This conversation covered a number of dimensions in Nigerian craft, but all speakers returned to the way traditional craft skills are absorbed in a family setting. This is at odds with a more formal system that demands credentials. The challenge is to find a way of protecting that communal knowledge without loss of agency for the masters themselves. ### Agbo ile System of Traditional Craftsmanship ![[Pasted image 20260626121232.png]] [[Wale Ogunyale]] presented on the *agbo ile* system, a traditional Yoruba household-based craftsmanship approach where family members live and work together in clusters, with specific crafts typically assigned by gender. He explained the three categories of workers in this system: masters, freelancers, and apprentices, with apprentices often beginning training at a young age and learning through observation rather than formal certificates. Wale highlighted several advantages of this communal approach, including knowledge sharing, resource sharing, access to labour, specialization opportunities, and effective transmission of family crafts to younger generations. Wale explained that the terminology used in his presentation, including "master weaver" and "apprentice," has local alternatives in Yoruba such as "ogaishe" and "omoishe." ![[Pasted image 20260626121311.png]] *Two Master Pottery Makers in Nyifon* ### Kaduna Fashion and Arts Festival [[Ganiyat Sani]] presented the sixth edition of the Kaduna Fashion and Arts Exhibition Festival, focusing on clay pots as objects of resistance through a project titled "Clay Pots, Food, Body, and Memory." The festival will feature exhibitions, discussions on craftsmanship as resistance in African communities, and collaborative events with artists from Egypt, highlighting the cultural and historical significance of clay pots and traditional craftsmanship. ### Nigerian Craft Documentation Project [[Emmanuel Solate]] discussed the challenges facing Nigerian craft communities, highlighting how colonial practices and lack of proper documentation have led to misrepresentation of African art in Western museums. He explained how there is a significant gap between designers, academics, and the craft community in Nigeria, with traditional artisans not receiving proper recognition or compensation for their work. Emmanuel announced his project called "Invisible Masters" which aims to document and provide free access to Nigerian craft knowledge while ensuring traditional craft masters receive appropriate recognition and benefits. ### Nigerian Craft Communities Challenges The discussion focused on challenges facing Nigerian craft communities, with Ganiyat highlighting infrastructure decay and lack of funding support for traditional crafts. [[Monica Moisin]] proposed organizing a session from the Cultural Intellectual Property Rights Initiative to address these challenges through rights-based solutions and traditional knowledge protection. Ayobami shared insights about traditional weaving practices in Badagri, describing how weaving skills are passed down informally through generations rather than formal education, and explained ceremonial weaving traditions for welcoming brides into families. ### African Craft IP Challenges Discussion The discussion focused on intellectual property challenges in African craft communities, particularly regarding maker recognition and authentication. Emmanuel explained that Nigeria currently lacks a concrete IP structure, with most artisans earning less than $USD 100 annually and struggling to afford certificates of authenticity. Ayobami shared a different approach in Badagri where artisans understand they share authorship of installations that will be displayed in their community. Monica highlighted similar challenges in Romania and mentioned their work developing sui generis systems through organizations like HIPRI, including efforts to influence WIPO negotiations for better protection of traditional knowledge systems. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qmmyscz9ODc?si=mzeFgaRPceBEo9et" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>