Indigenous Technology, Pottery and Bead Making Industries in Pre-Colonial Ile-Ife
), Oyedele Oluokun(2),
(1) Ajayi Crowther University
(2) University of Mississippi
Corresponding Author
Abstract
In the time past, technology had played prominent roles in the production of objects that enhanced living and made life habitable for mankind. In recent time, this has indeed come to be regarded as a sine qua non of economic and socio-political greatness of any nation. The research question guiding this study is: How did indigenous technology in pottery and bead-making shape the social and economic fabrics of Ile-Ife in the pre-colonial era? The aim of the study therefore is to examine the indigenous technology and craftsmanship of pottery and bead making in Ile-Ife, an ancient Yoruba city in the pre-colonial era and their impact on the people’s life particularly in the area of economy and socio-cultural. The study relies on diligent collection and interpretation of primary and secondary sources as well as field survey for personal observation. Information from various sources were compared, analyzed and interpreted for a coherent narration of Ife technology history. Through a combination of archaeological evidence and historical records, the findings reveal that the pottery and bead-making industries were not only vital economic activities but also integral to the spiritual and cultural life of the people of Ile-Ife. The study argues that Ile-Ife pottery and bead making industries demonstrate a rich cultural heritage and a high level of craftsmanship that predates colonial influence and impacted the socio-cultural and economic life of the people. This is a testament to the fact that Africans had their own unique ways of manufacturing goods and providing services before the intrusion of the Europeans into their domains.
Keywords
References
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