Esie Soapstone
Soapstone head 12th-15th century. This is a soapstone head collected by a German ethnographer and explorer, leo Frobenius in 1912 in the town of offa near Esie.
Soapstone female figure 12th -15th century. This is one of the largest of the stone carvings. The cutlass that she once held in her right hand and which rested against her shoulder is missing. The strong vertical line on her back and head and the ease with which she sits on her stool with her feet stuck back in its base form the pose of one with authority.
Seated figure 12th – 15th century. An Esie female stone figure, holding a cutlass, that rest on her right shoulder. The elaborate hairstyle consisting of a cluster of triangular or conical tuft is typical of female sculptures. The horizontal rows of three delicately incised marks on the head are found on male and female Esie sculptures.
Seated male 12th -15th century. An Esie male seated figure showed reaching for his quiver. Below the conical hat, the hair styled in the fashion of a woman. The three horizontal marks appear on the temple stone.
Seated male figure 12th -15th century. An Esie seated male figure holding a dagger in his lab. He appears too been wearing an elaborate headdress consisting of shapes resembling four snail shells affixed to a striated conical cap.
Seated female figure 12th – 15th century. An Esie female figure holding a cutlass. The cutlass rests against her right shoulder as a symbol of her office. The delicate scarification marks on her forehead and the heavier marks incised on her chin. The height of her elaborate coiffure is equal to that of her face, emphasizing the importance of the head, typical of so many Esie and later Yoruba figure sculptures.
Seated female figure 12th – 15th century. This is back view of a seated female figure. Four vertical rows of body scarification along the spine which then splay out in a pattern above the waistband of her skirt, t5he vstool consisting of two circular disks connected by a cylinder is typical of most Esie carvings.
Seated male figure 12th – 15th century. The sculpture although a fragment is remarkable among Esie carvings for the rendering of the head, elongation of the jaw line, and the thrust of the chin which is enhanced by the projection of the beard.
Seated male figure 12th – 15 th century. This is one of the largest of the Esie stone carvings, the sculpture of a seated male figure contrasts with other Esie sculptures. It conveys a sense of physical strength and there is an absence of bodily adornment apart from the necklace of the beads and the bow laying the skirt.
Seated male figure. This is one of the largest of the Esie stone carvings
Soapstone figure. This is one of the 800 stone figures found in a bush shrine in northern Yoruba land, where they are still objects of cult. Although its not yet known whether they are of Yoruba origin or whether they were made by Nupe before their conversion to Islam, though there is some internal evidence of Yoruba connections.
Soapstone figure. This is one of the most impressive Esie work of art. It is among the 800 others found in a bush shrine in northern Yoruba land
Soapston figure. This is probably from a figure of a life size. A larger proportion of the heads are broken from their bodies, but this piece does not confirm to the Esie style. It has more affinity with soapstone carvings of the past century or two at Ife about 40 miles to the south on the forehead a dagger is carved in redlief..
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Igbo-ukwu
Bronze roped pot on a stand. This is a leaded bronze pot from Igbo Isaiah, Igbo-ukwu. It was dated to about 9th/10th century.
Bronze vessel in the form of a shell surmounted by an animal dated 9th/10 century.
Bronze pendant representing a ram’s head dated 9th/10th century.
Bronze ornate staff head dated 9th /10th century.
Bronze cylindrical staff dated 9th/10th century.
Copper spiral snake ornament dated 9th /10th century.
Bronze scabbard dated 9th/10 century.
Bronze bowl from Igbo Isaiah in Igbo-ukwu dated 9th.10 century.
Bronze vessel in the form of a shell surmounted by an animal dated 9th/10 century.
Bronze pendant representing a ram’s head dated 9th/10th century.
Bronze ornate staff head dated 9th /10th century.
Bronze cylindrical staff dated 9th/10th century.
Copper spiral snake ornament dated 9th /10th century.
Bronze scabbard dated 9th/10 century.
Bronze bowl from Igbo Isaiah in Igbo-ukwu dated 9th.10 century.
Benin Art Corpus
Bronze head: - this was dated to about b1500AD or a little earlier. The sensitive naturalism of Ife bronze where Benin bronze was thought to have been derived, though some features notably the ears are more styled than Ife bronze. The miniature head which is a unique piece was dated to about half a century or more later.
Bronze heads. This was dated from the end of the early period about the mid sixteenth century. It has rectangular strings of iron inlay, a mark of early period are also present.
