Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and one of the most famous countries in the world at large, filled with people from diverse places accustomed to diverse cultures and ways of life. The diversity of ethnicity is one of the things that makes Nigeria unique in the global picture. 

As expected, each ethnic groups in the country have foods that are unique to them. Nevertheless, rice is one food that is generally common, irrespective of the tribe’s locality. It is one of the foods that joins everyone together. And of course, it should also be added that there are various ways of making rice, but what appears to be the most famous type of rice is the Jollof. 

Here, we will discuss the types of food in the main tribes in the country. Definitely, we can’t explore all Nigerian tribes here. Additionally, we will only be considering the major foods associated with these tribes (which means there are more, that might not be highlighted). 

Types Of Food In Our Culture, Nigeria

  • The Igbo Tribe

Let us start with the Igbo tribe. Majorly populating the Eastern part of the country, they can be found in states such as Anambra, Imo, Delta, Rivers, and Ebonyi. Of course, a number of them reside in various parts of Nigeria (particularly in Lagos) as a result of their expertise in business and trade. 

Their major delicacies include

  1. Yam
  2. Cocoyam
  3. Manioc
  4. Various vegetables
  5. Fish
  6. Salads (like Abacha and Ugba)
  7. Agidi (tasty cornmeal) etc.

One interesting thing is that they have their own indigenous way of seasoning their foods. Their Okra Soup is famously made with fresh fish, while Akwu And Oha Soup is a famous combination amongst the Igbo people. 

  • Hausa Tribe

Another major ethnic group in Nigeria is the Hausa people, majorly occupying Nigerian states like Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Niger. Their delicacy ranges from porridges, vegetables, and also dairy products.

The Hausa people love Tuwo, which is usually enjoyed with Kuka soup. Others include Masa/Sinasir, Dan Wake (a delicious meal that can be made in a jiffy), Tuwo Shinkafa, and then Suya (barbecue prepared with cow meat or ram).

  • The Yoruba Tribe

The Yoruba ethnic group is another major tribe in Nigeria, found majorly in the southwestern part of the country (Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, and Lagos). The Yorubas can also be found in countries like Benin and Togo, and they are known for their exploits in activities like fishing and agriculture (where they cultivate crops like yam, corn, cassava, millet, and so on). Before the discovery of crude oil in Nigeria, when the country still relies on agriculture for revenue, one of the major crops being exported is cocoa, and the Yorubas are usually behind it. 

Indeed, this tribe can boast of having very rich and delicious dishes in the country. One of the most popular delicacies amongst the Yorubas is Yam. They have the liberty to enjoy yam in various ways. It can be used to prepare pounded yam (called Iyan in the local dialect) and enjoyed with any type of delicious soup. The yam can be boiled and enjoyed with a fried egg or palm oil or groundnut oil. It can also be fried or made as a porridge. 

Corn is also very popular amongst the Yoruba people, used to make a variety of delicacies like ogi, tuwo e.t.c. Then Bananas/Plantains, which can be roasted (called Boli) or fried (known as Dodo). 

One thing we should not forget to add when talking about Yoruba meals is the fact that the Yoruba people love pepper. So, their meals are usually very spicy. 

Talking about their favorite soups, we should start with Gbegiri (Beans Soup). It is made with beans and is enjoyed with any of

  1. Amala
  2. Eba
  3. Semo
  4. Pounded yam or
  5. Fufu

Then, there is the tasty Ila Asepo (made with Okro soup). This delicious soup is usually made with palm oil as well as spices like pepper, and so on. We shouldn’t forget

  1. Ewedu
  2. Egusi soup and
  3. Efo Riro.

These soups are usually made to be tasty and spicy. Although some people who aren’t Yorubas can now make some of them, the difference is always obvious when it is prepared by a typical Yoruba woman. 

The Yorubas devised means to enjoy beans. Beans can simply be prepared and eaten with bread, or with yam. It can be used to make

  1. Akara or
  2. Moin Moin (which can be enjoyed with Pap – called Ogi in Yoruba).
  3. Ekuru. It can also be used to make Ekuru (another delicacy popular in the South West). 

  • Efik-Ibibio Tribe

Here is another group that is predominantly found in the coastal southeastern region of the country (the duo of Akwa Ibom State and Cross River state). They might be termed ‘minorities’, but they are very influential in the country in different ways. They have a beautiful culture, speak various dialects, and have tasty and delicious delicacies. 

There are the Ekpe people that are said to be the protector of the Efik-Ibibio culture. These are the people who have also been able to gain the reputation of inventing “Nsibidi” (which is a famous ancient indigenous writing of the Efik group). It showed that even before the arrival of the whites, they also can boast about being a civilized people – as one of the factors of civilized people is having a form of communication (particularly writing). 

Here are some very popular delicacies being enjoyed by the Efik-Ibibio People:

  1. Afañg soup
  2. Edikang Ikong soup
  3. Fufu
  4. Pepper soup 
  5. Ukwoho
  6. Atama 
  7. Eritañ  

Conclusion

It is glaring that the beautiful country called Nigeria is one that has a beautiful culture and nice delicacies. Of course, just as stated earlier, there are numerous tribes in the country that we can’t mention (and they also have various superb delicacies). Nevertheless, the little we mentioned have represented appropriately, and you can choose to taste any of them at any time, as far as the ingredients are within your reach. 

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Tag: Types Of Food In Our Culture Nigeria.