Culture is the way of life of a people. In Nigeria, culture is Art. It is religion, it is tradition, it is environment, and it is life itself. Art in Nigeria dates back to over 2,000 years and in the archaeological discoveries that depicted the works of the people, the culture of the various peoples of Nigeria is also illustrated.
Nok Culture
The Nok culture was also discovered through archaeological finds. It is considered the earliest culture that emerged in Nigeria. The name Nok came from the site in which it was first discovered, but it seems to have fairly widespread in the region north of the Benue. The characteristic features of the Nok culture which flourished from 500 BC to AD 200 are the terracotta figurines associated with it and the extensive use of iron. The source of the knowledge of an iron technology has been attributed to the civilization of b”Meroe” in what is today the Republic of Sudan, as well as to Carthage in North Africa.
Brass and Bronze Casting
Brass or bronze casting is still made but there is nothing produced now to compare with the fabulous lfe and Benin bronzes. This perfect example of portraiture and the “cire Perdue” method of casting, together with the equally perfect
Terracotta’s thought to be of the same period and possibly by the same craftsmen, have no equals anywhere. Apart from the Benin and lfe bronzes, archaeological finds at lgbo-Ukwu, in Enugu State, have revealed advanced ancient works of art. The lgbo-Ukwu bronzes which have elaborate intricate symmetrical designs are as remarkable as the letter known lfe works.
Grass Weaving
Because grass is plentiful in the northern parts of Nigeria, northern craftsmen and women make grass baskets, fans, tables and floor mats. Some of the objects are beautifully colored and are durable.
Wood Carving
Though places like Benin and Akwa are acknowledged as centers of wood-carving, wood carvers have flourished all over southern Nigeria since time immemorial, making figures for shrines, portraiture, masks, representations of the spirits of the field, forest, stream, earth, sea, sky, water, fire and thunder. The works of old carvers remain in many villages where they provide the villages with their shrines, utensils and ornaments to this day. Many of the older examples of these products are preserved in the national and other museums.
Ivory Carving
Ivory carvings have for many years adorned ancestral altars in Benin and the palaces of Nigerian rulers. Ivory carvings are also available in homes and offices as paper knives, inlaid cigar boxes, cigarette holders, ladies earrings, hatpins, necklaces, bangles and innumerable small pieces of decor.
Glass and Metal Work
The metal works, glass beads and bangles of Bida are familiar articles to visitors to Nigeria. The bead makers in particular preserve their ancient skills as a family tradition. The metal workers were originally the armored of the north. Their art is now applied to the production of skillfully fashioned and decorated trays, bowls, and pots, rings, bangles and the like.
Leather and Calabash
The skin popularly known as Morocco leather comes from goatskin from Sokoto. It was erroneously given the name “Morocco leather” because, until recently, it reached Europe through Moroccan traders who bought them from Nigerian caravan traders across the Sahara Desert. Excellent leatherwork and calabash carvings are produced in Kano and Oyo.
Pottery
Excavations have shown that pottery attained a high level of development in Nigeria several hundred years ago. The tradition has been maintained and Nigerian pottery today ranks among the most artistic in the world.
The best known pottery centre in the country is Suleja in Niger State. In 1963, a Nigerian pottery worker, the Late Dr. Ladi Kwali, toured Great Britain and Europe to demonstrate the art of pottery-making in Nigeria. Products of the Pottery centre at Okigwe in Imo State were widely distributed in Nigeria and abroad.
Cloth Weaving
Another outstanding craft of Nigeria is cloth weaving. The popular Akwete cloth woven in a town of that name in Abia State is fast changing the dress fashion of many women who live in, or come to the country. Produced on a broad loom, Akwete is usually about 1,200 millimeters wide. It is produced in attractive designs and rich colors.
There is also the “Aso-Oke” woven on narrow looms notably at lseyin in Oyo State, the Ebira weaving at Okene, Kogi State
Painting
Apart from such crafts as bronze-casting, wood carving, leather work, pottery and weaving, a form of artistic expression that has quietly gained a stronghold but has not been given its due recognition in Nigeria is painting. As a medium of artistic expression, painting is not completely new in the country. The two groups of rock paintings in Kano and Bauchi are the most important yet found in the country, the Bimin Kudu cattle paintings and symbolic drawings show affinity to some Saharan paintings.
The coloring of masks monochromatically or polychromatic ally is also a form of painting that has been in existence in Nigeria for as long as the festivals and ceremonies for which such objects were made. Body paintings and decorations for ceremonial rites and festivals are also a common practice in many parts of the country. The designs and decoration used in body-painting possess esoteric connotations and the human body so painted at times in varied colors, visually becomes a really beautiful “living art piece”.
Another form of artistic expression closely akin to painting that has been in practice in the country for a long time is the multicolored decoration of the inner and outer walls of houses with beautiful and elaborate symbols and designs. Some of such designs have their origin in the Islamic influence on Nigerian culture and are popular in the northern parts of the country.
National Council for Arts and Culture
The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) was established by Decree No. 3 of 1975 after the dissolution of the former Nigerian Arts Council. It started operations in 1976 with the constitution of its Governing Council and the appointment of a Secretary and other supportive staff. The NCAC is a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. The Council was set up to coordinate, promote and foster the appreciation, revival and development of Nigerian arts and culture among others
The National Theatre
The imposing National Theatre overlooking the Eko Bridge and standing 31 meters above ground level was built by the Federal Government in 1976. It is under the management of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. It covers an area of 23,000 square meters and its graduation of forms and contours, its proportions and radial development, give it characteristic deep shades and contrasts, which form a befitting monument to the role it plays.
The theatre complex comprises a main hall capable of seating approximately 5,000 spectators; a conference hall with 1,500 seats, and two cinema halls with a sitting capacity of 800 each. There is also a V.I.P. complex which also includes a reception hall for the Head of State. Other facilities include a press complex, dressing rooms and cubicles for performers and contestants, translators, a fully furnished kitchen and fire alarm system. Telephone and telex systems link the whole complex with the outside world. Delegates to international conferences can tune in to any of the six languages transmitted.