Bronze Queen Mother Head. This is a title conferred on his mother by the Oba three years after his accession since the time of Esigie in the early sixteenth century.
Bronze head {Uhumwelao}. This particular bronze head is usually placed at the Royal altar {Aru-erha}. It is an early example of the middle period or classical style. It was dated to about 1550-1650. The head is intended to carry a great weight such as the carved tusks which is mounted on the head.
Bronze head. This was dated from early in the late period probably about 1700 or a little later.
Bronze head of the massive type, with extreme exaggeration of proportion band with flamboyant ornamentation introduced by Oba Osemwede{1816-1848}. It is the most impressive of all the version of the late style, suggesting a fine artistic work.
Fragmented bronze. {Aegis}. This was dated from the transition between the early and middle period and representing the Oba in his divine aspect with mudfish for legs or more specifically the fourteenth century Oba Ohen who after his legs were paralyzed claimed to have become the sea god {Olokun}. The Oba’s arms are supported by two attendant chief.
Bronze head. {Oduduwa mask}. This is used during the new yam festival in the Oba palace. It is still observed annually in the Oba’s palace with the twentieth century bronze mask in place of those removed by the British expedition. There are six known of this highly expressionist style. It was dated to about 1800.
Bronze head {Osun cult head} of the middle period {probably 20th century} surmounted by four ibis and other symbolic character with snake issuing from the nostrils and lachrymatory glands and devouring frog. It belongs to unidentified spirit of the palace. Osun the medicine spirit which personified the life force
Bronze plaque. Pair of bronze plaque of a single figure of a bini warrior. There are about 20 of this style of pair bronze plaques and they appear to be by a single hand. They were the first plaques to be made probably in the late sixteenth century.
Bronze plaque. This is a representation of Oba in a seated position on a cylindrical stool with two chief supporting his arms, one of whom is by custom his son and heir, the Edaiken. There are also Portuguese heads as symbols of his status and power. It belongs to late 16th /early 17th century.
Bronze plaque. There are seven of these known plaques which appear to be by a single artist. It is a fragmentary of a scene of a bini shooting at an ibis on a tree and leopard hunt by the Portuguese hunters.
Bronze altar. A bronze altar representing an Oba attended by two foreign slaves, male and female and behind by shield bearers. It is one of the masterpieces of the late period {about 1750-1800}.
Bronze figure. Two bronze figure of achondroplasic dwarfs, such as used to be kept as tumblers and jesters by the Obas of Benin. They are of the finest of all the Benin Bronze figures and as well as naturalistic in style.
Bronze figure. This is one the Oba’s horn blowers, a fine work of classical or middle period. The skirt is prolong in a hornlike process, stiffened with canes and rising from left hip and secure by shoulder
Bronze stool. This is one of the two solid bronze stools or thrones {Erhe} said to have been made by Oba Tresonyen in the mid eighteenth century. Their iconography is in some way untypical of Benin work. It has one motifs of a grinning human simian face while the central portion incorporates a coiled python as a royal power symbol.
Bronze pendant. A small aegis shaped bronze pendant worn at the waist. It is a presentation of one Portuguese threatening or attacking another over a leopard head. It is of the middle period.
Bronze. A bronze hip mask of transition between early and middle periods. It has a human face metamorphosed in its lower portion into an elephant’s tusk and trunk, and expressionally indicated by its turning into a hand grasping a branch.
Bronze figure. A bronze figure of a warrior armed with a sword and the Bini bow. It is a version of the middle period style.
Bronze figure. Bronze horseman of the middle period. The hat is like those worn by bodyguard of the Fulani Emirs of the northern Nigeria. These figures are commonly said to represent visitors from the north.
Bronze plaque. A bronze plaque representing a warrior seated on a horse holding a spear. The plaque is full of movement indicating a leopard hunter or a warrior in battle.
Ivory Armlets. Pair of ivory armlets, each consisting of two interlocking cylinders carved from a single block of ivory. It has the figure Oba’s carved on the outer cylinder alternate with symbolic double elephant’s skulls protruding from the inner cylinder. They are among the finest ivory of Benin armlet. It belongs to sixteenth century.
Bronze figure. A bronze figure of a man who worn a cross, which may or may not be a Christian cross. The missing right hand would have held an l-shaped iron hammer of a type sacred to Ogun, the god of iron and warfare. The figure may be a Christian convert of the sixteenth century. The Benin traditions say that such figures are emissaries either from the Oni of Ife or attah of Idah.
