Masquerade//. If you look at the figures’ attire and accompaniments you will notice Douglas Camp’s incredibly deliberate inclusion of articles such as the fish on the post near the first spirit, the seemingly bleeding abdomen on the second spirit who wears a headdress of flowers supporting a ship upon her head, it also looks as though she could be holding a knife. The spirits behind her aren’t in clear enough view to discern exactly what they are wearing, but it is clear that all the figures are dancing in a possibly ritualistic manor. These aspects, in addition to the “life, movement, elegance, inventiveness, and technical skill” Oguibe refers to, enticed museums to show her work; they saw “her animated dancers and masqueraders as useful means to illustrate a make-believe, natural context for their ethnographic collections of African art.” The final Artist, from Olu Oguibe’s essay, that I’d like to address is Rotimi Fani-Kayode; who, in my opinion, is the most interesting of the three Artists coming to the festival. Oguibe tells of Fani-Kayode leaving “Nigeria with his family when he was eleven to escape a civil war,” he then grew up in England but “moved to the United States to study at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and at the Pratt Institute in New York. After he finished his studies, he returned to England.” Oguibe goes on to include that Fani-Kayode was the “founding chair of the Black photographers group, help[ing] shape the discourses of race and sexuality in the visual arts in England in the late 1980’s.” The image to the right is called //White Boquet//, curiously the men in the photograph seem comfortable with their viewers seeing them naked and are assumedly involved with each other, but clearly do not wish to include their audience in their tryst. I say this because their backs are turned to us, we have no idea what they are feeling because no facial expressions are shown; we are simply left to interpret the body language…Since the African man is reclining, and the Caucasian man is standing behind him cradling a //White Boquet//, I can deduce that the Caucasian man is attempting to earn the African man’s good favor -possibly in admiration? Possibly as a gesture of apology? It also intrigues me that the Caucasian man is slightly transparent; through his low level of opacity we can see the couch and the legs of the reclining African man. This infers a level of inferiority or possiby a fantacy or thought the African man might be having. //White Boquet// holds much admired strength in it's controversial romanticism of a biracial, gay relationship. “Although Fani-Kayode’s career spanned only six years, from 1983 to 1989, his work belongs in the canon of late twentieth century British art.” ~Alicia Raposa = = =Nigerian Music= = <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="display: block; font-size: 130%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">   =

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nigerian music is typically viewed as the heart and soul of Africa. Nigerian music has often been considered the best and most eloquent of the various African groups. Nigerian music is characterized by various different sounding beats, tempos, and melodies which reflect the diversity of the country. Each ethnic group has contributed to Nigeria's various musical genre's. Nigerian music is best divided into three categories which reflect the past, present and future of this country. Indigenous or folkloric music, Church/Art music, and lastly modern music. =====

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As of recently there have been many dire attempts in preserving the folk music of this country,since it has been replaced with NIgerian Church music. Folkloric music is absolultuly integral to the "social, cultural, and religious life." (Onjey) Folk music is used to propagate social mores, and provides a effective framework in which the Nigerians are able to remember their pre-Christian beliefs. The subject matter of folk music revolves around the occupation and surrounding atmosphere of these people. For the most part the subject matter is usually work related in which the individuals use tools, and vegetables to provide a beat. Typically they are sung in a call and response form in which a lead singer will pronounce a single line of lyric, while the rest merely provide a chorus. As, in other African countries folk music is used to inoculate messages combating the AIDS epidemic, in which they seek to raise awareness in the youth. ===== media type="youtube" key="yrzZDDfPte8" height="344" width="425"

Fela Sowande
Fela Sowande best illustrates the concept of Nigerian Church Music, and Nigerian Classical Music. He was born in Lagos in 1905, his father Emmanuel Sowande was one of the founding pioneers of Nigerian Church Music in the early Twentieth-century. His father introduced him to Western forms of Music, and forever cemented the seeds of a deep appreciation for music. In 1934 Sowande jouneyed to London to learn European Classical music (Omojola). Where he was awarded the Harding Prize for his ability to play the organ, and received a degree of Bachelor of Music at the University of London (ibid). In 1941 he was given the position of musical advisor in the film unit of the Ministry of Information. He gave lectures for the BBC Africa Service, which dealt with West African Music. Under this job position, he collected Afrian melodies that would provide the basis for his orchestral compositions //Sketches// and //African Suite// (ibid). In 1962, he took up the position of "research fellow at the University of Ibadan where he carried out research into traditional music, but also traditional religion, with specific attention to Yoruba divination (Omojola). He later left Nigeria for the U.S., where he took up the position of Professor of African Studies and African Research Programme director at Howard Univeristy. He died in March 1987 in the states, and in 1996 "the first Fela Sowande Memorial Lecture and concert was organized" (Omojola).

