The magnificent civilization of Nok held sway at about 500 BC and was located in North central Nigeria.This civilization was the first in Subsaharan Africa to possess the knowledge,science and artistic ability to work with metal and produce high art.Infact,it is linked to the kingdoms of Axum and Meroe of Sudan,and by extension,Egypt.
It was the mining activities of the British colonialists that unearthed the rare artifacts that came to be known as the `Nok Terracota´.In 1928,during a mining expedition in Naraguta village of Jos Plateau State,the first discovery of Nok terracota was made.This was followed by another discovery in 1932 at Sokoto,and yet another in Katsina.The most famous discovery was yet again near Jos,in the village of NOK.During mining,an artifact was found by a farmer who took it home to use as a scarecrow,a purpose it served well for a year until it was reported to the administrator,Bernard Fagg.Together with his wife,Angela Fagg,they were able to recover about 150 pieces in perfect condition and present to the world.
Terracota simply means `fired clay´.The Nok terracota figurines were modelled after male and female,kings and dignitaries,animals and household appliances such as hair combs etc.The figurines were also famous for their elaborate hairstyles and plaiting,detailed and precise lines and forms.
It is dizzying to realise that 2500 years ago,the greatest civilisation held sway in Jos;and it is a shame that the Nigerian government and scholars have not done something to study and unravel the mystery and riches of the Nok.The international community on the other hand,is only interested in secretly stealing our artifacts to use abroad.
The day will come when we will have to look inward to find inspiration and help for our problems and needs as Africans;and on that day,we will rediscover our lost greatness:for as is said,NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF CREATION!
6 comments:
this is an interesting piece you put together here. i still have a vestige of my high school nok history and the pictures say a lot of our casual attitude to those things great about our history
i couldnt help but marvel @ the name of ur blog...lost soul ke? how can ur soul be lost?
Beats me,DUH!Anyway,what kind of name is `indecent one´?
hey nice spot u got here
all deep and stuff
always up to learn something new
"indecent one" defines the being behind the screen. but l"lost soul" is just so....uhmm....wow-ish
This is very interesting. I tend to agree that the Nigerian government might be more diligent in the protection of these artifacts, but Nigeria faces many more serious social and political tensions. And it may be too late for Nok. However, it is not too late for the government to protect the largest ancient monument in Africa. Read about it here: http://jandyongenesis.blogspot.com/2007/08/is-land-of-nod-region-of-nok.html
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