Basket and Mat Making for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 10
Age: 17 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Tourism
Previous Lesson: Clothing and Raffia Weaving
Topic: basket weaving
Subject Matter: mat making

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify the various materials used in mat making.
• Describe the steps involved in the mat making process.
• List different types of mats found in Nigeria.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the cultural significance of mat making.
• Recognise the economic importance of mat making to local communities and tourism.

Psychomotor Domain

• Observe and differentiate between various mat making materials.
• Sketch a simple diagram illustrating a stage of mat making.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2014 Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Tourism textbook for SS 3
• FCT ERC/NAPPS Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Samples of different types of mats (e.g., sleeping mats, prayer mats, decorative mats).
• Raw materials used in mat making (e.g., raffia palm leaves, dried grass, reeds, palm fronds).
• Pictures or video clips demonstrating the mat making process.
• Charts showing different mat designs and patterns.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it introduces students to mat making, a significant traditional craft in Nigeria. Understanding mat making helps students appreciate local craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and its potential contribution to the tourism sector through local markets and cultural displays. It also highlights the sustainable use of natural resources in craft production.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of traditional crafts and their role in cultural preservation from previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Mat Making

Meaning of Mat Making

Mat making is the traditional craft of weaving or plaiting natural fibres to create flat, durable items known as mats. These mats serve various purposes, including sleeping, praying, sitting, decorating, and covering floors.

Materials Used in Mat Making

Mat making primarily uses natural, locally sourced materials. The choice of material often depends on the region and the intended use of the mat. Common materials include:

1. Raffia Palm Leaves: These are widely used, especially in southern Nigeria, for their flexibility and strength.
2. Dried Grasses: Various types of tall grasses are harvested, dried, and then woven.
3. Reeds: Stiff, hollow-stemmed plants found in wetlands are also used.
4. Palm Fronds: Leaves from oil palm or other palm trees are dried and processed.
5. Sisal Fibre: A strong, durable fibre obtained from the sisal plant.
6. Bamboo Strips: Thin strips of bamboo are sometimes used for coarser, more rigid mats.
7. Dyes: Natural or synthetic dyes are used to colour the fibres, creating patterns and designs.

Process of Mat Making

The process of mat making is largely manual and involves several stages:

1. Material Collection: Raw materials like raffia leaves, grasses, or reeds are harvested from their natural environment.
2. Preparation of Materials:
   1. The collected materials are cleaned to remove dirt and impurities.
   2. They are then dried, often under the sun, to remove moisture and prevent decay.
   3. For materials like raffia, the leaves may be split into thinner strips.
   4. If coloured mats are desired, the fibres are dyed using natural or synthetic colours and then dried again.
3. Weaving/Plaiting: This is the core stage where the prepared fibres are interlaced.
   1. The weaver sets up a frame or simply works on a flat surface.
   2. Fibres are arranged either horizontally (warp) and vertically (weft) or diagonally.
   3. The fibres are then woven or plaited together in various patterns, creating the desired mat structure.
   4. Different weaving techniques produce different textures and patterns.
4. Finishing:
   1. Once the weaving is complete, the edges of the mat are trimmed and secured to prevent unraveling.
   2. Sometimes, the edges are reinforced with stronger fibres or sewn to create a neat finish.
   3. The finished mat may be flattened or pressed to ensure uniformity.

Types of Mats

Mats vary widely in size, design, and purpose. Some common types include:

1. Sleeping Mats: Large, comfortable mats used for sleeping, especially in rural areas.
2. Prayer Mats: Smaller, often intricately designed mats used by Muslims for prayer.
3. Sitting Mats: Used for sitting on the floor during social gatherings or meals.
4. Decorative Mats: Often colourful and patterned, used to adorn walls or floors in homes and public spaces.
5. Floor Mats/Rugs: Larger, more durable mats used to cover floors, similar to carpets.
6. Drying Mats: Used for drying agricultural products like grains or fish.

