In the modern world where globalization is making the world feel smaller, it’s easy for children, especially Nigerian children, to lose touch with their cultural heritage. Many Nigerian parents today are battling with how to strike the right balance between keeping their children updated with global knowledge while preserving the culture that defines us as a people. Teaching Nigerian children about their cultural heritage is not just about storytelling or knowing what their ethnic group stands for, it’s about grounding them in a sense of identity, helping them understand where they come from, and giving them the tools to proudly represent that heritage.
As someone who grew up in a typically Nigerian home, I know first-hand how easy it is to get swept away by the allure of modern trends. But as I grew older, I also came to realize the value of our rich culture — the food, language, fashion, music, and values that make us uniquely Nigerian. I knew that these aspects of our culture needed to be passed down, especially to the younger generation, in ways that connect with them and resonate in their everyday lives.
In this blog post, we’ll explore practical and creative ways Nigerian parents and educators can teach children about their cultural heritage. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach, as Nigeria is blessed with over 250 ethnic groups, but these methods can serve as a starting point for anyone looking to pass on the torch of cultural knowledge to the next generation.
1. Teach Them the Language
Language is one of the most crucial aspects of any culture. In Nigeria, we are blessed with a rich array of languages from Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Efik, Tiv, Edo, and many more. Each language carries its own history, expressions, and worldview. Teaching children their native language helps them connect to their roots in a more intimate way. You can start by speaking the language at home, integrating it into everyday conversations, and even labeling household items with their names in the native tongue.
It’s important to make learning the language fun. One way is to introduce language apps or hire language tutors if you live outside Nigeria, where such interactions might be limited. Another excellent method is through storytelling. Nigerian folk stories often come alive in the language of the people, and telling your children these tales is an enjoyable way to pass down both language and values.
Practical Tips:
- Create a "language day" where the whole family speaks only the native language.
- Watch Nigerian movies or listen to music in the language to help children pick up vocabulary naturally.
- If your child struggles with learning, don’t pressure them. Use positive reinforcement and encourage gradual improvement.
2. Expose Them to Traditional Foods
Food is another gateway to cultural identity. Nigerian dishes like jollof rice, pounded yam with egusi, suya, and akara tell a story of our history, our geography, and the way we live. Cooking these meals at home is a great way to pass down culinary traditions and even teach children about the significance of certain foods in different regions of Nigeria. You can turn cooking into a family activity where you not only teach the children how to prepare the dishes but also explain the stories or traditions behind them.
Children who grow up outside of Nigeria or in urban areas might be exposed to Western foods more often, and that’s okay. However, keeping Nigerian meals as part of their regular diet helps them appreciate the diversity in our cuisine. The occasional “Nigerian food night” where you all sit down for a traditional meal can create lasting memories and connections with your cultural heritage.
Practical Tips:
- Allow children to be part of the cooking process by giving them small tasks in the kitchen.
- Explain the origin of certain foods and why they are important to different Nigerian ethnic groups.
- Take your children to Nigerian restaurants, or attend Nigerian food festivals where they can experience the vibrancy of Nigerian cuisine in a communal setting.
3. Celebrate Cultural Festivals and Traditions
Nigeria has many traditional festivals that hold historical, spiritual, and communal significance. Whether it’s the New Yam Festival among the Igbos, the Osun-Osogbo festival among the Yorubas, or Durbar in the north, these events provide a fantastic opportunity to expose your children to the cultural festivities of their heritage.
You don’t necessarily have to wait for a grand occasion to introduce these festivals. Even when you’re not in Nigeria, you can celebrate by watching documentaries, dressing up in traditional attire, and performing symbolic activities that honor these cultural events. The goal is to create an immersive environment where children feel connected to the cultural traditions that shape Nigerian life.
Practical Tips:
- Attend local Nigerian community events, if available, in your region, or host small family celebrations of significant Nigerian festivals.
- Create craft projects where children can design or paint traditional festival masks, beads, or costumes.
- Explain the meaning behind each festival, why it is celebrated, and its relevance to your ethnic group.
4. Share Folktales and Myths
One of my favorite memories as a child was listening to my grandmother tell stories. Nigerian folktales, often passed down orally through generations, are rich with lessons, wit, and humor. Characters like Tortoise (Ijapa) from Yoruba folklore, and Anansi the spider, from West African traditions, teach children about morality, the consequences of greed, the virtues of patience, and more.
Reading or telling these stories to your children does more than just entertain them. It helps them understand the values that shaped our ancestors and remain relevant today. You can make storytelling a regular bedtime routine, or even take it a step further by acting out some of the stories with your children. The beauty of Nigerian folktales is that they are versatile — they can be enjoyed in any setting.