Sowande has received critical criticism from the younger generation who criticize his work as being to Western, and straying from African Melodies. He argued against an "apartheid in art:" We are not prepared to submit to the doctrine of apartheid in art by which a musician is expected to work only within the limits of his traditional forms of music, [and] uncontrolled nationalism, in which case nationals of any one country may forget that they are all members of one human family (Omojola) He felt that Yoruban music is not simply Africans tapping on drums, but rather music was a collective experience that crossed ethnic and national boundaries. His works are the collaboration of African Melodies and rhythm, combined with European styles of composing classical music.

Musical Works
//Oyigiyigi, Kyrie, Prayer, Obangiji, Gloria and Ka muri// use the organ as the main instrument, but are based on Nigerian Melodies (Omojola).

//Roll de Ol' Chariot, My ways are Cloudy, De Ol' ark's, a-movering, De angels are watchin'//, are examples of Afro-American gospel tunes.

//African Suite// and //Folk Symphony// are specifically written for Orchestral works that showcase the influence Western influences.

Juju
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Juju Music is another popular regional music sound. This music style is a prime example of borrowing different types of musical genre's and combining them with Yoruban influences. It was very popular in the 1930's and 40's, and underwent a significant change in the 60's. "After independence the style underwent several important changes of instrumentation and musical structure, including the addition of both Western and traditional Yoruba elements" (Christopher A. Waterman). King Sunny Ade and Chief Commander Ebeneezer Obey are examples of popular Juju musicians. The instruments used for this particular genre of music are: trap drums, dundun (Yoruba pressure drum), percussion instruments, hawaiian guitar, synthesizers, pedal steel guitar, and other various western intruments. This genre has its origins in the lower social classes of the Yoruban culture. While, this is popular throughout Nigeria, the pay is not the greatest. Many musicians make the majority of their money through //spraying. Spraying// is "a traditional sanctioned response to praise singing or drumming, and account for more than half of the net profits of any given performance." (Waterman). In performances when the bandleader praises some figurehead through music, and if that individual is present they usually give money to show gratitude for the performance.Juju songs praise community chiefs, politicians, and religious beliefs (Randall F. Grass). Waterman argues Juju music has its beginnings in the lower social classes, making it a permanent institution in which a social/economic hierachy exists. Furthermore, many band leaders use the fame acquired to gain positions of the social elite, and it is quite common for Juju musicians to be favorable amongst the elite, because of the praising they give prominent figures. This is best typfied by Ebeneezer Obey, who gave himself the title of Chief Commander. While Juju, musicians praise individuals, that does not necessarily mean they do not criticize the goverment. King Sunny Ade uses lyrics discuss the social conditions of Nigeria in the hopes of a reformation. Obey's lyrics are primarily concerned with a regression to agricultural times, where people's sole focus is on agriculture. Other notable Juju artists are Sir Shina Peters, Admiral Dele Abiodun, and Prince Adekunle.While Juju music fell out of favor in the 90's, many try to find new ways to make it adaptable to the current music trends like hip hop.

media type="youtube" key="llCdNxZYmIY" height="344" width="425"media type="youtube" key="PwgjKPAk2UI" height="344" width="425" King Sunny Ade Live In Europe; Album Synchrosystem Chief Commander Obey; Audio Ohun Oju Ri Laiye media type="youtube" key="4zD3NohbaXY" height="344" width="425"

Afrobeat
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Afrobeat’s prominence in the 1970’s can be attributed to one particular person, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Fela’s band, Afrika 70 “amalgamated jazz, the funk of American soul singer/band leader James Brown, highlife, traditional rhythms, and chanted declamation vocals,” to create what would be known as Afrobeat (Randall F. Grass).

