INDIGENOUS CRAFTSMANSHIP AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NGWALAND: A HISTORICAL APPRAISAL OF CULTURAL PRESERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

Abstract

This study examined the historical and socio-economic significance of indigenous craftsmanship in Ngwaland, with the main objectives of tracing its historical evolution, identifying its socio-economic contributions, and assessing its role in cultural preservation and sustainable development. The research adopted a qualitative analytical method, which involved content analysis of relevant documentary sources on the subject. The approach was also thematic. Findings revealed that craftsmanship historically functioned both as an economic enterprise and as a form of cultural expression, fostering trade, inter-community relations, and social cohesion. It economically empowered men and women, promoted self-reliance, and enhanced communal development. However, challenges such as declining interest among youths, the influx of imported goods, and scarcity of raw materials threaten its survival. The study concludes that indigenous craftsmanship remains a vital instrument for cultural preservation and sustainable development, and recommends renewed policy support, skill acquisition programmes, and institutional recognition to revitalise traditional industries in Ngwaland and beyond.