CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
This research attempt to examine A History Indigenous Industries under colonial rule in Daura District, 1903 – 1960. Daura is blessed with resources like fertile land, river and other natural resources which provide opportunities for human habitation. Majority of the people in the area were farmers and the staple crops grown include millet, maize, guinea corn, rice, beans etc.They practiced subsistence farming using local inputs. Other economics activities practiced in the area included domestication of animal, fishing, indigenous industries i.e pottery, craft, cloth weaving, cloth dyeing and beating and engagement in small scale enterprise. Long before the advent of colonial administration, indigenous technology especially blacksmith, cloth weaving, pottery, hand craft, gasket making, butchering, thread making (Kadi) and textile industries were flourishing profession among the people of Daura. It was evident that metal work had advanced before the advent of colonial rule that revolutionalised trade and export of the economy of Daura particularly in the second half of the 19th century.However, these indigenous industries began to decline during the colonial period because of the policies of the colonial government in Daura District toward indigenous technology which was also applicable to the whole country.Moreover, Nigeria and Africa as a whole had suffered a devastating economic, political and social decline with the advent of colonialism.