London Biennale

London Design Biennale

Nigerian Pavillion

‘Hopes and Impediments’

Nigerian Pavilion


Nok terracotta sculptures


Nok terracotta sculptures

By First Name Last name

Khadijah Dikko

The Nok terracotta sculptures, dating to the first millennium BCE, are a crucial part of northern Nigeria's cultural heritage, with their ritualistic and artistic significance contributing to the collective memory of the region. These clay figures, often depicting human and animal forms, were likely used in ceremonial contexts, marking an early development in Sub-Saharan African figurative art. Similarly, the Kofar Mata dye pits in Kano, established in 1498, are central to the cultural identity of the region, where indigo-dyeing techniques have been passed down for centuries. These pits once supplied the textile trade across the Sahara, shaping both local and international economies. The enduring influence of these crafts, from iron-working at Nok to indigo-dyeing at Kofar Mata, highlights the North’s historical role in shaping broader cultural traditions. These sites and their practices continue to preserve the region's identity, linking past artisanal excellence to modern-day cultural pride and innovation.


The Nok terracotta sculptures, dating to the first millennium BCE, are a crucial part of northern Nigeria's cultural heritage, with their ritualistic and artistic significance contributing to the collective memory of the region. These clay figures, often depicting human and animal forms, were likely used in ceremonial contexts, marking an early development in Sub-Saharan African figurative art. Similarly, the Kofar Mata dye pits in Kano, established in 1498, are central to the cultural identity of the region, where indigo-dyeing techniques have been passed down for centuries. These pits once supplied the textile trade across the Sahara, shaping both local and international economies. The enduring influence of these crafts, from iron-working at Nok to indigo-dyeing at Kofar Mata, highlights the North’s historical role in shaping broader cultural traditions. These sites and their practices continue to preserve the region's identity, linking past artisanal excellence to modern-day cultural pride and innovation.





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