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fela Anikulapo Kuti
<span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fela was born in Lagos in 1938, having been brought up in the Yoruban Culture. Yoruban culture emphasizes music and dance, so the two are completely integrated, everything can be related to a song or dance. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> From an early age, Fela wanted to be a musician, and in 1957 he went to study at the London School of Music where Jazz musicians, and a diverse musical atmosphere surrounded him. In 1963, he returned to Lagos where he formed a Jazz band, but was met with little success. It was not until 1969, when he came to the states where he was truly inspired by the Civil Rights movements. He met Sandra Isidore a black panther in Los Angeles, and she encouraged him to explore his African roots (Grass). When he returned to Africa, “he immediately began composing music based on chants, call-and-response vocals, and complex, interacting rhythms” (Grass). His voyage to the states laid the foundations for an entirely African centered music that sought to speak about the social injustices facing Nigerians. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Fela’s lyrics were considered dangerous for the Nigerian Government, because he openly criticized the government. In 1977 Fela’s compound was burnt to the ground, and his band and family members were beaten and raped (Grass). He really believed that art should be about politics. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> In 1984, Fela was arrested on the eve of an American Tour, under the pretext that he had committed a crime of illegal currency exportation, and was sentenced to 10 years of prison. He was eventually released in 1986, and still continued to be a political activist. He died in 1997. media type="youtube" key="IhOYXUqRoHk" height="344" width="425"

Modern Nigerian Music Examples
Modern Nigerian Music has been influenced by hip-hop and reggae. Some artists include Ras Kimono, and Ra the Ruggedman. media type="youtube" key="tx6aDeuqaOc" height="344" width="425"R.A. the Ruggedman in London.

media type="youtube" key="Eu6joPPQL7U" height="344" width="425"Ras Kimono song Dem Persecute.

British Nigerians
Some famous British Nigerians include: ~Lydia Haro
 * Sade Adu, born in Nigeria.A R&B singer
 * Seal born in London. A soul singer.
 * Kele Okereke. Lead guitarist, and vocal singer for Rock band Bloc Party.
 * Ty, born in London. A rapper.
 * Shirley Bassey born in Wales. Best known for her vocals on The James Bond theme song

** > > **[|Nigerian fashion for every occasion]** > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWJcj99Iwtg > **[|Fashion show] > [|Lagos Fashion] > [|Hausa fashion] > > > **
 * <span style="font-size: 160%; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Nigerian Clothing
 * According to Africa pavillion website, fashion is becoming a repid part of Nigerian culture as people of Nigeria use the traditional African dress and express it in a contemporary way. [[image:http://www.motherlandnigeria.com/pictures/parts_of_clothes.jpg width="271" height="229" align="right" caption="parts of clothes"]]
 * Nigeria now has a clutch of world-class designers whose exciting and bold ideas have something genuinely original to offer the $multi-million global fashion industry. With the new move towards economic regeneration at home in Nigeria, this sector is building on the skills of the indigenous population and is undoubtedly capable of making a contribution to economic growth.
 * During the colonial occupation of Nigeria, much of African culture was suppressed and people came to feel that Western dress was somehow superior to African apparel. However with the arrival of independence in 1960, there was a new optimism and the wearing of traditional African dress was heavily promoted.
 * African 'fashion' of that period, enjoyed something of a renaissance, and the gele, traditional headgear of the Nigerian woman, enjoyed particular popularity, becoming ever more elaborate and whimsical, and eventually enjoying a vogue of having each new style named after a public building or famous personality.
 * Today, Nigerian is again asserting itself as a leader in fashion and style on the African subcontinent.
 * African fashion places more emphasis on the whole 'look' than other fashion cultures, reflecting the centuries old tradition of decorating and adorning the entire body. It encompasses not just the main items of clothing, but hats, headgear, hairstyles, precious jewelry, beads and bangles, shells, coins, capes, wraps, waistcoats, bags and shoes. African fashion on the whole and Nigerian fashion in particular, pays much more attention to the male than is common in other cultures. It is not unusual, for example, for a husband and wife to commission a matching ensemble, complete with complimentary hats, to give added impact to their appearance for a special occasion.[[image:nigerian_clothing1.jpg width="198" height="129" align="right"]]
 * Reflecting Nigerian women's innate sense of style, many of the new look clothes are very decorative and elaborate. The traditional arts which are still widely practiced in rural communities, such as embroidery, tie-dying, weaving and hand-printing and hand-painting, are all paid homage to in the 'new look' Nigerian styles of today.
 * Grasses, leather, gold, feathers and silks give Nigerian fashion an unmistakably African look that celebrates nature, wildlife and the traditional myths and symbols which reflect the country's rich cultural heritage. Styles frequently incorporate the bold geometric patterns and motifs of the Akwete from Abia State, and the beautiful the tie-dyed Adire cloths from Northern Nigeria.

