Introduction to Local Craft – JSS1 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (Second Term)

A craft is an activity in which people make useful or decorative things skilfully by hand, often in a traditional way.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define craft and state its meanings.
2. Name and describe seven types of crafts in Nigeria.
3. State the characteristics of craft and how it differs from fine art.
4. List common craft tools and local materials.
5. Explain the economic, cultural and social importance of crafts.
6. State the challenges facing traditional crafts and the efforts made to preserve them.

What is a craft?

A craft is the making of objects by hand using skill, simple tools and often traditional methods.

The word “craft” has three meanings:

• An activity: work that needs manual skill and creativity.
• A trade: the skilled practice of a particular trade or art form.
• An object: a thing made by hand using traditional methods.

Key words

• Craftsperson: a person who makes crafts skilfully, also called an artisan.
• Loom: a frame or machine used to weave thread into cloth.
• Kiln: an oven or open fire used to bake clay until it is hard.
• Tanning: the treatment of animal skin to turn it into leather.
• Resist dyeing: tying, stitching or pasting parts of cloth so they do not take dye.

What is the historical background of craft?

Crafts began in ancient times, when people first made tools, pots and decorative objects by hand.

• Early people: made tools, baskets, pots and clothing for daily life.
• Guilds: groups of skilled workers who protected their trade and trained young learners.
• Nigerian example: the bronze casters of Benin Kingdom worked as a guild under the Oba.
• Status: craftspeople held important places in society because they made essential items.

What are the types of crafts in Nigeria?

There are seven main types of local craft in Nigeria: basketry, pottery, textiles, beadwork, leather work, wood carving and metal work.

1. Basketry

Basketry is the weaving of plant materials into baskets and mats.

• Materials: raffia, cane, grass and palm fronds.
• Spread: found in all regions of Nigeria.
• Uses: storage, farming, fishing and decoration.
• Patterns: different weaving patterns identify different communities.

2. Pottery

Pottery is the making of clay vessels that are hardened by fire.

• Products: pots for cooking, water storage and ceremonies.
• Centres: Ilorin and Suleja are well-known pottery centres.
• Firing: traditional potters often use open firing or simple kilns.
• Decoration: patterns on pots often carry cultural meanings.

3. Textile crafts

Textile crafts are the making and decorating of cloth by weaving and dyeing.

• Aso-oke: strip-woven cloth made by the Yoruba on traditional looms.
• Akwete cloth: woven by Igbo women of Akwete, known for its detailed patterns.
• Adire: Yoruba cloth decorated by tie-dye and other resist-dyeing methods.
• Indigo dyeing: cloth dyed in deep dye pits, as in Kano.

4. Beadwork

Beadwork is the making of objects by stringing or sewing beads.

• Products: jewellery, crowns and ceremonial costumes.
• Use: important in royal regalia and traditional ceremonies.
• Meaning: colours and patterns can have symbolic meanings.
• Materials: glass beads, cowrie shells and seeds.

5. Leather work

Leather work is the making of articles from tanned animal skins.

• Centres: strong in Northern Nigeria, for example Kano and Sokoto.
• Products: bags, shoes, belts, cushions and pouffes.
• Tanning: traditional tanners use local plant materials.
• Decoration: items are often decorated with colourful patterns.

6. Wood carving

Wood carving is the shaping of wood into useful and decorative objects.

• Products: masks, sculptures, doors, stools and furniture.
• Styles: each ethnic group has its own carving styles.
• Symbols: designs often show religious and cultural symbols.
• Tools: chisels, knives and adzes.

7. Metal work

Metal work is the shaping of metals into tools, ornaments and sculptures.

• Bronze casting: a famous tradition of Benin Kingdom, done by the lost-wax method.
• Blacksmithing: making tools such as hoes and cutlasses from iron.
• Brass work: making decorative items from brass.
• Silver and gold smithing: making jewellery.

How is a clay pot made?

A clay pot is made by preparing clay, shaping it, drying it and firing it.

1. Dig the clay and remove stones and roots.
2. Soak the clay in water and knead it until it is smooth.
3. Shape the pot by pinching or coiling.
4. Smooth the surface and add patterns.
5. Dry the pot slowly in the shade.
6. Fire the pot in a kiln or open fire until it is hard.