Bronze Python. Colossal bronze python head from the palace gate ways where it is mounted more than a dozen of these types are known. This one is probably from the middle period.
Bronze heads. This was dated from the end of the early period about the mid sixteenth century. It has rectangular strings of iron inlay, a mark of early period are also present.
Bronze Queen Mother Head. This is a title conferred on his mother by the Oba three years after his accession since the time of Esigie in the early sixteenth century.
Bronze head {Uhumwelao}. This particular bronze head is usually placed at the Royal altar {Aru-erha}. It is an early example of the middle period or classical style. It was dated to about 1550-1650. The head is intended to carry a great weight such as the carved tusks which is mounted on the head.
Bronze head. This was dated from early in the late period probably about 1700 or a little later.
Bronze head of the massive type, with extreme exaggeration of proportion band with flamboyant ornamentation introduced by Oba Osemwede{1816-1848}. It is the most impressive of all the version of the late style, suggesting a fine artistic work.
Fragmented bronze. {Aegis}. This was dated from the transition between the early and middle period and representing the Oba in his divine aspect with mudfish for legs or more specifically the fourteenth century Oba Ohen who after his legs were paralyzed claimed to have become the sea god {Olokun}. The Oba’s arms are supported by two attendant chief.
Bronze head. {Oduduwa mask}. This is used during the new yam festival in the Oba palace. It is still observed annually in the Oba’s palace with the twentieth century bronze mask in place of those removed by the British expedition. There are six known of this highly expressionist style. It was dated to about 1800.
Bronze head {Osun cult head} of the middle period {probably 20th century} surmounted by four ibis and other symbolic character with snake issuing from the nostrils and lachrymatory glands and devouring frog. It belongs to unidentified spirit of the palace. Osun the medicine spirit which personified the life force
Bronze plaque. Pair of bronze plaque of a single figure of a bini warrior. There are about 20 of this style of pair bronze plaques and they appear to be by a single hand. They were the first plaques to be made probably in the late sixteenth century.
Bronze plaque. This is a representation of Oba in a seated position on a cylindrical stool with two chief supporting his arms, one of whom is by custom his son and heir, the Edaiken. There are also Portuguese heads as symbols of his status and power. It belongs to late 16th /early 17th century.
Bronze plaque. There are seven of these known plaques which appear to be by a single artist. It is a fragmentary of a scene of a bini shooting at an ibis on a tree and leopard hunt by the Portuguese hunters.
Bronze altar. A bronze altar representing an Oba attended by two foreign slaves, male and female and behind by shield bearers. It is one of the masterpieces of the late period {about 1750-1800}.
Bronze figure. Two bronze figure of achondroplasic dwarfs, such as used to be kept as tumblers and jesters by the Obas of Benin. They are of the finest of all the Benin Bronze figures and as well as naturalistic in style.
Bronze figure. This is one the Oba’s horn blowers, a fine work of classical or middle period. The skirt is prolong in a hornlike process, stiffened with canes and rising from left hip and secure by shoulder
Bronze stool. This is one of the two solid bronze stools or thrones {Erhe} said to have been made by Oba Tresonyen in the mid eighteenth century. Their iconography is in some way untypical of Benin work. It has one motifs of a grinning human simian face while the central portion incorporates a coiled python as a royal power symbol.
Bronze pendant. A small aegis shaped bronze pendant worn at the waist. It is a presentation of one Portuguese threatening or attacking another over a leopard head. It is of the middle period.
Bronze. A bronze hip mask of transition between early and middle periods. It has a human face metamorphosed in its lower portion into an elephant’s tusk and trunk, and expressionally indicated by its turning into a hand grasping a branch.
Bronze figure. A bronze figure of a warrior armed with a sword and the Bini bow. It is a version of the middle period style.
Bronze figure. Bronze horseman of the middle period. The hat is like those worn by bodyguard of the Fulani Emirs of the northern Nigeria. These figures are commonly said to represent visitors from the north.
Bronze plaque. A bronze plaque representing a warrior seated on a horse holding a spear. The plaque is full of movement indicating a leopard hunter or a warrior in battle.
Ivory Armlets. Pair of ivory armlets, each consisting of two interlocking cylinders carved from a single block of ivory. It has the figure Oba’s carved on the outer cylinder alternate with symbolic double elephant’s skulls protruding from the inner cylinder. They are among the finest ivory of Benin armlet. It belongs to sixteenth century.
