Morals are the rules or guidelines that help us understand what is right and wrong.
Every culture has its own set of morals that are passed down from generation to generation.
In Nigeria, a country with over 371 ethnic groups, there are many different cultures with unique values and beliefs.
One of the most important morals in Nigerian culture is respect for elders. Children are taught from a young age to show respect to their parents, grandparents, and older members of society.
This includes using polite language, listening to their advice, and helping them whenever they can.
In return, elders are expected to offer guidance, wisdom, and support to younger generations, which will lead to mutual respect and interdependence.
By showing respect to elders, young people demonstrate their understanding of the importance of community, tradition, and the value of wisdom gained through experience.
Another important moral in Nigerian culture is the value of hard work. Many Nigerian cultures believe that success comes from working hard and being persistent in achieving your goals.
Children are taught to be diligent and to always give their best effort in everything they do.
This emphasis on hard work is often accompanied by being responsible and self-reliant, encouraging children to take ownership of their actions and decisions and, in so doing preparing them for the challenges of life.
Also, children are taught to say “thank you” in their native languages, such as “daalu” (Igbo), “ese” (Yoruba), or “nagode” (Hausa), to show appreciation and gratitude.
Respect for elders and authority figures is deep in Nigerian culture, and children are taught to say “thank you” to show respect. Parents and caregivers portray good behaviour by saying “thank you” and encouraging children to do the same.
Teaching children to say “thank you” can start from a young age, even before they can talk, through gestures like clapping or nodding.
Other Culture-Influenced Morals for Children
In many cultures, including Nigeria, the left hand is often considered impolite or disrespectful for certain actions, such as giving or receiving items.
This belief is rooted in historical and cultural practices that have assigned specific meanings to the left hand.
In Nigeria and other societies, the left hand is associated with unclean tasks like using the left hand to clean up after making use of the toilet, so using it for interactions like giving or receiving items, mostly to the elderly is considered disrespectful, as it’s believed to transfer impurity or disrespect to the recipient.
Rather, the right hand is used to show respect, gratitude, and humility when interacting with elders. This cultural practice is taught to children from a young age and is deeply rooted in Nigerian tradition.
Honesty and integrity are also highly valued in Nigerian culture. Children are taught that it’s important to be truthful and to always keep their word. They are also taught to be responsible for their actions and to own up to their mistakes.
This will help to build trust and strong relationships within families and communities, and it’s necessary for personal and collective growth.
In Nigerian culture, a person’s word is their integrity; being truthful and transparent is considered a sign of strength and character.
By living with integrity, children demonstrate respect for themselves, their families, and their communities and help to create a society built on mutual trust and respect.
In summary, the diverse cultures in Nigeria have different morals that are important for children to learn and follow. By understanding and respecting the values of their own culture and others, children can grow up to be responsible, respectful, and caring individuals.
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