Literature

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Marisa Katzman
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chinua Achebe: **Achebe's novels focus on the [[image:ACHEBEFrankMayAFP460.jpg width="292" height="165" align="right"]] traditions of Igbo society, the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of values during and after the colonial era. His style relies heavily on the Igbo oral tradition, and combines straightforward narration with representations of folk stories, proverbs, and oratory.** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He has also published a number of short stories, children's books, and essay collections. He gained worldwide attention for //Things Fall Apart// in the late 1950s; his later novels include //No Longer At Ease// (1960), //Arrow of God// (1964), //A Man of the People// (1966), and //Anthills of the Savannah// (1987). ([|http://] books.google.com)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> [[image:buchi.jpg width="184" height="183" align="left"]] Buchi Emecheta: **Emecheta has published over 20 books, plays and shorts, including the seminal works, //Second-Class Citizen// (1974), The //Bride Price// (1976), //The Slave Girl// (1977) and //The Joys of Motherhood// (1979). Her strong themes of child slavery, motherhood, female independence and freedom through education have won her considerable critical acclaim and honorary awards, including an Order of the British Empire in 2005.** ([|www.authorsden.com])
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ben Okri: **is a Nigerian poet and [[image:ben_okri_narrowweb__300x434,0.jpg width="212" height="223" align="right"]]novelist who spent his early childhood in London, moved back to Nigeria then went back to London for his studies. Okri had his first-hand experiences of civil war in Nigeria and that is said to have inspired many of his works. He writes about both the mundane and the metaphysical, the individual and the collective, drawing the reader into a world with vivid descriptions.** ([|www.contemporarywriters.com]) <span style="font-size: 200%; color: rgb(41, 148, 78); font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="color: rgb(47, 238, 55);">
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some other authors that will be highlighted will be Osonye Tess Onwueme, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Wole Soyinka

<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 3); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(16, 14, 14); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> HISTORY AND FOOD Trade was largely responsible for changing the flavors of African cuisine. Before trading began, their main foods consisted of rice, millet, and lentils. The   <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(16, 14, 14); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach Nigeria and they established a slave trade center around the 1400's. Then British, Dutch, and other European traders began to compete for control of the trade. By the late 1700's the British had main control over the slave trade. The European traders introduced several foods to Western Africa, including beans, cassava, and maize. They were introduced to these food while on journeys to America and in turn brought them to Africa. ( **<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">[|**www.foodbycountry.com**] <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">  **) <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A short list of the food of Nigeria is shown below: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">However, the food that the people of Nigeria eat depends on their region. ( **<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">[|**www.mapsofworld.com**] <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"> **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> SPECIFIC FOODS THEY EAT IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY The Northern Region consists of mostly Muslims (who prohibit pork in their diet), and the Hausa people. Their dietary staples include: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Eastern Region house the Igbo/Ibo people. Their food choices are mostly: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Southwest/Central areas consists of the Youruba people. They eat: The Nigerians who live near the coast rely on these few food staples: Just as in many different parts of the world, the people of Nigeria eat certain types of food depending on where they live. Of course, this list does not limit their food choices by any means, and one must remember that fruit almost always accompanies their meals, as well and different types of stews and drinks. ([|**www.msn.com**]) <span style="color: rgb(27, 24, 24); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(16, 14, 14); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(19, 17, 17); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 3); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="color: rgb(27, 24, 24); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">FRUITS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">BEEF
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">CHICKEN
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MUTTON
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">LAMB
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TURKEY
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">GEESE
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PIGEON
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">GUINEA FOWLS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">CRAP
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">SHRIMP
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">FRUIT
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">BEANS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">SORGHUM (GRAINS)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">BROWN RICE
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TSERE OR SUYA (KEBABS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TEA
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">GARI DUMPLINGS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PUMPKINS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">YAMS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ISI-EWU (GOAT HEAD PEPPER SOUP)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">BUSH MEAT
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">BEEF
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">STOCKFISH
 * GARI WITH LOCAL VARITIES OF OKRO
 * SPINACH IN STEW OR SOUPS
 * MASHED YAMS/CASSAVA
 * PEPPER STEW
 * SEAFOOD STEWS
 * FISH
 * CRAB
 * SHRIMP
 * LOBSTER

Nigeria lies entirely in the tropics, and therefore grow a large variety of tropical fruits. Tropical fruits are very rich in vitamins, not to mention they taste delicious. Some of the popular fruits in NIgeria are: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some of these fruits, like pineapples, mangos and oranges are now being canned and a lot are being exported to Europe. ( <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|**www.foodbycountry.com**] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">) LOCAL DRINKS There are a variety of drinks to choose from in Nigeria. Some of the most popular drinks are: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The beer and wine is both local and imported, though mostly canned. Their local beer, Burukutu (BKT), is a local beer and is made from plantain and other sugar based raw materials.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ORANGES
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MELONS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">LIMES
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">GRAPEFRUIT
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MANGOS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">BANANAS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PINEAPPLES
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">WATERMELONS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PALM WINE
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">WATER
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MINERALS (SODA)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">FRUIT DRINKS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">BEER
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">WINE

