Idoma Basketry
Idoma Basketry is a traditional craft of the Idoma people of Benue State, Nigeria. The craft produces woven baskets used for yam storage, agriculture, transport, and domestic purposes, reflecting the Idoma’s agrarian lifestyle in the Middle Belt region.
Historical Background
The Idoma have long practiced farming, particularly the cultivation of yams, which hold deep cultural and economic importance. Basketry developed as an essential support craft, enabling the harvesting, transport, and storage of agricultural produce.
Historically, Idoma baskets were used to carry yams and other crops to village markets and regional trade centers, contributing to local exchange networks along the Benue River.
Materials and Construction
Idoma basket makers use plant materials available in savanna and riverine environments, including:
- Raffia palm fibers
- Bamboo
- Palm fronds
- Grasses
Materials are harvested, split, and dried before weaving into strong containers suitable for heavy loads.
Some baskets are designed with open weaves for ventilation, while others are tightly woven for storage.
Functions and Uses
Traditional uses include:
- Transporting and storing yams
- Carrying agricultural produce to markets
- Storage of dried foods
- Household organization and storage
Large baskets are especially important during harvest seasons.
Cultural Significance
Basketry reflects the Idoma people’s agricultural traditions and the central role of yams in their culture. The craft demonstrates ecological knowledge and supports food security and local trade.
Basket-making skills are traditionally passed down within families and remain part of rural livelihoods.
See also
References
- Armstrong, Robert G. The Idoma-speaking Peoples. London, 1955.
- Ochonu, Moses E. Colonialism by Proxy: Hausa Imperial Agents and Middle Belt Consciousness in Nigeria. Indiana University Press, 2014.
- National Commission for Museums and Monuments (Nigeria). Traditional Crafts of Central Nigeria. Lagos.