Bronze figure. A bronze figure of a man who worn a cross, which may or may not be a Christian cross. The missing right hand would have held an l-shaped iron hammer of a type sacred to Ogun, the god of iron and warfare. The figure may be a Christian convert of the sixteenth century. The Benin traditions say that such figures are emissaries either from the Oni of Ife or attah of Idah.
Bronze Python. Colossal bronze python head from the palace gate ways where it is mounted more than a dozen of these types are known. This one is probably from the middle period.
schedule monuments and site each state of Nigeria
Abia State:-
1 Chief Okochi house.
2 Obu’s house
3 Omo Oku Temple, Ndi-Ezera Compound Azaga Ohafia.
4 Chief Ochu Kalu’s house Ndi-Okereke Abam near Bende
Adamawa State:-
1 World heritage site, Suku {Hidi Palace}
Bauchi State:-
1 Rock painting site at Dutsen damisa near Gumel
2 Rock painting Dutsen Zane near Gaji
3 Rock painting Shadawanke neae Bauchi
4 Rock painting Shira Azae local Government Area.
5 Carved stone Kwandon-kaya at panshanu
6 Gidan madaki Bauchi.
Borno State:-
1 Rebel’s house Dikwa.
Cross river State:-
1 Old Residency Calabar
2 Old Consulate Calabar.
3 Chief ekpo Bassey’s house Calabar
4 Carved monoliths Emaghabe
5 Carved monoliths Alok
Delta State:-
1 Nanna’s house koko
Edo state:-
1 Chief Ogiamen Benin city
2 Chief Enogie’s house oba sagbo village near Benin
3 Benin city walls and moats
Enugu State:-
1 chief Odo- uwankolo’s palace at ukahe
Jigawa State:-
1 Dutsen mesa-gong and shelter {rock paintings birnin kudu}
2 Rock paintings Dutsen habude at Birnin kudu
3 Rock paintings morofu Birnin kudu
4 Rock paintings Dutsen Zago
Kaduna state:-
1 Steel foot bridge, kufena hill kaduna
2 Habe Mosque at maigma
3 Zaria city wall
Kano state:-
1 Gidan Makama
2 kano city wall
3 Habe Mosque at Bebeji near kano.
Katsina state:-
1 Old teacher college katsina
2 Gorbiru minaret
3 Tumuli Durbi takushayi
Kogi State:-
1 Ata Ogu tumuli
Kwara state:-
1 Dayspring relics
2 Okuta fort
3 Yashikera fort
4 Otaro stone figure
5 Ijara stone figure
Lagos state:-
1 Iloja bar
2 Oba’s house
3 water house
4 Old secretarial
5 Elephant house
6 No 10 Eleya Street Lagos Brazilian building
Niger state:-
1 Tsoede’s tomb at Gwangade
2 Ikatanbu Palace of the Esu Mohamed at bida
3 Government house at Zongori
Ogun State
1 Sungbo Shrine {groove near Oke-Eri near Ijebu}
Ondo State:-
1 Igbaraoke petroglyha
2 The palace of Deji of Akure
Osun State:-
1 Itayemoo Ile-Ife
2 Osun Shrine Oshogbo
3 Ilajo Stone figure
4 Shrine at Ate Oja Oshogbo
Plateau State:-
1 Stone Built Causeway forof
2 Tading Causeway
3 Batura Causeway
4 Kwadon Kaya
5 First Mining Beacon
River State:-
1 King Jaja Statue Opobo
Sokoto State:-
1 the ancient ruins of Surami City
1 Chief Okochi house.
2 Obu’s house
3 Omo Oku Temple, Ndi-Ezera Compound Azaga Ohafia.
4 Chief Ochu Kalu’s house Ndi-Okereke Abam near Bende
Adamawa State:-
1 World heritage site, Suku {Hidi Palace}
Bauchi State:-
1 Rock painting site at Dutsen damisa near Gumel
2 Rock painting Dutsen Zane near Gaji
3 Rock painting Shadawanke neae Bauchi
4 Rock painting Shira Azae local Government Area.
5 Carved stone Kwandon-kaya at panshanu
6 Gidan madaki Bauchi.
Borno State:-
1 Rebel’s house Dikwa.
Cross river State:-
1 Old Residency Calabar
2 Old Consulate Calabar.
3 Chief ekpo Bassey’s house Calabar
4 Carved monoliths Emaghabe
5 Carved monoliths Alok
Delta State:-
1 Nanna’s house koko
Edo state:-
1 Chief Ogiamen Benin city
2 Chief Enogie’s house oba sagbo village near Benin
3 Benin city walls and moats
Enugu State:-
1 chief Odo- uwankolo’s palace at ukahe
Jigawa State:-
1 Dutsen mesa-gong and shelter {rock paintings birnin kudu}
2 Rock paintings Dutsen habude at Birnin kudu
