CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY.

Indigenous arts in Nigeria are as old as time immemorial and contemporary as yesterday. They are as old because they have got their history back in antiquity and contemporary because they are still with us today. Often, when technology is being talked about, the attention of many people first goes to the advanced technologies in countries like Europe and America without paying attention to the simple arts and crafts which emanated from Africa. This research essay aims at pointing out that modern science and technology in Europe today derived their origin from simple arts and crafts. There are abundant of arts and crafts upon which, the traditional skills are based, but I shall focus on oil-palm production with a view to stressing the fact that had long been in existence in Africa as it was the case in developed countries like Britain and America. It is aimed at bringing into limelight the technology involved in the oil-palm production since the earliest times.

Oil-production had for a long time been an important phenomenon in Nigeria localities. It developed with the people. Oil-palm takes great part and parcel of the cooking of food, making of bath soaps, e.t.c. Its importance, therefore cannot be over-emphasized. The research aims at showing the active participation of indigenous people through the harnessing and utilization of local materials and national resources. The essay will show that all the materials tools, skills, and techniques used are locally available.

Furthermore, the study will show the various ways and systems by which the oil-palm is being produced which vary from one locality to another based on geographical environment and beliefs.

The study will further show that the oil-palm production has also been useful in cooking of meals and making of bath soaps. It presents the various sites of the community and also shows that Africans also engage in indigenous occupation such as oil-palm production.

• SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this research is from the period 20th century to 21st century. The different methods used in the industry i.e, oil-palm industry in Ejigbo community, Osun state. In this work also, attempt will be made at century prior to the 21st century.

The researcher aims at showing the active participation of indigenous people through the harnessing and utilization of local materials and natural resources, and the different processing or processes used in the production of the oil-palm. Also, the production of the palm kernel in general which is being used for further production of other useful products.

Through the oil-palm industry, quite a lot of needs of people were met in terms of local lamps which were used for illuminating in darkness. Oil-palm is being put on the local lamp which is made of clay with cotton on it. Oil-palm is used as medicine for treating ulcer and stomach-ache  and cough for adults and children.  It shall be seen at the end that indigenous industries have their rightful place in our local communities, abroad and areas where misconceptions are still rampant that Africans are technologically  backward.  The study will further show that oil-palm has also been useful by carpenters and wood workers to prevent decaying.

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