Importance of Mat Making in Tourism

Mat making contributes significantly to tourism in several ways:

1. Cultural Heritage: Mats are tangible expressions of local culture and traditions, attracting tourists interested in indigenous crafts.
2. Souvenirs and Handicrafts: Beautifully crafted mats serve as unique souvenirs that tourists can purchase, supporting local artisans.
3. Cultural Displays and Festivals: Mat making demonstrations and displays are often featured in cultural festivals and tourist centres, offering visitors an authentic experience.
4. Economic Empowerment: The sale of mats provides income for local communities, particularly women, contributing to rural development and poverty alleviation.
5. Authentic Experiences: Tourists can visit mat making villages or workshops to observe the process firsthand, creating memorable and educational experiences.
6. Accommodation Decor: Traditionally woven mats are sometimes used to decorate eco-lodges and culturally themed hotels, enhancing the authentic feel for tourists.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to mention any traditional items they use at home or have seen in their communities. The teacher then specifically asks if anyone has seen or used a mat and what it was made from.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning traditional items and sharing their experiences with mats.

Learning Point: Introduction to mats

Step 2: Identification of Materials

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays various samples of mats and raw materials (raffia, dried grass, etc.). The teacher guides students to identify and name the different materials used for mat making, explaining their characteristics.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the materials, identify them, and discuss their features.

Learning Point: Mat making materials

Step 3: Explanation of Mat Making Process (Part 1)

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visualisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the initial stages of mat making: material collection and preparation (cleaning, drying, splitting, dyeing). The teacher uses pictures or a video clip to illustrate these steps.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, ask questions, and observe the visual aids.

Learning Point: Material preparation steps

Step 4: Explanation of Mat Making Process (Part 2)

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher continues by explaining the weaving/plaiting and finishing stages of mat making. If possible, the teacher demonstrates a simple weaving technique or shows a detailed video of the process.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration or video, taking note of the weaving patterns and finishing touches.

Learning Point: Weaving and finishing

Step 5: Types of Mats

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Classification/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents different types of mats (e.g., sleeping, prayer, decorative) using the samples brought to class. The teacher discusses their specific uses and regional variations.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils examine the mat samples and discuss their uses and cultural contexts.

Learning Point: Different types of mats

Step 6: Importance of Mat Making in Tourism

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on how mat making contributes to tourism, highlighting its role in cultural heritage, souvenirs, and economic empowerment for local communities.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute ideas and examples of how mat making can attract tourists and benefit communities.

Learning Point: Tourism benefits of mats

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Mention three materials used in mat making.
2. Describe two stages in the mat making process.
3. List two types of mats you know.
4. How does mat making contribute to tourism?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Mat making understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on mat making materials, process, and importance into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Mat making notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, re-emphasising the cultural and economic importance of mat making as a traditional craft and its relevance to tourism. The teacher encourages students to observe mats in their environment and appreciate the skill involved.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask any final clarifying questions.

Learning Point: Mat making significance

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Project

Instruction: Research and present your findings.

1. Find out about a specific community in Nigeria known for mat making and describe their unique techniques or designs.
2. Interview an artisan involved in mat making in your locality (if possible) and write a short report on their experiences.
3. Draw and label the different parts of a mat or illustrate one stage of the mat making process.

Lesson Keywords

• Mat making – The craft of weaving or plaiting natural fibres into mats.
• Raffia palm – A type of palm tree whose leaves are used for weaving mats and other crafts.
• Weaving – The process of interlacing two distinct sets of threads or fibres to form a fabric or mat.
• Plaiting – The process of interlacing three or more strands of material to form a braid or mat.
• Artisan – A skilled craft worker who makes things by hand.

Differentiation

For students who grasp the concepts quickly, encourage them to research the historical origins of mat making in different Nigerian cultures or explore how modern designs incorporate traditional mat making techniques. For students needing more support, provide simplified diagrams of the weaving process and focus on identifying the main materials and basic steps.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, students can search on YouTube for:
traditional mat making nigeria tourism SS3
raffia mat weaving process nigeria