3 Rock paintings morofu Birnin kudu
4 Rock paintings Dutsen Zago
Kaduna state:-
1 Steel foot bridge, kufena hill kaduna
2 Habe Mosque at maigma
3 Zaria city wall
Kano state:-
1 Gidan Makama
2 kano city wall
3 Habe Mosque at Bebeji near kano.
Katsina state:-
1 Old teacher college katsina
2 Gorbiru minaret
3 Tumuli Durbi takushayi
Kogi State:-
1 Ata Ogu tumuli
Kwara state:-
1 Dayspring relics
2 Okuta fort
3 Yashikera fort
4 Otaro stone figure
5 Ijara stone figure
Lagos state:-
1 Iloja bar
2 Oba’s house
3 water house
4 Old secretarial
5 Elephant house
6 No 10 Eleya Street Lagos Brazilian building
Niger state:-
1 Tsoede’s tomb at Gwangade
2 Ikatanbu Palace of the Esu Mohamed at bida
3 Government house at Zongori
Ogun State
1 Sungbo Shrine {groove near Oke-Eri near Ijebu}
Ondo State:-
1 Igbaraoke petroglyha
2 The palace of Deji of Akure
Osun State:-
1 Itayemoo Ile-Ife
2 Osun Shrine Oshogbo
3 Ilajo Stone figure
4 Shrine at Ate Oja Oshogbo
Plateau State:-
1 Stone Built Causeway forof
2 Tading Causeway
3 Batura Causeway
4 Kwadon Kaya
5 First Mining Beacon
River State:-
1 King Jaja Statue Opobo
Sokoto State:-
1 the ancient ruins of Surami City
Monuments and Site in Plateau State
Stone Built causeway, Bokos. There are three of these schedule monuments in Plateau State. The three bridges are stone causeway and are believe to have been built before the arrived of the present inhabitants {Biron}. According to tradition they have been in existence for three generations. The remains of these causeways can be seeing even today.
Ladia pool, Quan-pam. This is a schedule monument in the state. According to tradition the pool remains dry during the raining season but over flooded it bank during dry season. The pool is encircled with stones where male children are given birth to. It is believed that any male child who refused to walk to these stone will disappear forever. Moreover female children are not allowed to go there.
Dungwan pool, Quan-pam. This is also a schedule monument in the state. Tradition has it that the pool over flooded it bank during dry season. Fishing is not allowed in the pool. It is believed that when a fish from the pool are drown out from the pool the fish will cut itself into pieces and will not cook even if cooked for several hours until it is taken back to the pool.
Nwun pool, Quan-pam. This particular pool usually over flood it bank during the dry season and then disappeared.
Dashit-Manga Bakin Ciyawa, Quan Pam. This one the declared monuments in the state, when the long Chief of Dashit is install, the chief will be taken there to commune with the spirit. The chief will stay there without food and water
Footprint at Chimnlardarg, Quan Pam. This foot prints of a hunter and his dog with his finger print on a rock.
Cave with Tunnel, Quan Pam. This particular cave was believed to have shield the people from the invading Army during inter tribal war.
Footprint on a Rock, Saklang-shandan. This is a horse print on a rock. The rock is believed to sacred and people are not allowed to with shoe and cloths on their body.
Leg Rings Dibbon, Lang tang. These are three ancient leg rings. The rings are so hard to removed when one tries to removed from the ancient legs.
Na-niag {bush cow shang on a rock}, Hamal-shandam. This is a stone in the shape of a bush cow. It is a place where two hunter fought a bush cow which eventually turned rock in order to escaped been killed by the hunter.
Footprint Man and Dog {Kwallak hill} Gasum. This signified the first Tarok to settle in the area.
Bwongbko shot {an old Divisional appeal Court}, Riyon. This is an old divisional court used till 1947. it was declared monument when the court was moved to Jos on the appointment of the first Chief Judge.
