Abstract
Indigenous arts, crafts, and culture are critical components of the world's diverse cultural heritage. Unfortunately, preserving this rich heritage remains challenging for most developing countries, especially with the increasing use of electronic media and the marginalisation of indigenous communities. This chapter discussed digital documentation strategies for Nigerian indigenous arts, crafts, and cultures to support future historical research engagements and tourism. It begins by examining indigenous arts, crafts, and cultures, such as stone carving, bronze and brass, weaving, pottery, etc. It tackled the importance and challenges of electronic documentation of these indigenous arts for historical research and tourism. Some case studies of successful electronic documentation of indigenous arts, crafts, and cultures in other societies were reviewed. Lessons were drawn from such previous efforts to shape future initiatives. It was concluded that documenting and preserving indigenous arts, crafts, and cultures is crucial for promoting and preserving cultural heritage.
TopIntroduction
Nigeria is home to a rich and diverse range of indigenous arts and crafts, reflecting the country's vibrant history and diverse ethnic groups. These art forms include traditional sculptures, textiles, pottery, basketry, beadwork, metalwork, and woodcarving, among others. Nigerian indigenous arts and crafts are often imbued with cultural and spiritual significance, telling the stories and histories of the people who create them. According to Osasona (2007), Nigeria's arts are also reflected in the indigenous design and architecture of its buildings across the northern, eastern, and southern parts of the country. Nigerian indigenous arts are significant to Nigeria's cultural heritage and are globally relevant. These art forms are an essential part of African cultural history and testify to the creativity and ingenuity of African artisans.
Nigerian crafts are intertwined with the country's spiritual philosophies and serve as valuable tools for promoting and preserving tourism. Nigeria's handicrafts encompass a variety of categories, including fabrics, ceramics, bronze, brass and iron works, fibres, handicrafts, ivory, jewellery, leatherwork, tie and dye, woodwork, pumpkin decorations, and more (Akintonde, 2013). Many of Nigeria's artistic works are displayed in museums worldwide. The utilisation of arts and crafts can catalyse sustainable development and industrial growth in an economy, as many people are not cognizant of the value, potential, and importance of Crafts in their daily lives (Irivwieri, 2009).
Despite the importance of Nigerian indigenous Arts and Crafts, there is a significant gap in the documentation and preservation of these art forms. Many of these art forms are at risk of being lost due to urbanisation, globalisation, and neglect (Kashim et al., 2013). Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective documentation strategies to preserve and promote Nigerian indigenous Arts and Crafts for future generations. The traditional practices of Nigeria are a valuable art historical resource that, if not studied in the present, may become inaccessible in the future due to the constantly changing nature of these practices. For Indigenous Knowledge (IK) to significantly promote sustainable development in African communities, it needs to be recorded, formalised, made available, exchanged, and spread widely (Tapfuma & Hoskin 2016). This is evidenced by many sculptures being lost, removed, or replaced while new ones are regularly created (Akintonde, 2013). The documentation and preservation of Nigerian indigenous arts are crucial in ensuring the continuity of these art forms and their cultural significance. The documentation of Nigerian indigenous arts and crafts allows for creation of an archive that can be used for future research and education. Researchers can study these arts to understand the historical, cultural, and artistic significance of these art forms. Preserving these arts ensures the longevity of the art forms and promotes cultural tourism, which can boost the economy of Nigeria and the African continent (Ezenagu, 2020). The exportation of Nigerian indigenous arts has the potential to foster cultural exchange and understanding between Nigeria and other countries.
Based on the available literature, the responsibility for preserving IK in Nigeria has been primarily handed over to the National Museum. Areo and Kalilu (2013) note that several Nigerian museums nationwide have established skill acquisition centres for tie and dye (Adire) production. This initiative, led by the national museums, has not only contributed to the growth of the textile industry but has also empowered numerous women and youth by providing them with employment opportunities. However, scholars have advocated for a shift in the preservation of IK by the realities of the 21st century, emphasising the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) (Demssie et al., 2020). The rationale behind this perspective is that ICTs facilitate easy information retrieval, ensuring enhanced accessibility to stored knowledge. Nevertheless, the literature suggests an evidence gap since there seem to be three schools of thought conceiving how IK should be preserved.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Indigenous Knowledge: Knowledge and practices unique to a particular culture or community often passed down through generations, reflecting a deep understanding of the natural environment and its resources.
Open Access: The practice of making digital resources freely available to the public, often through online platforms, without restrictions on use or reuse.
Metadata Management Software: Software designed to facilitate the creation, management, and retrieval of metadata for digital objects.
Cultural Heritage: The tangible and intangible products of a community’s cultural and artistic traditions inherited from previous generations and transmitted to future generations.
Digital Preservation: The process of ensuring that digital content is stored, maintained, and usable over time, often involving measures to prevent data loss or degradation.