IDENTITY
IDENTITY
Identity refers to the peculiar traits that make us different from others. They are the characteristics that identify us with the culture we come from.
For instance, the name we bear, our dressing, mode of greeting, our language or intonation easily identify us with our group or culture.
LEVELS OF IDENTITY
- FAMILY LEVEL: We identify with our family through the family name(surname). Furthermore, our character and the way we talk or do certain things can also identify the family we come from.
- AGE GROUP – A member of an age group can be identify through sign language, ways of dressing and greeting. In some age groups, members wear a particular colour of beads which distinguishes their members from others.
- TOWN/VILLAGE: An individual can identify with his town or village by contributing meaningfully to its development. Such person can also identify with his town by attending village meetings and culture of the town.
- TRIBAL GROUP: Every Nigerian has a tribe. Each citizen loves to be identified has an Igbo, a Yoruba or an Hausa. Our tribe is also known by others through our language or intonation, tribal mark and mode of greeting.
- STATE LEVEL: Every Nigerian citizen tries to identify with his state during sport competitions, the state logo and slogan. Such citizen may also identify with his state by registering his vehicle or motorcycle with his state number plate.
- NATIONAL LEVEL: Nigerian citizens identify with their country through national symbols like Nigerian flag, national anthem, Nigerian passport, national identification card etc. Nigerian leaders and citizens who travel outside the country identify with Nigeria by wearing our traditional attires.
UNIQUENESS OF NIGERIAN CULTURE
The Nigerian culture can be said to be unique in a number of ways.
- Respect for the elders and old age
- Subsistence agriculture
- Conduct of traditional marriage and payment of bride price
- Polygamy and extended family system
- The age grade system makes Nigerian culture unique.
- Use of tribal marks distinguishes Nigerian culture.
- The Nigerian culture also allows children to inherit the property of their parents.
TO DO AT HOME
- What do you understand by culture?
- State the differences between material culture and non-material culture.