Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 7
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Visual Art
Curriculum Theme: Indigenous Craft
Previous Lesson: Cloth Weaving: Warp, Weft, Shuttle and Loom Types.
Topic: INDIGENOUS CRAFT BASKETRY AND MAT MAKING
Subject Matter: Major cloth weaving centres in Nigeria and their products.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Enumerate at least four major cloth weaving centres in Nigeria.
Identify the specific products associated with each weaving centre.
Describe the characteristics of selected Nigerian woven fabrics.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the cultural significance and artistry of Nigerian indigenous woven fabrics.
Value the economic importance of traditional weaving to local communities.

Psychomotor Domain:

Distinguish between different types of woven fabrics based on their features and origin.
Point out the locations of these weaving centres on a map of Nigeria.

Discuss the historical context and evolution of weaving traditions in Nigeria.
Collaborate in identifying and describing various woven textiles.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Cultural and Creative Arts for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 2.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Photographs of woven fabrics from different Nigerian centres.
A map of Nigeria highlighting relevant states.
Actual textile samples or fabric swatches (if available).

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria through its indigenous cloth weaving. It enables them to appreciate the diversity of traditional arts and crafts and their importance to local economies and identities.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of Nigerian culture and geography, and may have seen different types of traditional attire.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Major Cloth Weaving Centres in Nigeria and Their Products

Introduction to Cloth Weaving

Cloth weaving is an ancient craft involving the interlacing of two sets of threads, the warp and the weft, to create fabric. Nigeria is rich in diverse weaving traditions, with various centres known for their unique styles and products.

Akwete Weaving Centre

Location: Ukwa East Local Government Area, Abia State (Igbo land).
Product/Features: Akwete cloth is known for its intricate patterns, vibrant colours, and unique designs. It is traditionally woven on a vertical loom by women and often incorporates geometric patterns, animal motifs, and sometimes silk threads for added lustre. It is used for special occasions and traditional attire.

Aso Oke Weaving Centre

Location: Yoruba land, particularly in towns like Iseyin (Oyo State), Okene (Kogi State), and parts of Ondo and Osun States.
Product/Features: Aso Oke (meaning ‘top cloth’ or ‘prestige cloth’) is a hand-woven fabric made from cotton, silk, or metallic threads. It is characterized by its heavy texture, rich patterns, and bold colours. Different patterns and colours signify different occasions or social status. It is a prominent traditional attire for ceremonies like weddings, festivals, and chieftaincy installations.

Akwa Ocha Weaving Centre

Location: Anioma area of Delta State (Igbo land).
Product/Features: Akwa Ocha (meaning ‘white cloth’) is a distinct white fabric woven from cotton. It is traditionally associated with spirituality, purity, and traditional leadership. It is worn by chiefs, elders, and during important cultural and sacred ceremonies. It often has simple, elegant patterns, sometimes with subtle stripes.

Okene Weaving Centre

Location: Okene, Kogi State (Ebira people).
Product/Features: Okene cloth is a highly decorative woven fabric, often mistaken for Aso Oke due to similarities in technique and use. However, Okene patterns are distinct, featuring complex geometric designs and vibrant colour combinations. It is known for its fine texture and is primarily used for traditional attire during ceremonies and important events.

Sanya Weaving Centre

Location: Iseyin, Oyo State (Yoruba land).
Product/Features: Sanya is a specific type of Aso Oke, distinguished by its fine texture and often made from fine cotton or silk. It is highly valued for its quality and intricate designs, making it a luxurious option for traditional wear.

Decorated Fabric in Bida

Location: Bida, Niger State (Nupe people).
Product/Features: Bida is known for its beautifully decorated fabrics, which often involve weaving with embellishments like embroidery, appliqué, and sometimes dyeing techniques. These fabrics are used for traditional clothing, ceremonial robes, and household textiles, showcasing a blend of weaving and decorative arts.

Anger Weaving Centre

Location: Benue State (Tiv people).
Product/Features: Anger is the traditional woven cloth of the Tiv people. It is characterized by its bold black and white stripes, sometimes with additional colours like blue or red. Anger cloth is central to Tiv identity and culture, worn during festivals, traditional dances, and significant life events.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to name any traditional Nigerian clothing they know or have worn.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by naming various traditional attires like Agbada, Iro and Buba, wrappers, etc.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and connect to the topic through prior knowledge.

Step 2: Explanation of Cloth Weaving

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly explains what cloth weaving is, using simple terms, and shows pictures or samples of woven fabrics.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and observe the samples or pictures.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic concept of weaving.

Step 3: Discussion of Akwete and Aso Oke Weaving Centres

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Exposition/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces Akwete and Aso Oke weaving centres, their locations, and shows examples of their products, explaining their unique features.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the locations on the map and observe the fabric samples/pictures, asking questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about two major weaving centres and their distinct products.

Step 4: Discussion of Akwa Ocha and Okene Weaving Centres

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Exposition/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents Akwa Ocha and Okene weaving centres, their locations, and the characteristics of their woven fabrics, comparing and contrasting them where relevant.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the materials and participate in discussions, noting similarities and differences.
Learning Point: Pupils gain knowledge of two more significant weaving traditions.

Step 5: Discussion of Sanya, Bida, and Anger Weaving Centres

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Exposition/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses Sanya, Bida, and Anger weaving traditions, highlighting their specific locations, products, and cultural significance with visual aids.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils pay attention to the details and ask questions about the cultural uses of the fabrics.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about additional diverse weaving centres across Nigeria.

Step 6: General Features and Importance of Indigenous Fabrics

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the general importance of these indigenous fabrics (cultural identity, economic value, artistry) and their common features.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion, sharing their thoughts on the importance of preserving these crafts.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the broader significance of the lesson content.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Enumerate any three major cloth weaving centres in Nigeria.
Name the product associated with Akwete weaving centre.
What are two distinguishing features of Aso Oke fabric?
Which Nigerian state is known for Akwa Ocha fabric?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson by reiterating the importance of Nigerian indigenous weaving and encourages pupils to appreciate and promote these cultural arts.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and copy the board summary.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are encouraged to value cultural heritage.

Lesson Keywords

Weaving – The process of making cloth by interlacing threads.
Loom – A device used for weaving fabric.
Akwete – A traditional woven cloth from Abia State.
Aso Oke – A hand-woven fabric from Yoruba land, used for traditional attire.
Akwa Ocha – A sacred white cloth from Anioma, Delta State.
Anger – The traditional striped cloth of the Tiv people.
Textile – Any cloth or fabric made by weaving.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research other less common weaving centres in Nigeria or different types of looms. For those needing more support, the teacher will provide simplified notes and additional visual aids, focusing on identifying the most prominent weaving centres and their products.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure they have clear visual aids (photographs, maps, or actual fabric samples) to make the lesson engaging and concrete. Encourage pupils to share personal experiences with traditional fabrics. Emphasize the cultural and economic importance of preserving these indigenous crafts.