Ladia pool, Quan-pam. This is a schedule monument in the state. According to tradition the pool remains dry during the raining season but over flooded it bank during dry season. The pool is encircled with stones where male children are given birth to. It is believed that any male child who refused to walk to these stone will disappear forever. Moreover female children are not allowed to go there.
Dungwan pool, Quan-pam. This is also a schedule monument in the state. Tradition has it that the pool over flooded it bank during dry season. Fishing is not allowed in the pool. It is believed that when a fish from the pool are drown out from the pool the fish will cut itself into pieces and will not cook even if cooked for several hours until it is taken back to the pool.
Nwun pool, Quan-pam. This particular pool usually over flood it bank during the dry season and then disappeared.
Dashit-Manga Bakin Ciyawa, Quan Pam. This one the declared monuments in the state, when the long Chief of Dashit is install, the chief will be taken there to commune with the spirit. The chief will stay there without food and water
Footprint at Chimnlardarg, Quan Pam. This foot prints of a hunter and his dog with his finger print on a rock.
Cave with Tunnel, Quan Pam. This particular cave was believed to have shield the people from the invading Army during inter tribal war.
Footprint on a Rock, Saklang-shandan. This is a horse print on a rock. The rock is believed to sacred and people are not allowed to with shoe and cloths on their body.
Leg Rings Dibbon, Lang tang. These are three ancient leg rings. The rings are so hard to removed when one tries to removed from the ancient legs.
Na-niag {bush cow shang on a rock}, Hamal-shandam. This is a stone in the shape of a bush cow. It is a place where two hunter fought a bush cow which eventually turned rock in order to escaped been killed by the hunter.
Footprint Man and Dog {Kwallak hill} Gasum. This signified the first Tarok to settle in the area.
Bwongbko shot {an old Divisional appeal Court}, Riyon. This is an old divisional court used till 1947. it was declared monument when the court was moved to Jos on the appointment of the first Chief Judge.
Declared Monuments and site in Nigeria
1 Old Residency Calabar. The house together with its compound was declared monument on the 14th August 1959.The ground floor was used as a divisional office during the colonial era. The first floor is a rest room or house and it is furnished with furniture and fittings. It becomes visually an historic house museum.
2 Rebeh’s house. Fort Diwa, Borno State. This house and the compound thereof were declared monuments on the 13th April 1959. The house was the resident of Rebeh a general who came from Sudan and made himself a ruler of Borno Kokuwa, he established his headquarter at Diwa where a great fort was built and he remains there till the year 1900. The French troupe ousted and killed him at Guja also in Borno State.
3 Rock Painting at dutsen damisa near Gumen in Jigawa State. This was declared a site on the 23rd March 1959 together with an area within the radius of 182 meters as a result of the discovery at geshi where further groups of rock paintings were reported. The paintings are about 8 kilometers from the Geshi and consist of merely cattle figures. They were in a better state preservation than those of the Geshi. Though not of high standard artistically.
4 Obu’s house, Ohafia Abia State- Ndi Anaga meeting house. It was declared monument on the 19th March 1953. The structure is very simple with large verandah closed with earthen walls at both ends and one long longitudinal line with the other side opening towards the compound. The monumentality of the building is due to the magnificent effect of created by free rolls of richly carved post supporting the rolls and dividing the interior into three narrow aisle or passage. The pillars are carved with representation of warriors; masquerade and women carrying loads combine with geometrical or stylized botanical pattern.
5 Chief Okoroji’s house. Arochukwu Abia State. This was declared monument on the 19th March 1953. Very few Aro building survived the last century but the parts that remains represent a highly developed construction skills. They have beautiful found aisles or passages at the front of the house and the interior posse’s highly successful architectural details and decorations. Chief Okoroji who built the house was probably at the height of his prosperity in 1880 but die before the Aro expedition. The plan of the house is simply an inner room, an outer verandah and the most striking features are its height. It was built on the plinth which makes it a very tall building giving the building length of the room from front of the house. The house have an interior verandah, it has low carved timber mound benches. A pair of large chain hangs on the ceiling and rafter is ornamental with rolls of animals’ skull. The inner even has an interesting dome at most dark pitch{darkness} and clouded with fairly hair loom, while the center piece of the room is a shrine made of fine curved manila with flat ends and crown with shape bell around the wall and rolls of china plates, several dishes and cover, filla dishes and bowl. There is also a provision of plates, mugs, bicaks, and taka. The ceiling on the room is huge with variety of lantern and street light. Elsewhere in the room are canon, sword and gun. All of these are miscellaneous European article. They appear to be less than 19th century English and German trade group or souvenirs. There are also some spirant ream type brass manilas of very good specimen. There are also fluid designs of wood carving.
