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

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

WOOD CARVING Oyo ,Ife and Benin
STONE CARVING Ife and Esie
CALABASH CARVING Oyo
LEATHER WORKS Kano , Sokoto , Kwara, Kaduna and Zamfara

CANE WEAVING Delta, Igbo land
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.

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

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

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

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

…..is the raw material or medium required in presenting three dimensional statues in stone carving (a) Wood (b) Bronze (c) Ivory (d) Soapstone
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
……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
A popular area in the Northern part of Nigeria where some craftsmen practice leather craft is ……..(a) Kastina (b) Kano (c) Sokoto (d) Zaria
Wood carving involves a …….method, whilemodelling involves an ………..method.