https://nigeria.craftpedia.africa/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Kanuri_BasketryKanuri Basketry - Revision history2026-04-11T13:48:04ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.1https://nigeria.craftpedia.africa/index.php?title=Kanuri_Basketry&diff=195&oldid=prevNiger afr adm: Created page with "'''Kanuri Basketry''' is a traditional craft of the Kanuri people of Borno State and the Lake Chad region in northeastern Nigeria. The craft produces a variety of woven containers used for grain storage, transport, and trade, reflecting the semi-arid environment and long history of trans-Saharan commerce in the region. == Historical Background == Basketry among the Kanuri dates back to the Kanem–Bornu Empire (c. 9th–19th centuries), when woven containers played a cr..."2026-02-23T08:55:32Z<p>Created page with "'''Kanuri Basketry''' is a traditional craft of the Kanuri people of Borno State and the Lake Chad region in northeastern Nigeria. The craft produces a variety of woven containers used for grain storage, transport, and trade, reflecting the semi-arid environment and long history of trans-Saharan commerce in the region. == Historical Background == Basketry among the Kanuri dates back to the Kanem–Bornu Empire (c. 9th–19th centuries), when woven containers played a cr..."</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>'''Kanuri Basketry''' is a traditional craft of the Kanuri people of Borno State and the Lake Chad region in northeastern Nigeria. The craft produces a variety of woven containers used for grain storage, transport, and trade, reflecting the semi-arid environment and long history of trans-Saharan commerce in the region.<br />
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== Historical Background ==<br />
Basketry among the Kanuri dates back to the Kanem–Bornu Empire (c. 9th–19th centuries), when woven containers played a crucial role in agricultural storage and long-distance trade. Baskets were used to store millet and sorghum and to transport goods across caravan routes linking the Lake Chad Basin to North Africa.<br />
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The craft developed in response to the Sahelian climate, requiring storage solutions that protect food supplies from heat, pests, and moisture.<br />
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== Materials and Construction ==<br />
Kanuri basket makers use drought-resistant plant materials found in the Sahel, including:<br />
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* Date palm fibers <br />
* Doum palm leaves <br />
* Millet stalks <br />
* Desert grasses <br />
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Materials are split, dried, and woven into tightly constructed forms designed for durability and protection of stored food.<br />
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Some baskets are reinforced with leather strips to increase longevity during transport.<br />
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== Functions and Uses ==<br />
Traditional uses include:<br />
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* Storage of millet, sorghum, and other grains <br />
* Transport of agricultural produce <br />
* Containers for caravan trade goods <br />
* Household storage <br />
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Lidded baskets are particularly valued for protecting food from pests and dust in desert environments.<br />
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== Cultural Significance ==<br />
Kanuri basketry reflects the region’s adaptation to arid conditions and its historic role in trans-Saharan trade networks. The craft embodies practical knowledge passed through generations and remains an important element of household economy in rural communities.<br />
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== See also ==<br />
* [[Kanuri people]]<br />
* [[Kanem–Bornu Empire]]<br />
* [[Trans-Saharan trade]]<br />
* [[African basketry]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
* Barkindo, Bawuro M. ''Studies in the History of the Kanem-Bornu Empire''. University of Lagos Press, 1989.<br />
* Lovejoy, Paul E. ''Caravans of Kola: The Hausa Kola Trade, 1700–1900''. Zaria, 1980.<br />
* National Commission for Museums and Monuments (Nigeria). ''Traditional Crafts of the Lake Chad Region''. Lagos.<br />
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[[Category:Basketry]]<br />
[[Category:Nigerian crafts]]<br />
[[Category:Borno State]]<br />
[[Category:Kanuri culture]]</div>Niger afr adm