6 Old Teacher Training College. Katsina State. This was declared monument on the 23rd April 1959. the college becomes the most famous and influential educational institution in the Northern Nigeria. The opening of the college in 1921 mark the beginning of the real step forward in the history of education in that part of the country. The house was constructed with local materials used by local craftsmen and in traditional style. They are been used both in character and charm. There are thick wall or great wall and griseous ashes. The thick wall gives then an aura of strength as well as beauty.
7 Foot Bridge at Zungerun Kaduna State. This was declared monument on the 16th February 1956. The foot bridge is an interesting example of Engineering before the coming of railway and the development of roads in Nigeria. The steel bridge was originally erected by late lord lugard at Zungeru but was re- erected in 1954 in Kaduna garden.
8 Gidan Madaki, Bauchi State. This house and the entire compound were declared monument on the 16th March 1953. the house is situated along 45 kilometers from Bauchi-kano road. It was built in 1860 by the celebrated master builder of the century Mallam Baba Gwani of Zaria. The main hall and others built within the compound of the madaki were the handy work of baba Gwani who at about this period 1850 and 1860 was renown in hausa land for his skill in architecture. He dies at Birnin in 1862 at the hand of his patron who will tolerate no other rulers having a house of his kind. The zauri or entrance hall is a room of about 4.5 meters by 8.5 meters and has a roof supported by massive square colors. 9 bys are found there and the roof is constructed with Azara and mound. The baba zauri{main hall} present no less advantage than the site in the ancient tradition and unspoken architectural character, they are among the most appreciated building with sled type doom rooms and very interesting form of classical aisle and ashes. The main hall is filled with and furnished with leather cover door. On the eastern part of the main hall is an ate {room before another part of} and it roof is supported by 1.4 meters beams. The walls surrounding the halls varied in sizes and it is not regular in shape. The southern perimeter walls are approximately 1.3 meters in width by 4.5 meters in height by 6 meters high. Oppositte to this is the Mosque whose interior construction is similar to gida makama of kano state.
9 Petroglyes of Igbaraoke. Near Akure Ondo State. This was declared site on the 19 February 1963. In 1959 during the leveling of a site for a new house in igbaraoke, some 27 kilometers on Akure-Ilesa road in Ondo State, a large rock with engrave design was uncovered. Nothing was known of the significant or the age but it includes what appears to be like a fish as well as a narrow triangular pattern. The rock is opposite the csc school and about 9 meters south west of the main road. It has be fenced and identified as a site.
10 Maigimin at Mushishi Niger State. This was declared monument on the 13th February 1962. this house with the surround land is within 30 meters on either side from the crest of maijimia house. It was declared on the native authority {NA}. it was a house occurred by the first three British army officers to be stationed at mushishi during the initial campaign against Abubarka Esunupe and Abraham the Emir of Katagura in the very period of the last century. The three officers were known as Maijima, Maihakurikai, and maigimima.
11 Sungbo Shrine Ijebu Ode Ogun State. This was declared a site on the 15th December 1964. Sungbo shrine lays in the land of Oke-eri {a quarter in Oke-eri from which the chief priest of the shrine most be choosen. No woman is allowed to approach this shrine for fear of death. The groove is popularly said to a miraculous place. There is a huge cob webs and the grasses there never grow. It is situated in a groove a few yards erede east of the arena which is slept bare of leaves with no other shrine or monuments to mark it suppose site of sungbo burial place. Annual sacrifices are usually made here to Sungbo. Erede is a great earth surrounding the town of Ijebu Ode. History has if that queen sheba pass through here on her way to the southern part of Africa.
12 Iloja Bar at No 6 Ali Street and no 2 Bamgbose street Lagos state. This was declared monument on the 6th April 1966. it is located at the corner of these two street . The building owned by Mr. Olaiya has probably the greatest architectural interest of all building in Lagos. It is in a moderate state of repair but will require a huge amount of money for future maintenance. It was built about 150 years ago and one of the most modern style building built by Nigerian shortly after Lagos became a colony by frees slave family returning from Brazil. It is one of the most striking of the Brazilian style of building with attracting arch doorway and windows, fine iron baluster and statue. The Brazilian style of architecture has influence much of Yoruba land buildings.
