CHAPTER 10: Local Crafts and Indigenous Technology

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Local craft is the traditional manual skill of a community that is synonymous with indigenous technology. They are artworks that could be done with hands or manual skills. Ngumah, Ayoola, Dalhatu, and Samkay (2013), define crafts as manually produced objects (articles) meant to serve a particular purpose or human need. Local craft is also known as handcraft. This is because the process of making the article involves the use of skilled hands. From time immemorial, craftwork has been a source of revenue for many Nigerians, and this has encouraged archaeologists to explore more about the ancient arts and crafts in Nigeria. Traditional arts are practised in towns and  villages while most of the works of art designed by craftspeople from across the country are sold in major urban markets. Crafts based on a long-standing tradition of a particular group of people are called local crafts.