Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: Second Term
Week: 3
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Visual Art
Curriculum Theme: Indigenous Art and Craft
Previous Lesson: Indigenous Decorative Motif: Producing a Decorative Calabash.
Topic: INDIGENOUS DECORATIVE MOTIF
Subject Matter: Meaning of body decoration tattoo (slashing the skin and introducing irritants in wounds to form pronounced scar), body decorative motifs from photographs

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Describe the meaning and purpose of body decoration and tattooing.
Identify various indigenous decorative motifs from displayed samples.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the cultural significance of indigenous body decoration.
Value the diverse artistic expressions found in Nigerian traditional art.

Psychomotor Domain:

Sketch simple indigenous decorative motifs.
Differentiate between various styles of motifs.

Discuss the cultural context and importance of body decoration in groups.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Visual Art for Senior Secondary Schools Textbook 2

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Photographs of body motifs
Sample motif drawings
Cultural artefact images
Drawing books and pencils

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand indigenous decorative motifs and their cultural significance. It enables them to appreciate traditional art forms and their relevance in society, connecting art to cultural identity and practices.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of art forms, patterns, and some cultural practices in Nigeria.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

INDIGENOUS DECORATIVE MOTIF

Meaning of Body Decoration / Tattoo

Body decoration refers to the act of adorning the human body for aesthetic, cultural, or spiritual purposes. Tattooing is a form of permanent body decoration achieved by slashing the skin and introducing irritants or pigments into the wounds. This process causes pronounced scars or coloured designs to form on the body.

Purpose of Body Decoration / Tattoo

Indigenous body decoration and tattooing serve various purposes, including:

Cultural Identity: It signifies belonging to a particular ethnic group, clan, or community.
Beauty and Aesthetics: It enhances physical appearance and is considered a mark of beauty.
Ritual and Spiritual Significance: Used in initiation rites, religious ceremonies, or as a connection to the spiritual world.
Protection: Believed to offer protection against evil spirits or misfortune.
Status and Social Rank: Indicates a person’s achievements, marital status, age-grade, or social standing within the community.
Healing: Certain marks or patterns are believed to possess healing properties.

Types of Indigenous Decorative Motifs

Motifs are recurring elements, designs, or patterns used in art. Indigenous decorative motifs are often inspired by nature, human forms, or abstract concepts. Common types include:

Geometric Motifs: Patterns made of lines, circles, triangles, squares, and other geometric shapes (e.g., Igbo Uli patterns, Hausa embroidery designs).
Zoomorphic Motifs: Designs inspired by animals (e.g., snakes, birds, fish, leopards) often stylized.
Anthropomorphic Motifs: Patterns derived from human figures or parts of the human body, often abstract or symbolic.
Floral/Vegetal Motifs: Designs inspired by plants, flowers, leaves, and trees (e.g., stylized plant forms in Adire textiles).

Examples of Indigenous Decorative Motifs in Nigeria

Nigerian cultures have a rich heritage of decorative motifs. Examples include:

Uli: Linear, curvilinear, and abstract designs primarily from the Igbo people, used for body painting and wall decorations.
Nsibidi: A system of ideographic symbols from the Ejagham people of Cross River State, used for communication and decorative purposes.
Adire Patterns: Tie-dye and resist-dye patterns from the Yoruba people, often featuring geometric, floral, and symbolic designs.
Hausa Embroidery: Intricate geometric and calligraphic patterns used on traditional garments and leatherwork.
Igbo Scarification: Specific patterns of raised scars (Ichi) indicating social status and achievements.

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, reviews the previous lesson briefly, and then displays collected samples of body decorative motifs from photographs to introduce the topic.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, recall the previous lesson, and observe the displayed photographs with interest.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the lesson topic through visual aids.

Step 2: Meaning of Body Decoration / Tattoo

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of body decoration, focusing on tattooing as slashing the skin and introducing irritants to form pronounced scars, using examples from the displayed photographs.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, describe tattoo body decoration in their own words, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition of body decoration and tattooing.

Step 3: Purpose of Body Decoration / Tattoo

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elucidation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the various purposes of indigenous body decoration, such as cultural identity, beauty, ritual, protection, and status, prompting pupils to share their knowledge.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion by stating the purposes of body decoration and tattooing they are familiar with.
Learning Point: Pupils identify the various reasons for body decoration in different cultures.

Step 4: Types of Indigenous Decorative Motifs

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Identification/Classification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays more samples of motif drawings and cultural artefact images, guiding pupils to identify different types of indigenous decorative motifs like geometric, zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, and floral.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify various types of motifs from the displayed samples and categorize them.
Learning Point: Pupils can distinguish between different categories of indigenous motifs.

Step 5: Examples of Indigenous Decorative Motifs

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Illustration/Contextualization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides specific examples of indigenous decorative motifs from various Nigerian cultures, such as Uli, Nsibidi, and Adire patterns, explaining their cultural origins.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the examples and discuss the cultural context of the motifs.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about specific examples of motifs from different Nigerian cultures.

Step 6: Practical Demonstration

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to sketch a few simple indigenous decorative motifs on the board, guiding pupils through the basic steps.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and attempt to sketch simple motifs in their drawing books.
Learning Point: Pupils gain practical experience in drawing indigenous motifs.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

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

Define body decoration and tattoo.
State three purposes of indigenous body decoration.
Mention two types of indigenous decorative motifs.
Give an example of an indigenous decorative motif from a Nigerian culture.

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/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of indigenous decorative motifs in cultural expression, and assigns homework to research and draw an indigenous motif from their local culture.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for further exploration.

Lesson Keywords

Body decoration – Adorning the body for various purposes.
Tattoo – Permanent body mark made by introducing pigments/irritants into skin.
Scarification – Creating decorative scars on the body.
Motifs – Recurring design elements or patterns.
Indigenous – Originating from a particular place; native.
Decorative – Serving to make something look more attractive.
Cultural – Relating to the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a nation, people, or group.

Differentiation

For struggling learners, the teacher will provide simplified motif samples and step-by-step drawing guides. Advanced learners will be encouraged to research and create more complex motifs or analyze the symbolic meanings behind specific designs.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure they have a wide range of clear, age-appropriate visual examples of indigenous decorative motifs, preferably from local Nigerian cultures. Encourage pupils to share their own cultural experiences with body decoration if appropriate. Emphasize the historical and cultural context of these art forms to foster respect and understanding.