Niger afr adm: Created page with "'''Urhobo Basketry''' is a traditional craft of the Urhobo people of Delta State, Nigeria. The craft produces a variety of woven containers used for farming, fishing, trade, and household storage, reflecting the Urhobo’s riverine and agricultural way of life in the western Niger Delta. == Historical Background == Basketry has long been part of Urhobo material culture, developing alongside farming, palm produce processing, and fishing. Baskets were essential for transp..."

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Created page with "'''Urhobo Basketry''' is a traditional craft of the Urhobo people of Delta State, Nigeria. The craft produces a variety of woven containers used for farming, fishing, trade, and household storage, reflecting the Urhobo’s riverine and agricultural way of life in the western Niger Delta. == Historical Background == Basketry has long been part of Urhobo material culture, developing alongside farming, palm produce processing, and fishing. Baskets were essential for transp..."

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'''Urhobo Basketry''' is a traditional craft of the Urhobo people of Delta State, Nigeria. The craft produces a variety of woven containers used for farming, fishing, trade, and household storage, reflecting the Urhobo’s riverine and agricultural way of life in the western Niger Delta.

== Historical Background ==
Basketry has long been part of Urhobo material culture, developing alongside farming, palm produce processing, and fishing. Baskets were essential for transporting cassava, palm fruits, and fish to local markets and for storing food in humid delta environments.

Historically, Urhobo basket makers supplied rural markets and riverine trade routes, contributing to local economies throughout Delta State.

== Materials and Construction ==
Urhobo baskets are made from locally available plant materials, including:

* Raffia palm fibers
* Cane and rattan
* Palm fronds
* Bamboo (occasionally)

Materials are split, dried, and woven into sturdy forms. Basket designs often emphasize ventilation to prevent spoilage of stored crops in humid conditions.

Some baskets are reinforced with thicker cane frames for carrying heavy loads.

== Functions and Uses ==
Traditional uses include:

* Transporting cassava, yams, and palm produce
* Carrying fish and fishing equipment
* Storage of dried foods and household goods
* Market trade and produce display

Specialized baskets are used for processing cassava, allowing water to drain during fermentation.

== Cultural Significance ==
Urhobo basketry reflects the community’s adaptation to a delta environment and its reliance on farming and fishing. The craft is typically learned within families and contributes to household self-sufficiency and local trade.

Although primarily utilitarian, basketry forms part of the broader Urhobo craft tradition and everyday material culture.

== See also ==
* [[Urhobo people]]
* [[Niger Delta crafts]]
* [[African basketry]]

== References ==
* Otite, Onigu. ''The Urhobo People''. Heinemann Educational Books, 1973.
* Erivwo, Samuel U. ''The Urhobo People and Their Culture''. University of Ibadan Press, 1991.
* National Commission for Museums and Monuments (Nigeria). ''Traditional Crafts of the Niger Delta''. Lagos.

[[Category:Basketry]]
[[Category:Nigerian crafts]]
[[Category:Delta State]]
[[Category:Urhobo culture]]

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