Have you ever looked closely at a ₦20 note? On the back, you’ll see a woman sitting by beautiful clay pots.
That’s Ladi Kwali, one of Nigeria’s most famous artists! She’s the only woman on our money, and there’s a very good reason why.
Ladi Kwali wasn’t just any potter. She was born around 1925 in a small village called Kwali in northern Nigeria. Back then, making pots from clay was something women did every day. They needed pots to store water, cook food, and carry things to market. But Ladi’s pots were special, they were so beautiful that even kings wanted them in their palaces!
What made her story amazing was how she took something her grandmother taught her and showed it to the whole world.
She proved that Nigerian art was just as good as art from anywhere else. Her hands could clay into wonderful forms, and she decorated them with patterns of animals like lizards and fish.
Today, more than 40 years after she died, people still talk about Ladi Kwali. But why does her potteshapery still matter to us now? Let’s find out!
Table of Contents
She Showed the World Our Culture
Long ago, some people thought African art wasn’t “real” art. They were very wrong! Ladi Kwali proved this by showing her pottery skills all over Europe and America. She travelled to England and the United States, demonstrating how she made pots without using a wheel – just her hands and simple tools.
When people saw her work, they were amazed. Her pots were strong, beautiful, and decorated with traditional Gbagyi patterns that told stories about her people. She helped the world understand that Nigerian culture was rich and valuable.
In the 1950s, a British man named Michael Cardew started a pottery school in Abuja. At first, only men could join. But when he saw Ladi’s incredible pots, he invited her to become the first woman at the school. This was a big deal, because it showed that women could be master craftspeople too.
Ladi learned new techniques like using pottery wheels and special ovens called kilns. But she didn’t forget her traditional methods. Instead, she mixed old and new ways to create something completely unique.
Her Legacy Lives On
Today, many Nigerian potters still use techniques that Ladi Kwali helped preserve. Pottery centres in places like Suleja and Bwari continue teaching young people how to work with clay. Schools across Nigeria study her life to show children that they can be proud of their heritage.
Museums around the world, including famous ones in London, display her pots. This means people everywhere can see the beauty of Nigerian craftsmanship.
Try This at Home: Mini Clay Pots
You can explore pottery too! Here’s a simple way to start:
What you need: Air-dry clay, water, and a small stick or pencil
Steps:
- Roll clay into a ball
- Push your thumb into the centre
- Slowly pinch the walls to make them thinner
- Smooth the surface with wet fingers
- Use the stick to draw simple patterns like Ladi did
- Let it dry for 24 hours
Remember, Ladi Kwali started just like this, practising with clay until she became a master.
Final Thoughts
Ladi Kwali’s story teaches us that our traditions are treasures worth keeping. She showed that with skill, hard work, and pride in our culture, we can create something truly special that the whole world will admire.
Read Also: Children’s Special: The Cultural Significance Of Egungun Festival