How is adire cloth made?

Adire is made by blocking parts of a cloth so that they resist dye.

1. Choose a plain cotton cloth.
2. Tie, stitch or paste parts of the cloth to resist dye.
3. Dip the cloth in dye, usually indigo.
4. Remove the ties or paste after dyeing.
5. Rinse and dry the cloth to show the pattern.

What are the characteristics of craft?

The characteristics of craft are the features that make a product a craft.

1. Handmade nature: made mainly by hand with simple tools.
2. Traditional techniques: methods passed down through generations.
3. Functional purpose: often made to meet practical needs.
4. Cultural identity: reflects the customs and beliefs of a community.
5. Skill-based: needs training and regular practice.

What is the difference between craft and fine art?

Craft is skilled handwork that is usually made to be used. Fine art is work made mainly to be admired for its beauty and ideas, such as painting.

What tools and materials are used in craft?

Craft tools are the instruments used to shape materials, and local materials are the natural resources found around us.

Basic tools

• Cutting tools: knives, scissors and chisels.
• Measuring tools: rulers and tape measures.
• Joining tools: needles, thread and glue.
• Shaping tools: hammers, mallets and pliers.
• Finishing tools: sandpaper, files and polish.

Local materials

• Plant fibres: raffia, bamboo, rattan and cotton.
• Earth materials: clay, mud and sand.
• Wood: iroko and mahogany.
• Animal products: leather, bone and shells.
• Metals: iron, brass, bronze and copper.

Why are crafts important?

Crafts are important because they give economic, cultural and social benefits.

Economic importance

• Income: a source of income for families.
• Jobs: creates employment opportunities.
• Tourism: attracts visitors who buy local products.
• Export: can earn money from foreign buyers.
• Local economy: supports local businesses and markets.

Cultural importance

• Knowledge: keeps traditional knowledge alive.
• Identity: maintains cultural identity.
• Festivals: used in ceremonies and festivals.
• History: tells historical stories through designs.
• Skills: passes skills to new generations.

Social importance

• Unity: brings communities together.
• Expression: gives room for creative expression.
• Recreation: has relaxing and recreational value.
• Pride: builds self-esteem and pride.
• Exchange: encourages cultural exchange.

What challenges face traditional crafts?

Traditional crafts face challenges that threaten their survival.

• Machine-made goods: cheap factory products compete with handmade ones.
• Youth interest: many young people prefer other jobs.
• Raw materials: some materials are becoming scarce.
• Markets: many craftspeople have limited access to buyers.

How can traditional crafts be preserved?

Traditional crafts can be preserved through support, training, display and protection.

• Government support: programmes that help craftspeople.
• Craft centres and museums: places that train, display and sell crafts.
• Festivals and exhibitions: events that show crafts to the public.
• School programmes: teaching crafts in schools.
• Recognition and protection: international recognition of craft heritage.

What is contemporary craft practice?

Contemporary craft practice is the way modern craftspeople blend old skills with new ideas.

• Methods: they combine traditional and modern techniques.
• Materials: they use new materials alongside traditional ones.
• Markets: they make products for modern buyers.
• Designs: they adapt designs to modern tastes.
• Technology: they use phones and the internet for marketing and sales.

Where are some notable craft centres in Nigeria?

Some places in Nigeria are well known for particular crafts.

• Nike Art Gallery (Lagos): displays and sells many kinds of craft.
• Kano dye pits: traditional indigo cloth dyeing.
• Benin City: bronze casting.
• Abeokuta: adire cloth.
• Akwete (Abia State): Akwete cloth.
• Suleja: pottery.

Why should students learn a craft?

Students should learn a craft because crafts are part of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

• Heritage: crafts show the creativity and traditions of Nigerian ethnic groups.
• Preservation: practising crafts helps keep these traditions alive.
• Income: a craft skill can provide future income.
• Roots: every student can learn at least one craft that links them to their culture.

Evaluation

1. Define craft.
2. List five characteristics of craft.
3. State three differences between craft and fine art.
4. Name four materials used in making baskets, pottery or beadwork.
5. State two challenges facing traditional crafts.

Assignment

List five types of crafts in Nigeria, name one material used for each, and state three ways crafts help the economy.