Documentary projects

Raffia City

Ikot Ekpene, also called “Raffia City” sits as one of the prominent regions of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It is known for its mastery in raffia and craft making.

The locals have tapped into raffia making to significantly boost their economy. Raffia is sourced from the fronds of the palm wine tree also known as raffia tree. Raffia is called “Ndam” In Ibibio language.

Once received, the raffia fibre is obtained from the membrane of the backs of each palm frond through a special method.

After the extraction, the fibre is rolled into straws. The straws can be left at their natural state or be soaked in natural colouring. An example is “Onio” also called “Yellow” colouring which is extracted from heating a local herbal root in water.

A major limitation of this work is that the people of raffia city guard this craft of raffia making with their lives , hence the unwillingness to allow the visual representation of the dying, looming and matting process.

The coloured raffia straws are then dried on the backs of heated clay pots. From this stage the raffia straws are ready for use. The producers decide if they want to stitch a mat out of the coloured straws on a wooden loom or hand-weave them to create wristbands, belts or earrings.

Craft makers purchase the finished mats to create shoes, bags, earrings, table mats, fans and other home and industrial decoration materials

The raffia of Ikot Ekpene is uniquely detailed and artistic in its very nature.

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EpeTown: Livelihoods by the Lagos Lagoon https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/OgISKPiw5mENIg

• Adire: TheArt of Tie and Dye https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/NQJysVP8AxQtIw

• Nigerian Bracelets and Bangles https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/yQICrlCqTk52Iw

• Twist and Turn: Mastering the skill of making Ponmo https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/9AISoXiVj5i4IQ

• FiveMeaty Treatsin Nigeria https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/five-meaty-treats-innigeria/vgJCYCE_Wsi8Kw

• Roastedstreetfooddelights: fivetasty meals https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/roasted-street-food-delights-fivetasty-meals/FwJSrRc__uMqIA

• Of SkinsandSnacks: ThePeppered PonmoDelicacy https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/of-skins-and-snacks-the-pepperedponmo-delicacy/hAJy6boFI1gTKQ

• Poundedyam: a meal of a traditionalpastime https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/pounded-yam-a-meal-of-atraditional-pastime/DgLyHSmtKRfzLQ

• Themagicof making OgogorofromPalmWine https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/the-magic-of-making-ogogorofrom-palm-wine/4wKSE5EMQ7sTKw

• Zobo: TheToastof theNorth https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/zobo-the-toast-of-thenorth/jwLy5SqM6ABELg