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Nativities from Nigeria
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The Federal Republic of Nigeria is located on the southern coast of West Africa between Benin and Cameroon. More than twice the size of California, Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa, with approximately 115 million people comprising about 250 ethnic groups. Individuals identify first with their ethnic group, second with their religion and third with their nationality, taking great pride in their personal history. The four main ethnic groups found in Nigeria include the Haussa, Fulani, Yoruba and Ibos. Approximately 40 percent of Nigerians are Christian while 50 percent are Muslim. The remaining 10 percent of the population practices traditional religions. Yams, cassava and rice are popular Nigerian staples. Because the country was colonized by the Portuguese and the British in the15 century, Nigeria's official language is English. English greetings like Hello, Good morning and Good evening are frequently used due to the diversity of customs, languages and cultures throughout Nigeria. On October 1, 1963, Nigeria became a republic, but has experienced political instability since that time.
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![In Ibadan, Nigeria, Olapade Adeyemo carves nativity figures from the wood of the thorny silk cotton tree, harvested from the forest. Taught to carve by his father, Olapade now passes on the skill to his children, and includes the whole family in the creative process to the extent that one of them has now set up his own retail shop. "This work has been part of our cultural heritage …[it] has been our family's source of livelihood," says Olapade. "The work has provided security for me, my wife and our children and sometimes even the extended family."](../Images/1403000.jpg)
