Ancient Nigeria Research Paper

Benin is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by the country of Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The country’s capital is Porto-Novo, although the government is based in Cotonou, which is the country’s city. Benin is run by its president, Thomas Boni Yayi.

Thousands of years ago there was a tribe filled with people known as the Ibo, now known as the Igbo. The Igbo were one of the first tribes to really be able to thrive and have order in their villages. Igboland is now one of the most populated countries in Nigeria. Though Igboland is now one of the most populated countries, it has managed to keep its historical charm. Igboland is now a very well thriving country, but it is still facing many hardships regarding their political system.

Nigeria contains more historic cultures and empires than any other nation in Africa. They date as far back as the 5th Century BC when communities lived around the southern slopes of the Jos plateau, which are now called the Nok people. The first important centralized state to influence Nigeria was Kanem-Bornu, which was founded in the 8th century AD. By the 11th century Kanem-Bornu expanded into present-day Nigeria, and in the 15th century, its capital was moved there. In the late 15th century the Portuguese became the first Europeans to visit Nigeria. They began to purchase slaves and agricultural produce. After the Portuguese came to the British, French, and Dutch traders.

Benin is a French-speaking country in West Africa. It is a fascinating place and is the birthplace of the vodun or “voodoo” religion. It’s also home to the former Dahomey Kingdom dating from 1600 – 1900. Even though it is a small country it does have a few large cities and beckons to tourist to explore its impressive architecture, museums and markets. A trip here will bring you many adventures, a look at amazing wildlife and relaxing on great beaches.

Well the government in ancient Mali was lead by the emperor called the Mansa. The Mali Empire was divided up into providence and each were led by a governor. Present day Mali is one of the least densely population of Africa. The people who live in Mali live in small villages. People pursue traditional occupations such as farming, fishing, herding, crafts, and trade. Nomadic groups of Berbers, Tuareg, and Moors live north of the Niger River. As a herder you mostly raise cattle, sheep, and goats and are always on the move in search of

During the mid-1000s, the Empire of Ghana was wealthy and powerful through its control of trade routes. The empire lasted for many centuries until it collapsed in the 1200s. Three major factors contributed to its end. These factors include invasion of other armies, overgrazing of animals, and internal rebellions within the empire.

One notable aspect of the Ancient African civilization was its magnificent art; reflecting the importance Africans placed on storytelling, the natural world, and spirits/ancestors. The Africans used art as a way to express life and culture within their generations. They believed there was "more than a mere representation of something concrete," and that "an artistic depiction of something made it an actual fact" (Bogucki). So unlike most cultures who passed on history by word of mouth, the Africans also used forms of art to create a better picture of history.

Furthermore, proceeding the conquest by foreigners, the ethnic groups of Nigeria had independent histories. According to the well known forum, Countries and Their Cultures, “Their grouping together into a single entity known as Nigeria was a construct of their British colonizers. These various ethnic groups never considered themselves part of the same culture. This general lack of Nigerian nationalism coupled with an ever-changing and often ethnically biased national leadership, have led to severe internal ethnic conflicts and a civil war.” (Asogwa) As demonstrated by the previous excerpt Nigeria was inhibited by fully functional native tribes.

How to eat in ancient Ghana. The Ancient Ghana civilization lasted from about 300-1200 A.D.. The Ancient country lies in Western Africa where the modern countries of Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal are today (Kingdom of Ghana). The people of Ghana ate what they could provide by farming. They farmed crops such as corn and rice. The Niger river ,which cut across ancient Ghana, flooded like the Nile during the rainy season bringing water and nutrients to their fields (Social Aspects of Ancient Ghana) . They raised animals such as Goats, chickens, and sheep to eat. The people mostly ate several different types of soup with fufu, plantain, bread, rice, and potatoes. The soups were nut based with different meats such as fish, mutton, goat, or chicken added (Ancient Ghana Environment).

In Nigeria, the main ethnic group from Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States are the Yoruba. You can also find Yoruba in Kwara, Kogi, and Edo States, but here the communities are not so big.

It is prohibited to discriminate based on race, gender, disability, language, and social status. Even though women and the disabled are continuously discriminated against with little to no help from the government. Benin’s constitute and laws guarantee freedom of speech and of the press but those rights have been denied. The ORTB has banned any reporting on broadcasts of slander towards the government. There have been many times the Office of Radio and Television (ORTB) has blocked the media from spreading news of impeachment of the president to corruption cases getting thrown out. Although there are laws in this country you as a traveler must not get in any grey areas of the law to ensure a safe easy trip threw.

From the day I was born, Nigerian culture – Yoruba to be exact – has been ingrained in my everyday life. From aso ebi, agbada, and gele piled high in my house’s closets to serving jollof and egusi at every major gathering and bringing dodo (fried plantain) to my school’s culture’s day, a piece of my culture is always with me.

Nigeria was ruled by the British for several years but gained its independence in 1960. Shortly after gaining its independence in 1966 a civil war broke out and has continued into the recent years. This year was the first time Nigeria had a successful election without any violence. The capital of Nigeria was Lagos but was moved to Abuja in 1986. What is interesting is that Abuja is similar to Washington D.C. in the United States. Like Washington D.C., Abuja is not a state but rather a federal district. There are some interesting things that are very different from our culture as well.

Before we begin, let’s take a look at the country and its environs. Nigeria a former British Colony, located in the western part of Africa, it shares borders with Benin, Cameroun, and Niger. A growing population of 150million, labour force of 51million (70% Agriculture, 10% industry and 20% service), urbanisation is less than 40%, GDP is over $300billion, Per capita income is $2300. Nigeria is blessed with different cultures, languages and ethnic groups (252 in total); this was due to the colonization of the British in the early 19th century (Columbia Encyclopaedia). The British amalgamated its protectorates in 1914 to enable stable control and governance which made them create one Nation of Nigeria formed from all the groups, community and empires around the Niger area under their control. Nigeria had her independence on the 1st of October 1960 and since then various civil wars, political and religious unrest in the country to share power and resources amicably.

Nigeria is a transit country for illegal wildlife trade both at domestic and international market levels of the threatened African Giant Pangolin, Elephant Ivory, the Nigerian Cameroon Chimpanzee, and Vultures. Despite being a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the level of compliance in upholding the objectives of this Convention at the Federal Government level is very poor and ineffective.