KAFART 2023: Celebrating creative craftsmanship in northern Nigeria

The just concluded fifth edition of the Kaduna Art and Craft Festival has left an imprint in the lives of creative minds and the likes, who had the opportunity to witness the different creative displays by participants. Visitors to the festival viewed exhibitions by artists in northern Nigeria and beyond, live performances by contemporary groups, […]

The just concluded fifth edition of the Kaduna Art and Craft Festival has left an imprint in the lives of creative minds and the likes, who had the opportunity to witness the different creative displays by participants.

Visitors to the festival viewed exhibitions by artists in northern Nigeria and beyond, live performances by contemporary groups, fashion presentations, runway presentations by fashion designers across northern Nigeria and beyond, who came to showcase the rich culture of the region.

There were also displays by diverse fashion designers across northern Nigeria and the Sahel, a virtual reality experience of the Nok Terracotta, in collaboration with the National Museum, Kaduna and also a display of research work from research volunteers, including photographers, videographers and writers across Nigeria and West Africa.

The three-day festival featured a panel discussion on the topic, Preserving Our Heritage: Integrating Tradition and Craft for Sustainable Development. Fashion designers, including Praise Dodo, Maryam Bawa, Safiya Idakwo, as well as artists like Sani Abdulrahman, Imran Tilde, Rahma Azeez and Seun Adeniyi graced the occasion.

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Other attractions at the festival were the film screening of the Kofar Mata dyeing pit documentary by Niyi Olagunju and the documentation of life on River Kaduna by Iklima Babangida.

According to Ganiyat Sanni, the founder and creative director, KAFART, the festival showcased and celebrated the creative processes and craftsmanship that define northern Nigeria’s fashion and art industry.

She said, “These processes are sacred and exclusive to each artist or artisan, resulting in a unique output that distinguishes their work from others. The exhibition’s theme, “Into the art of making,” explores the concept of creation and making of fashion and art works, celebrating the output and techniques employed, as well as the cultural, environmental and societal elements that contribute to the final product.

“Craftsmanship in West Africa has taken various forms over centuries and continues to evolve with modern technology. Despite changes, these practices still hold historical and cultural significance, acting as conduits of knowledge about the past.

“Textiles, sculptures, embroidery and tie and dye are some examples of these practices that showcase who we are as a people, and the exhibition will emphasize their relevance and value.

“It is crucial to preserve these practices for future generations, particularly in a world where much historical knowledge is disappearing. Encouraging younger generations to adopt these practices will help to prevent their loss and ensure cultural, historical, and environmental significance continues to serve as a source for grounding our values and heritage.

“We are going to have an augmented virtual reality experience in collaboration with Greysoft Technology to bring the Nok Terracotta artifact closer to the younger audience so that they can understand the history because I understand that a lot of them do not go to the museum.”

Adding his voice, the IT and Communications Officer, KAFART, Alamin Yushau, noted that the collaboration with the technology firm for augmented and VR experience in order to display the Nok Terracotta artifacts digitally and allow guests to experience the Kaduna museum through VR Technology was a way to bring the museum closer to visitors.

He said, “The art exhibition created by NYH Concepts with the financial contribution of the European Union, the support of the OACPS Secretariat – Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and Programme AWA has been able showcase the vibrant fashion and art industry in northern Nigeria and the wider region.

“At KAFART 2023, youths had the opportunity to witness and participate in local craft work by skilled and experienced artisans. The exhibition also highlighted cultural, environmental and societal issues as represented by the art forms.

“KAFART secured support from Sterling Bank and the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Abuja, and with the participation of diverse vendors, visitors had access to a wide range of products made by locals in the community, providing an opportunity for the local entrepreneurs to expand their reach.”

On her part, the Kaduna State deputy governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, expressed the commitment of the Governor Uba Sani administration to promoting the economic values of creative arts and culture, as well as encouraging the teeming youths in the state to engage in profitable business ventures using their talents.

The deputy governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna State on Human Capital Development, Sagir Balarabe Musa, further commended the organisers of KAFART for their dedication to arts and fashion.

She, however, cautioned against copying foreign fashions that go against cultural norms and traditions of the country.