Practical Tips:
- Incorporate Nigerian folktale books into your child’s reading list.
- Act out folktales with your children, assigning them roles in the stories.
- Use storytelling to teach moral lessons that align with your cultural values.
5. Dress in Traditional Nigerian Attire
In Nigeria, what you wear is more than just a matter of style. Traditional Nigerian attire like the agbada, gele, isi-agu, and ankara are deeply tied to our culture, expressing not just identity, but also social status, age, and sometimes religious affiliation. Introducing children to traditional attire helps them appreciate the richness of Nigerian fashion and how it has evolved.
Make it a point for your children to wear traditional outfits during special occasions, cultural celebrations, or even just for fun. Teach them about the significance of certain attires, such as how different ethnic groups have their own specific styles for various events. Let them know why their grandparents and great-grandparents dressed in certain ways, and how these attires symbolized dignity, respect, and pride.
Practical Tips:
- Take your children shopping for traditional Nigerian clothes, allowing them to choose fabrics and styles that appeal to them.
- Wear traditional outfits as a family during festive periods or cultural celebrations, and explain their cultural importance.
- Teach children how to tie gele, fila, or wear other traditional accessories.
6. Visit Historical Sites and Museums
If you’re lucky enough to be in Nigeria or can visit Nigeria, take your children to historical sites and museums where they can see artifacts and gain first-hand knowledge of our rich history. Nigeria is home to some extraordinary cultural treasures, like the Nok Terracotta statues, the Benin Bronzes, the ancient city of Ife, and the National Museum in Lagos.
Children learn best through experiences, and a visit to these places can spark curiosity and a deeper appreciation for our cultural history. Even if you’re not in Nigeria, many museums around the world house Nigerian artifacts, and visiting these spaces can still offer children a chance to explore and ask questions.
Practical Tips:
- Organize a family trip to historical and cultural sites in Nigeria.
- Encourage children to write about or draw what they saw after visiting museums or historical landmarks.
- If you’re unable to visit physically, watch documentaries or virtual tours of Nigerian historical sites.
7. Introduce Nigerian Music and Dance
Music and dance are essential parts of Nigerian culture. Whether it’s the beats of talking drums, the high-energy movements of bata dancers, or the poetic sounds of Afrobeats, Nigerian music and dance speak to the soul of our people. Children today are already exposed to popular Nigerian music through artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tiwa Savage, but there’s a deeper, more traditional side to our music that tells the stories of our ancestors.
Take time to introduce your children to traditional music from different regions of Nigeria. Play the sounds of the kalangu, gangan, or the oja flute, and explain their cultural significance. Encourage your children to learn traditional dances from your ethnic group or, better still, invite elders or professional dancers who can teach them the steps in an authentic way.
Practical Tips:
- Organize family dance sessions where everyone tries out traditional dance moves.
- Introduce children to various Nigerian musical instruments and their sounds.
- Play a mix of traditional and modern Nigerian music at home or during family gatherings.
8. Teach Respect for Elders and Cultural Values
No lesson on Nigerian heritage is complete without the important values of respect, especially for elders. In Nigerian culture, elders are held in high regard, and respecting them is a fundamental part of growing up. Teach your children about greetings, showing politeness, and observing cultural etiquette, such as kneeling or prostrating when greeting elders, depending on your tribe.
More importantly, help them understand why these values are crucial. It’s not just about following rules, but about recognizing the wisdom and experience that elders offer. Additionally, instill the values of communal living, kindness, and generosity that are central to Nigerian culture.
Practical Tips:
- Lead by example when it comes to respecting elders and observing cultural protocols.
- Encourage children to greet elders in traditional ways and explain the reasons behind these ways of greeting, whether it's kneeling, bowing, or using specific salutations based on your ethnic group.
- Teach children to address people properly. In many Nigerian cultures, it’s inappropriate for children to address adults, especially older relatives, by their first names without titles like "Uncle," "Auntie," "Brother," "Sister," or "Mr." and "Mrs."
- Explain the importance of communal living and how Nigerians traditionally view the community as part of the family. Encourage children to be kind, helpful, and generous to their peers and the wider community.
9. Engage with Elders in the Community
One of the best ways to teach Nigerian children about their cultural heritage is to involve elders in the community. Elders are the custodians of traditional knowledge, and they are often more than willing to pass on this knowledge to younger generations. Invite grandparents, uncles, aunts, or respected community leaders to share their experiences, stories, and cultural knowledge with your children.
