Grim White Green

Thoughts on Nigeria & blackness.

Naming Ceremony

The word “denigrate” is derived from the Latin word denigrates, the past participle of denigrare. It means to blacken. Denigrare is from nigr-, niger i.e. black.

“Denigrate” was coined in 1526.

Nigeria derived its name from this word, niger ( Niger + area = Nigeria).

The etimology of Nigeria is therefore “black area” or “black space”, or “area occupied by blacks.”

While the British named their colonial control “Nigeria”, the French named their territory “Niger”. At independence, Niger became the Republic du Niger on August 3, 1960.

Nigeria of course became independent on October 1,1960. It is now known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria.