INTRODUCTION TO LOCAL CRAFTS

DEFINITIONS OF CRAFT

Craft is the skillful use of the hands in making functional and decorative objects from raw materials. Craft can also be defined as the handiwork that demonstrates unique craftsmanship skills. Craft revolves around activities that deal with theskillful making of functional and decorative products by hands and local materials. Craftsmen or artisans specialize in the making of various craftworks and crafts to earn a living in Nigeria.

 

CRAFTS AND THEIR LOCATION INNIGERIA

The following crafts and where the crafts are practiced are presented in a tabular form below 

CRAFT                                                          LOCATION

1. TIE AND DYE Kano ,Abeokuta,Sokoto and Oshogbo
2. BATIK Abeokuta and Oshogbo
3. APPLIQUE             Anambra
4. BEAD MAKING             Bida, Ife , Ilorin and Benin
5. METAL CRAFT Ife , Benin , Zaria and Anambra
6. Pottery             All the states in Nigeria.
7. BASKETRY             Zaria, Igbo land , Katsina and Kano
8. CLOTH WEAVING             Iseyin, Kogi and Imo
9. MAT WEAVING                         Zaria , Kano, Katsina ,BidaIkotEkpene and Badagry

10. WOOD CARVING             Oyo ,Ife and Benin
11. STONE CARVING             Ife and Esie
12. CALABASH CARVING             Oyo
13. LEATHER WORKS             Kano , Sokoto , Kwara, Kaduna and Zamfara

14. CANE WEAVING             Delta, Igbo land
15. PAPER CRAFTS             All the states in Nigeria.

 

FUNCTIONS OF THE CRAFTS

Generally, some craftworks serve domestic purposes in our homes and also, beads in form of anklets, bracelets and neck lace compliment women’s dressing.The functions of the crafts are stated below.

1. Basket is used for domestic purpose.
2. Mat is used for domestic purposes such as sitting, sleeping, praying etc.
3. Mortar and pestle serve as one of the cooking utensils for pounding yam.
4. Tea cup is used for drinking tea and the saucer serves as a platform for mounting the tea cup.
5. Some statues carved in wood and soapstone serve the purpose of idol worship while otherstatuesin wood are meant for interior decoration in homes.
6. Leather bag is meant for keeping valuable items.

 

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. What is craft?
2. List five types of craft and their location in Nigeria.
3. State three products of the craft and their function.
4. Explain three elements of art and design.
5. What are elements of art and design?
6. State two popular areas in Nigeria that practice metal craft.
7. What is the function of the basket as a product of basketry?

 

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. …..is the raw material or medium required in presenting three dimensional statues in stone carving (a) Wood  (b) Bronze  (c) Ivory  (d) Soapstone
2. Pottery is a craft that deals purely with the modeling of ceramic wares from ………..(a) brass (b) clay  (c) a mixture of wet pulped paper and starch (d)wood
3. ……is a craft that deals with the removal or chipping of unwanted parts from a solid piece of wood. (a) Pottery (b) Wood carving (c) Ivory carving  (d) Batik
4. A popular area in the Northern part of Nigeria where some craftsmen practice leather craft is ……..(a) Kastina (b) Kano  (c) Sokoto  (d) Zaria
5. Wood carving involves a …….method, whilemodelling involves an ………..method.

(a)subtractive/additive  (b)incising/engraving  (c)etching/plastocast (d)scratching/additive

 

THEORY

1. Mention one place in Nigeria where stone carving is practiced.
2. State the three chemicals used in tie and dye.

 

See also

DEALING IN FAKE DRUGS

RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CITIZENS

Causes and Effects of Advanced Fee Fraud

RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF A CITIZEN

Citizen of a Country