This interaction not only strengthens the child’s connection to their heritage but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the wisdom and lived experiences of the older generation. Let them hear directly from their elders about how things were done in the past, the challenges they faced, and the importance of maintaining cultural practices today.
Practical Tips:
- Organize storytelling or cultural exchange sessions with grandparents or elders in your family or community.
- Encourage children to ask questions and engage in discussions about culture, traditions, and values.
- If you live far from home, schedule regular phone or video calls with elders who can share cultural knowledge.
10. Encourage Participation in Cultural Clubs and Organizations
In many cities around the world, Nigerian communities have cultural clubs or associations where they celebrate their heritage. These clubs often organize cultural festivals, language classes, and traditional dance performances. Enrolling your children in such organizations will give them a sense of belonging and allow them to learn about their culture in a group setting with peers who share the same background.
Participating in these clubs gives children the opportunity to express pride in their cultural identity and learn in a structured environment. It also helps them to meet other Nigerian children, fostering friendships based on shared heritage and experiences.
Practical Tips:
- Research local Nigerian cultural organizations or associations in your area.
- Attend events hosted by these organizations as a family, and encourage your children to participate in activities such as dance, drama, or language classes.
- If there are no cultural clubs in your area, consider starting one with other Nigerian families.
11. Use Digital Resources to Explore Nigerian Culture
In today’s digital age, there’s no shortage of online resources that can help you teach Nigerian children about their cultural heritage. From YouTube channels dedicated to Nigerian history, culture, and language lessons to educational websites, podcasts, and documentaries, the internet offers a wealth of information that can make learning about Nigerian culture engaging and fun.
Technology can also help bridge the gap for those living in the diaspora, where access to traditional cultural experiences may be limited. You can find virtual Nigerian language classes, cultural dance tutorials, and even Nigerian history lessons that will keep your children informed and connected to their roots.
Practical Tips:
- Subscribe to YouTube channels that focus on Nigerian culture, history, or language lessons and watch them together as a family.
- Download Nigerian cultural apps or language-learning apps that focus on Nigerian languages.
- Explore online platforms that offer virtual cultural experiences, such as Nigerian storytelling or dance classes.
12. Create a Cultural Heritage Scrapbook or Journal
One creative and engaging way to teach children about their Nigerian cultural heritage is to create a cultural scrapbook or journal. This can be a fun, hands-on project where children collect and document various aspects of Nigerian culture, such as photos of traditional festivals, newspaper clippings about cultural events, drawings of traditional attire, or recipes for Nigerian dishes.
By actively participating in the creation of their own cultural journal, children can take ownership of their learning experience. This personalized resource can be something they revisit and add to as they grow older, helping them retain and deepen their understanding of their cultural heritage.
Practical Tips:
- Set aside time each week for your child to work on their cultural scrapbook or journal.
- Encourage them to include both personal reflections and factual information about Nigerian culture.
- Use the scrapbook as a conversation starter to discuss various aspects of Nigerian culture, and allow them to present their findings to the family.
13. Plan Family Trips to Your Hometown
If you are based in Nigeria or travel to Nigeria occasionally, planning a family trip to your hometown is one of the most immersive ways to teach children about their cultural heritage. There's something profound about walking on the same soil as your ancestors, visiting family compounds, and engaging in local traditions that deepens one’s understanding of their roots.
During the trip, introduce your children to family members who still live in the hometown and take part in traditional activities. Whether it’s a local market day, a family gathering, or a village celebration, these experiences leave lasting impressions on children and connect them to their cultural heritage in ways that no textbook or story can.
Practical Tips:
- Plan your trip around local festivals or family events so that your children can experience the vibrancy of their cultural traditions.
- Take them on a tour of significant places in your hometown, such as ancestral homes, traditional landmarks, or historical sites.
- Encourage children to ask questions and learn from locals about life in the hometown.
14. Incorporate Proverbs and Wise Sayings into Everyday Conversations
Nigerian proverbs and wise sayings are a key part of the oral tradition, used to pass down wisdom from generation to generation. Proverbs are often short but powerful, conveying deep messages about life, values, and the human experience. Teaching children Nigerian proverbs is not only a way to pass down cultural wisdom but also a means of improving their language skills and cognitive development.
You can start by using proverbs in everyday conversations and explaining their meanings. For example, Yoruba proverbs like “Bi oju ba ti eni tan, oju ara eni ni ko ti tan” (If other people’s eyes deceive you, don’t let your own eyes deceive you) or Igbo proverbs like “Egbe belu ugo belu” (Let the kite perch, let the eagle perch) teach valuable lessons in humility, wisdom, and coexistence.
Practical Tips:
- Integrate proverbs into daily conversations and explain their meanings in context.