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|**www.motherlandNigeria.com**] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">) MEALTIME CUSTOMS Most Nigerians rise as early as 5am, when they eat a small breakfast before beginning their day. Breakfast usually consists of rice and mangoes, or stewed soybeans. Dodo, or fried plantains, is a common dish, as well as leftovers from the night before. Lunch is then eaten around 11am, and this meal is considered the most important of the day. Most Nigerian meals are made up of one course and are cooked outside over an open fire (gas and kerosine stoves are sometimes used, but the two fuels are oftentimes to expensive for many Nigerians). Soups and stews are commond lunchtime meals, and are eatne with their hands which are cupped like a spoon, and many Nigerians only use their right hand. ([|www.foodbycountry.com]) Works Cited:** __Black Renaissance__ "Ben Okri".__Wikipedia.__ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ben_okri "Buchi Emecheta".__Wikipedia__. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/buchi_emecheta "Buchi Emecheta." __Buchi Emecheta__. Authors Den. http://authorsden.com/buchi_emecheta. "Ben Okri." __British Councel__. Contemporary Writers. http://www.contemporarywriters.com/searchresults/?qs=ben+okri. "Chinua Achebe".__Wikipedia__. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/chinua_achebe Grass, Randall F. "Fela Anikulapo-Kuti The Art of an Afrobeat Rebel." __The Drama Review__ 1986:131-. JSTOR. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1145717. “Customs of Nigeria.” __MSN__. 28 October 2008. < http://encarta.msn.com/sidebar_631522238/customs_of_nigeria.html >. Kenny, Joseph. "Sharia and Christianity in Nigeria: Islam ad a 'Secular' State. " <http://www.jstor.org/pss/1581837> Lapidus, Ira Marvin (2002). "Islam in West Africa", //A History of Islamic Societies// "Nigerian Britons." __Wikipedia__. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/list_of_nigerian_britons. "Nigeria Fact File." __Time For Kids__ 9 Apr. 2005: 4. __Foods and Drinks__. 1998. San Diego State University. 26 September 2008. [[|http://www.motherlandnigeria.com]]. __Food In Nigeria__. 2007. San Diego State University. 31 October 2008. . __Google Books__. Google. http://books.google.com/books?q=chinua+achebe. “Nigerian Food.” __Maps of the World__. 28 October 2008. < http://www.mapsofworld.com/nigeria/culture/food.html >. “Nigerian Foods. __Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation__. 9 October 2008. < http://www.nigeriatourism.net/exp2e.html >. Oguibe, Olu. "Finding a Place: Nigerian Artists in the Contemporary Art World." __College__ __Art Association__ 58.2 (Summer, 1999): 31 – 41. Omojola, 'Bode. "Style in Modern Nigerian Art Music: The Pioneering Works of Fela Sowande." __Africa__ 1998: 455-. __Academic Search Premier__. EBSCO. San Diego State Univesity Library. 28 October 2008< http://libproxy.sdsu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.libproxy.sdsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=1683540&site=ehost-live. > Onyeji, Christian. " Rescue of Endangered Folk Music Heritage of Nigeria: Library of Folk Music of Nigeria Project." __Fontis Artis Musicae__ 2006: 21-. __Academic Search Premier__. EBSCO. San Diego State University Library. 28 October 2008< http://libproxy.sdsu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.libproxy.sdsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=23023117&site=ehost-live. > Waterman, Christopher A. "I'm a Leader,Not a Boss: Socail Identity and Popular Music in Ibadan, Nigeria" __Ethnomusicology__ 1982: 59-. JSTOR. http://www.jstor.org/stable/851402. "Nigerian Fashion". __Africa Pavilion__. December 07, 2008. <http://www.africapavilion.org/country/nigeria/01_e.htm>
 * Akhimien, Eronmonsele Pius. 2004. [|The use of ‘How are you?’ in Nigerian society], //Journal of Pragmatics// Volume 36, Issue 11, November 2004, Pages 2055-2058
 * Ihemere, Kelechukwu Uchechukwu. 2006. "[|A Basic Description and Analytic Treatment of Noun Clauses in Nigerian Pidgin.]" //Nordic Journal of African Studies// 15(3): 296–313.
 * Shnukal, Anna and Lynell Marchese. 1983. "Creolization of Nigerian Pidgin English: a progress report." //English World-wide// 4: 17-26.