Empowering Youth through Preservation, Technology and Promotion of Traditional Woodcarving in Oke Ogun Area, Oyo State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/jpcr.3879Keywords:
Cultural Heritage Preservation, Indigenous Knowledge System, Traditional Woodcarving, Youth Empowerment, TechnologyAbstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the empowering youth through preservation, promotion, technology and promotion of traditional woodcarving in Oke Ogun area, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Methodology: The methodology employed for the study is qualitative (art historical approach). Primary and secondary sources made up the data. Primary data were gathered through in-depth interviews with purposively selected ten practicing woodcarvers in the selected towns of three local government areas in Oke Ogun, Oyo State., Nigeria. Participant and critical observation where necessary, among the purposively selected woodcarvers were adopted. Photographs of woodcarving objects available at the time of visit were taken. Carvers at work also were captured in photographs. Scholarly references on the related study such as books, magazines and internet were consulted for secondary source of information for the study.
Findings: The study revealed that traditional woodcarving is capable of providing sustainable economic livelihood for youth if technology is fully integrated into the apprenticeship training system . There is heavy influence of modernization on the woodcarving practice in in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State. Also most of the youths are not aware of the potential benefits embedded in traditional woodcarving practice. Most carver lack documentation of their past works, once sold out that’s all. Involvement of youth in traditional woodcarving practice in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State promotes cultural heritage and identity. Also the participation of youth enhances skill development, innovation, self-confidence which leads to self-reliance. It was also observed that woodcarvers are facing challenges such as limited market access, inability to blend, improve or fully integrated technology for massive production.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study contributes to existing scholarship on cultural heritage preservation, indigenous knowledge system of apprenticeship and youth empowerment by developing a framework that integrates traditional woodcarving practices with contemporary innovation. It provides practical strategies for sustain woodcarving traditions and increasing youth participation through technology The study proposes evidence based recommendation for cultural preservation, youth empowerment, creative industry development heritage management in Oke Ogun
Downloads
References
Akande and Abiodun (2022). The neo-traditional woodcarvings of Ayanladun Ayandepo within the context of archetypal traditional Yoruba woodcarvings. South-South Journal of humanities and International Studies 5 (4), 1-21.
Aremu (2003) Olona carvers’ lineage of Iseyin : An historical development from oral tradition, Nigerian. Art Reflection: A Journal of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Oyo State Chapter 3, 13-16.
Adedeji, J. 2018. Yoruba textiles: A study of weaving traditions. Journal of Textile and Apparel Technology Management, 10 (2), 1-15.
Adedeji, J. 2020. Yoruba textile dyeing: Techniques and symbolism. Journal of Textile and Apparel Technology Management, 12 (2), 1-18.
Adekunle, A. A. (2018). Sustainable livelihoods through woodcarving: A case study of Oke Ogun youth. Journal of Sustainable Development, 11(3), 12-25.
Adepegba, C. O. 1995. Nigeria Art; Its traditions and modern tendencies, Ibadan, Jodad Publishers.
Adesanya, A.A 1999. The Fakeye family and contemporary Yoruba woodcarving tradition, Unpublished Ph.D Thesis, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Adewale, S. 2012. The significance of pottery in Yoruba culture. Journal of Cultural Studies, 14(1), 39- 45.
Akande, A.O. 2015. Yoruba traditional religious woodcarvings in Oyo, Sabe and Ife, An unpublished Ph.D Thesis, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Ayodele O.( 2005). Synthesis and impact of traditional and modern artistic idiom on Nigeria utilitarian arts. African Notes, Journal of Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan. 41-61.
Ayodele, O.B., & Babalola, S.A.( 2019 ) The post-colonial dilemma, impact and implications on African art culture: Functions ,shift in lineage woodcarving art in Iseyin, Nigeria International Journal of Current Research in the Humanities ISSN: 0855-9740 No 23. 1 (15), 48-63.
Babalola, S. A., & Adelowo, G. E. 2010. Art historical research and development in Nigeria: A case study of woodcarving tradition in Nigeria. Symphony, Journal of Arts and Aesthetics, 5, 68-73.