- Encourage your children to learn new proverbs and use them in their own conversations.
- Create a family “proverb of the week” where you share and discuss a Nigerian proverb and its significance.
15. Teach the History of Nigeria and Your Ethnic Group
One of the most important ways to teach children about their cultural heritage is by helping them understand the history of Nigeria and, more specifically, the history of their ethnic group. This includes teaching them about Nigeria’s pre-colonial kingdoms, the effects of colonialism, the struggles for independence, and the post-independence era. Children should also learn about the key historical figures from their ethnic group and the contributions of their ancestors to Nigerian society.
You can introduce history through books, documentaries, or even by visiting historical sites and museums, as mentioned earlier. Understanding where they come from, both geographically and historically, will give children a sense of pride and a strong foundation in their cultural identity.
Practical Tips:
- Share age-appropriate history books or documentaries about Nigeria and your ethnic group with your children.
- Organize family discussions about key historical events and their impact on Nigerian society.
- Use storytelling to explain historical events in a way that’s engaging and relatable for children.
16. Foster a Sense of National Pride
While it’s essential to teach children about their specific ethnic heritage, it’s equally important to foster a sense of national pride. Nigeria is a diverse country, and children should understand and appreciate the broader cultural landscape beyond their ethnic group. Help them see that while we have different languages, traditions, and customs, we are all united as Nigerians.
Teach them about the diversity within Nigeria, from the cultural practices of the Fulani in the North to the traditions of the Kalabari in the South. Explain the importance of unity, and why it’s vital for Nigerians to work together to build a strong and prosperous nation. Celebrating national holidays like Independence Day, discussing current events in Nigeria, and instilling a sense of patriotism will help children develop a broader understanding of what it means to be Nigerian
Practical Tips:
- Discuss current events in Nigeria and encourage your children to think critically about the country’s progress and challenges.
- Celebrate national holidays like Independence Day with activities that promote national pride.
- Encourage your children to learn about and appreciate the cultures of other Nigerian ethnic groups.
17. Pass Down Traditional Crafts and Skills
Many Nigerian cultures are known for their traditional crafts and skills, such as weaving, pottery, bead-making, and carving. Teaching children these skills not only helps preserve the craft but also gives them a hands-on experience of their cultural heritage. Whether it’s learning how to make ankara bags, tie-dye fabrics, or bead jewelry, these activities allow children to express their creativity while staying connected to their culture.
Even if you’re not a skilled craftsman, there are plenty of resources online, or you can invite local artisans or family members who possess these skills to teach your children. These activities can become fun family bonding experiences while also helping children learn about the artistry that is deeply rooted in Nigerian culture.
Practical Tips:
- Set up craft sessions where children can learn traditional Nigerian crafts like weaving, beading, or pottery.
- Take children to cultural markets or craft workshops where they can see artisans at work.
- Encourage them to create their own pieces of traditional art, whether it’s making jewelry, painting, or working with fabric.
Conclusion
Teaching Nigerian children about their cultural heritage is a journey that requires patience, consistency, and creativity. It’s not something that happens overnight, but rather a continuous process of engagement that evolves as the child grows. The goal is not just to impart facts about Nigerian traditions, languages, or customs, but to instill in them a sense of pride, identity, and belonging. Children who understand their roots are more likely to grow into adults with a strong sense of self and a deeper appreciation for the diversity of the world around them.
This journey of cultural discovery should be enjoyable, not just for the children, but for the entire family. As parents, guardians, or educators, we can create enriching experiences by weaving cultural lessons into everyday life. Whether through language, food, music, storytelling, traditional crafts, or festivals, there are countless ways to ensure that Nigerian children remain connected to their heritage.
In a rapidly changing world, where external influences are becoming more pervasive, preserving cultural heritage becomes even more critical. As globalization makes the world more interconnected, Nigerian children need to have a firm grasp of where they come from to confidently navigate who they are within the global community. While we equip them with modern knowledge and skills, we must also ensure they are rooted in the richness of their Nigerian heritage.
It’s a delicate balance, but one that is absolutely achievable. The responsibility lies with each of us — to teach, to share, and to live out the values that our ancestors passed down to us. By embracing our culture and ensuring that the younger generation values it as much as we do, we are not only keeping our heritage alive but also enriching the future with the wisdom and beauty of our past.
So, let’s embark on this journey of cultural preservation and pride together, raising Nigerian children who know their roots, honor their traditions, and carry forward the legacy of their heritage with pride. After all, as the Yoruba proverb says, "Ile la ti n ko eso r’ode" (Charity begins at home), and it is within our homes that we begin the important work of preserving our cultural heritage for generations to come.