Before the British colonial influence on Nigeria’s culture, pre-colonial Nigeria consisted of numerous kingdoms and empires, each characterised by distinct social organisations, languages, values, and traditions. The 1885 Berlin Conference led to the British colonisation of the territory now known as Nigeria.
The impact of British colonial influence on Nigeria’s culture profoundly disrupted societal structures, cultural practices, and perceptions of indigenous customs. From the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, British colonial rule introduced new systems and ideologies that conflicted with and eroded Nigeria’s traditional way of life. This article delves into how colonialism reshaped Nigeria’s traditions and enduring impact.
Disruption of Traditional Governance
Before colonial rule, Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups had well-established governance systems. An Oba led the Yoruba kingdoms, the Igbo communities relied on clan-based village assemblies, and an Emir chosen by traditional electors governed the Sokoto Caliphate in the north. However, with colonisation, the British imposed an indirect rule system that undermined these structures. They often appointed chiefs or leaders who lacked legitimacy within their communities, distorting indigenous governance systems to align with British interests.
Relegation of Indigenous Beliefs
Before colonisation, traditional African religion dominated Nigeria, comprising a collection of orally transmitted beliefs and practices. These included belief in a Supreme Being, spirits and divinities, ancestor veneration, traditional medicine, and the harmonisation of nature with the supernatural. For example, the Igbo people believed in a pantheon of gods, spirits, and ancestors who mediated between the spiritual and material worlds, fostering community solidarity. The Yoruba centred their faith around a Supreme Being called Olodumare or Olorun and numerous deities known as orisa, complemented by Ifá divination, which provided insights into the past, present, and future.
The arrival of Christianity and Islam significantly challenged traditional religious practices. Indigenous spiritual systems, such as the Yoruba’s worship of deities like Orisa and the Igbo’s veneration of Amadioha, were dismissed as pagan or primitive. Missionary activities established churches, schools, and hospitals, creating a dichotomy in which Christianity was equated with progress and education while traditional beliefs were marginalised.
Education and Language
Before the advent of Western education, Nigerian education was rooted in religion, Indigenous practices, and oral traditions
In northern Nigeria, Islamic religious education predominated before British occupation in the 1840s. Muslim communities employed mallams to teach children as young as five the Qur’an and the Arabic alphabet. Larger cities established schools that also included science and math in their curriculum.
While in western and southern Nigeria, indigenous practical skills were imparted based on the needs of local communities. Young children were organised into age groups with specific responsibilities, such as clearing bushes or sweeping lanes. Boys were taught farming and specialised crafts, while girls were trained in domestic skills. Boys often apprenticed with master craftsmen to hone their skills.
Western-style education introduced during colonial rule had a dual impact. It created opportunities and enabled the rise of an educated elite, but it also eroded Indigenous knowledge systems and languages. English became the lingua franca, sidelining local languages and confining them to informal settings.
Socio-Economic Changes
The pre-colonial Nigerian economy was centred on subsistence farming, hunting, fishing, and trading. Key crops included yam, cassava, beans, and cocoyam. Other activities, such as blacksmithing, pottery, wood-carving, and cloth weaving, were vital to the economy.
Colonial economic policies prioritised resource extraction and cash crop production, disrupting traditional economies. The introduction of monetisation, wage employment, industrialisation, and urbanisation—driven by colonial administrative centres and industries—led to socio-economic inequalities and rural-to-urban migration. These changes weakened communal traditions and rural lifestyles.
Cultural Erosion Through Modernisation
Colonialism profoundly influenced Nigerian fashion, music, and cuisine, blending pre-colonial traditions with foreign elements:
- Fashion: Traditional Nigerian fashion reflected ethnic identities, with textiles like Yoruba adire and Hausa-Fulani’s finely embroidered Babban riga serving functional, social, and spiritual purposes. The introduction of European-style clothing, such as trousers and suits, gradually replaced traditional attire in formal settings. Western fabrics like lace and brocade were incorporated into local styles, resulting in hybrid garments like the modern agbada. In addition, the missionaries’ labelling traditional outfits as “inappropriate” discouraged their use.
- Music: Traditional Nigerian music, rich and diverse, featured instruments like the talking drum, udu (clay pot drum), and xylophone, central to storytelling, rituals, and celebrations. The arrival of Western instruments such as the guitar and piano gave rise to new genres like highlife, blending African rhythms with European melodies. Also, Christian hymns introduced by missionaries influenced local compositions. However, colonial rule also paved the way for genres like Afrobeat, which combined traditional Nigerian sounds with jazz and funk.
- Cuisine: Pre-colonial Nigerian cuisine used indigenous ingredients such as yam, cassava, plantains, and palm oil. The introduction of crops from the Americas, like maize, tomatoes, and chilli peppers, expanded the range of dishes. Colonial trade introduced foreign ingredients and techniques, such as refined sugar and wheat flour, incorporated into local cuisine.
Colonialism reshaped these cultural elements, blending indigenous and European practices to create a hybrid culture. Nigerians adapted these changes creatively, synthesising them into unique expressions. Today, this fusion is evident in Nigeria’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Legal Systems and Customary Law
Before colonisation, Nigeria’s legal system comprised diverse customary laws and practices unique to each community. Customary law, the oldest source of law, was applicable across territories and often overseen by families, elders, secret societies, and titled men. In northern Nigeria, Islamic law governed areas such as the Sokoto Caliphate and Kanem-Borno Empire.
The British colonial administration replaced indigenous legal systems with British-style courts, prioritising their legal framework. Indigenous practices, such as the Yoruba’s “Ọ̀yọ́ Mesi” council system and Igbo arbitration methods, were marginalised or integrated into a framework favouring British philosophy.
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Conclusion
Colonialism undeniably impacted Nigeria’s traditions, altering governance, religion, and cultural practices. However, Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage has shown resilience, adapting to change while striving to retain its essence. Post-independence, efforts to revive traditional festivals, music, arts, and indigenous languages have gained momentum. The ongoing challenge is balancing modernisation with cultural preservation, ensuring Nigeria’s traditions thrive in a globalised world.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was Nigeria like before the British colonial influence?
Nigeria comprised numerous kingdoms and empires with distinct social structures, languages, and traditions.
- How did British colonialism disrupt traditional governance systems in Nigeria?
The British imposed an indirect rule system, undermining indigenous governance structures and appointing leaders who lacked legitimacy.
- How did British colonialism impact Nigeria’s indigenous religious beliefs?
Traditional African religions were marginalised as Christianity and Islam spread, often being labelled as pagan or primitive.
- How did Western-style education, introduced by the British, affect Nigeria’s culture and languages?
Western education created opportunities for an educated elite but eroded Indigenous knowledge systems and sidelined local languages in favour of English.
- In what ways did colonial economic policies alter Nigeria’s traditional economy?
Colonial policies focused on resource extraction and cash crop production, disrupting subsistence farming and leading to socio-economic inequalities.
- How did British influence shape Nigerian fashion, music, and cuisine?
Traditional practices blended with European elements, creating hybrid expressions in fashion, music, and food that persist in modern Nigerian culture.
