first finds of terracotta objects in 1928. Dating between about 900 BC
and 300 AD, the terracotta objects are of great significance as
evidence of the oldest pre-colonial society in sub-Saharan Africa.
The settlement called Nok village in the southern part of Kaduna State
is the centre of the ancient Iron Age civlization that existed in
central Nigerian area between about 900 BC and 300 AD. It is
considered to be the oldest recognisable pre-colonial society in
sub-Saharan Africa.
The Nok civilization was discovered in 1928 due to tin mining that was
happening in the area and earned it name due to the Nok civilization
that used to inhabit the area from around 500 BC. Mysteriously the
people of the village vanished in about 200 AD. These people were
known for their extremely advanced social system and were the earliest
producers of life-sized Terracotta in the Sub-Sahara.
Hugely historical, archeologists have found human skeletons, stone
tools and rock paintings around this area, not to mention the main
act. The inhabitants of what is now called Nok Village, were known to
make some of the oldest and culturally intriguing sculptures found in
Africa. This led to discoveries that the ancient culture of Nok has
been around for some 2500 years. When strolling through the village
your senses will be delighted to rediscover an amazing group of people
culturally and socially.
Among the oldest works of art ever known in Nigeria are the Nok
terra-wita heads, and terra-cotta figures. Terra-cotta is a technical
work, meaning baked clay'. By 1977, about 153 Nok terra -cotta pieces
had been found during mining operations accidentally.
The three main sites of excavation of Nok objects include Nok, Taruga
and Katsina – Ala. A lot of materials have been discovered later by
some archaeologists. Notable among them is Bernard Fagg, a British
national, who happened to be a Research Professor of Archaeology at
University of Ibadan, and one time Director of Federal Department of
Antiquities (now National Commission for Museums and Monuments) who
excavated some Nok sites in 1944.
It is said that about 60% of Nok terra-cotta figures are males, which
are identified by their attire, body decorations, hairdos, smell,
beards, and moustache. The Nok terra-cotta objects are used for
rituals and as commemorative sculptures of local chiefs, or
dignitaries, kings, queens and priests
Not much is known about the purposes of these popular sculptures but
some theories have suggested they were used to as charms to prevent
crop failure, illness and infertility. You will really feel as if you
had the best history lesson of your life. Weapons of war, terra cotta
heads of man and animals are abundant as you realize your dream is
actually a reality. Nok village is a great place to take your family
and be able to learn together about our world amazing past.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Your Comment is very important to us. Pls drop your comment after reading our post. it will help us to improve. Thank you