Babalola, S., & Ayodele, O. (2022) Yoruba traditional woodcarving in Iseyin in the 21st century: Evolving Practice, Iconography and functions. NAR 9. 57- 69.
Babalola, S. A. 2024. Art styles of woodcarving lineages in Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria , An unpublished M.Phil. Thesis, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Beier, U. 1960. Art in Nigeria 1960. London: The syndics of Cambridge University Press.
Carroll, K. 1967. Yoruba religious carvings: Pagan and Christina Sculpture in Nigeria and Dahomey. London: Geofferry Chapman Ltd.
Drewal, H. J., Pemberton III, J and Abiodun 1989. The Yoruba world. In A. Wardwell (ed) Yoruba; Nine centuries of African art and African art and thought (pp.13-46). New York: Centre for African Art in association with Harry N. Abram line Publishers.
Drewal, H. J. 1989. The artist of the Western Kingdoms. In A Wardwell (ed) Yoruba; Nine centuries of African art and thought (pp. 213-232). New York, Centre for African Art in association with Harry N. Abram line Publishers.
Fato, B.F, Omolayo, A.M & Fakoya, E.O (2017) Road condition and accessibility of agricultural produce to markets: The case of farmers in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State. International journal of Rural Extension and Development NJRED 11, 31-36.
Houlberg, M.H.1973. Ibeji images of the Yoruba, African arts, 6 (4) 20-27. http://wwwjstor.org/stable 3334745 July 2013, 7.1 http://wwwgstor.org/stable 2935023 may 2013
International Labour Organization. (2023). Global employment trends for youth 2023. International Labour Organization.
Kalilu, R. O. R. 1992. Old Oyo in West African Art, Unpublished Ph.D Thesis, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
Li, J. (2022). Grounded theory-based model of the influence of digital communication on handicraft intangible cultural heritage. Heritage Science, 10(1), 1–15.
Ogunbameru, O. 2017. Blacksmithing inYorubaland. In Yoruba culture and civilization (ed. T. Falola),Texas A &M University Press, College Station,TX, 345-360.
Ogunduyile, S. R. (2014). Indigenous technology and traditional crafts in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. Journal of Arts and Humanities, 3(8), 45–57.
Ogungbameru, O. 2019. Textile dyeing in Yorubaland. In Yoruba crafts and craftsmen (ed. In
T. Falola), Cambria Press, Youngstown, NY. 2003-2018.
Ojekunle, A.O. (2005).Yoruba woodcarving traditional education: A case study of Iwajowa Local Government area of Oyo State, B.A project, Fine and Applied Art Department, Faculty of Education, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
Ojo, O. O. (2020). Preserving cultural heritage: The role of woodcarving in Oke Ogun. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 26(1), 34-47
Olusola, A. O. (2019). Youth empowerment through traditional crafts: A study of woodcarving in Oke Ogun. Journal of Cultural Studies, 11(2), 123-135.
Owolabi, J.A.(2017). Geo-Historical backgrounds and religious tradition of Oke- Ogun people. Journal of Arts and Contemporary Society. 9(1), 1-29.
Oyedele, O. A. (2017). The impact of globalization on traditional woodcarving in Oke Ogun. Globalization and Culture, 4(1), 56-71.
Oyo State Ministry of Information (2012) Cultural Heritage and Tourism in Oyo State: Zonal Documentation, Ibadan, Government Press.
Tom, P. (1966). African: The art of a continent. London: Royal Academy of Art.
Phoebe, A. (2004).Yoruba art and culture , Hearst Museum of Anthropology, University of
California. p.7.
Richards, G. (2018). Cultural tourism: A review of recent research and trends. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 36, 12–21.
Rowland Abiodun (2014). Yoruba Art and Language: Seeking the African in African Art. Cambridge University Press.Cambridge University Press & Assessment +1
Salawudeen, A. O. (2025).Rich Heritage of the Onko People of Oke Ogun: Language, Culture, & Festivals. RexClarke Adventures.com
UNESCO. (2022). Culture and sustainable development: Global report on culture for sustainable development. UNESCO Publishing.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Babalola Samson Adekunle, Oke Samuel Oyetunde
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
