Living in a Nigerian Village: My Personal Experience

Many people I have met over the years have questions about local villages in Africa, especially some places with wildlife.

As someone who has lived in a Nigerian village, I have my share of experiences with nature, culture, and the local wildlife.

In this article, I will share my experiences living in a Nigerian village. This article will help people planning a visit to an African village plan ahead and know what to expect.

Table of Contents

Living in a Nigerian Village

The best part about living in a rural area in Nigeria is the availability of fresh food, some of which is directly from the farm.

I can say that you can survive on a tight budget in most local places. This is because the cost of most items is cheaper compared to some urban areas.

Another thing you would notice is the green trees that are found in almost every compound. There is at least one palm tree in every open space you find.

This is because most of the people who live in this part of Nigeria, the East, produce the palm oil they use locally and sell in the market. You will find out that the majority of the people living here are farmers and traders.

In recent times, men have gone into more trading than farming. Women plant and sell food items like Ugu leaves (fluted pumpkin leaves), pepper, Nchanwu (scent leaves), and many other local spices used for cooking.

You are sure to enjoy the most natural foods and drinks, like palm wine.

My Experience with Wildlife

Rural villages are different from urban developed areas when it comes to wildlife and animals. In many houses in rural villages in the eastern part of Nigeria, there are domestic animals like goats, local chickens, and even sheep.

When it comes to wildlife, some villages do not encounter wild animals like lions, cheetahs, or wild dogs. This is because these animals are rarely seen in these villages.

Instead, you will find wild monkeys jumping from tree to tree. Nigeria has some endemic monkey species like the Preuss’s monkey and Sclater’s guenon.

Other wild animals that I have seen in a Nigerian village are squirrels, snakes, and crocodiles.

There are many other places to see wildlife in Nigeria, like the Cross River National Park, but I am just sharing my personal experiences.

My Experience with Culture

The locals in Nigeria respect their traditions and culture. Each village group has a unique attire that they are identified with.

Then there is the Ogbuefi title that is bestowed on some few men. These men are known to wear white native cloth with a red cap.

Another thing you would notice is the burial ceremony, which is carried out in the form of a celebration. There is dancing, food, and drinks for visitors.

In the eastern part of Nigeria, where I reside, there are also masquerade festivals, where you get to see different masquerades with canes.

Many other villages celebrate different festivals throughout the year. Some festivals that are celebrated include Iwa ji (New Yam Festival), Ofala, Imo Awka, Aguleri Ovala, Igu Aro, and Afiaolu Nnewi.

I have experienced the Iwa Ji festival celebration. During this celebration, the new yam is cooked and shared among villagers. There is happiness, love and lots of food to go around.

What to Consider When Choosing a Nigerian Village to Visit

Cost of living

The first thing you should check is the cost of living in that area. This includes things like housing, transportation, and even feeding.

Different areas have their main source of transportation, and it is usually affordable, but still confirm if you can, to be on the safe side.

In most Nigerian villages, you will find keke napep is the most accessible mode of transport. The food is also affordable in most places, and they are strictly local cuisines.

Basic amenities

Basic amenities include little things like access to clean water, health facilities, and electricity. Any village that lacks these amenities might be hard to stay in for a long time.

Conclusion

Most Nigerian villages are always filled with celebrations among the locals, and they can easily identify each other because they are related. In this article, I have shared my experience of staying in a Nigerian village in the East.

This is almost the same experience you will get from staying in a village setting in the East. The best part is that they have modern houses, some of which are built by single individuals.

Louis Ojibe

Hi, I’m Louis Ojibe, and I grew up around wildlife in Africa. I have always been fascinated by animals and nature across the world.
As a child, my parents used to take me to see wild animals like lions, elephants, gorillas, tortoises, and many others at our local zoo.