13 Habe Mosque at Bebeji, Kano State. This was declared monument on 15th December 1954. The mosque was said to have been built in 1770 in three stages. The northern part was rebuilt 27 years age when the mosque was in great ruins. The mosque is located on the old Kano- Zaria road. the latest report has it that no trace of the ancient mosque remains today as it has been completely pull down and rebuilt in modern style of technology.
14 Tower of Surami, Sokoto State. This was declared monument on the 15th August 1964. it was declared a monument despite the fact that it has been abandon for 300 years. The tower wall still stand between 4.5 meters to 6 meters and the declaration include the line of the main road of the area in line within a distance of 91 meters from the crest of the wall. Mohamed Kaita Saiki of Kabbi whose empire is said to have included Yauri, nupe, Goba, Kano, Katsina, Zaria, and Aggade found Surami in the early 16th century. The town existed for 84 years 4 months and 20 days before it was finally abandon in the 18th century when the capital was move to Birnin Kabbi. As it is within front region, it was been protected from the ravages of Agriculture while trance of house walls and hut foundation are still visible. An ancient baoba tree mark the site of kaita house’s and walls to which the magic of properties where attributed 5 kilometers south of surami is the town of gogu also found by kaita. The place is now the site of model village and the whole area has been cultivated for a considerable period so nothing remains of the defensive walls.
Kaita found a number of settlement ay that period and according to records there are walls of 16 kilometers circumference built of stone with the internal filled with late rite or red mud which is evidence that it was brought from a far distance. It is said that persons condemn to death were throw down form this wall probably with ropes around their neck. The surami wall may be the hand work of the same people who built the famous wall of lobi in the French territory.
15 Benin City Walls and Moats, Edo State. This was declared monument on the 1st of June 1961. the declaration as a monument include the site lines within 15 meters on the crest of the walls from the inside and within 30 meters of the crest of the wall from the outside provided at all existing building sited within 15 meters of the crest of walls on the outside shall be deem to be lawfully erected as long as they exist. These are the most impressive city walls from the southern part of Nigeria. At the highest point the wall measured 9 meters high with a surrounding ditches of moats measuring another 9 meters deep giving a total in climb of 18 meters. Unfortunately in the past few years the walls have been extensively demolished and level and used by the public for building purpose.
16 King Jaja Statue, River State. This was declared monument on the 14th of August 1959. It was declared a monument together with the surrounding land within the radius of 30 meters from the statue. King Douglas Jaja was one of the fourth kings from Opbobo section of Vonmimi River State who founded the Opobo town in 1870. He later became the king of opobo town, a position he held until his death in 1887. He was exit to the western India but having spent some years, he was pardon but die on his way home at Temmeriffe on 7th July 1891. He was buried in opobo. The statue was made in England and erected in 1907. The expenses were borne by Chief of opobo and some jaja Europeans friends.
17 Ita Yemoo Ile Ife, Osun State.this was declared monument on the 20th February 1959.ita yemoo is situated on the easthern side of ife-ilesa road on the ilesa end of the town. A stripe of land measuring 480meters by 120 meters following ilesha- ife road from beacon 215c in the southern direction to the point were the inner wall met the ife-ilesha road. In 1987 during the foundation excavation of a new house, some outstanding fine example of ife bronze work were discovered. Fortunately, the then Director of Antiquities Mr. Bernard Fagg happen to be in ile- ife at that time and took immediate step to protect the finds and the site. The department carried out excavation work of the area and the site was found to contain a lot of terracotta’s and pottery. The whole areas later turn out to be an important archaeological site. One piece of pavement was also uncovered and a roof built over it.
18 Carved Stone Figure in Igbajo Osun State. This was declared a site on the 5th of October 1964. it is 60cm high mounted onj a based embedded in the ground and dedicated to esu. It stands on the road side in the center of the town. It is still in good condition excerpt for a deep cut on the left elbow which was said to inflict during one of inter- tribal Wars with ilesha about the middle of the last century. According to Owa of Igbajo, there were two other stone carving, one of which was stolen some 30 years ago, while the other was badly mutilated by fanatical Christian recently.
19 Stone built causeway at Bokos Plateau State. This was declared monument on the 16th February 1956 together with an area of land including the stream within the radius of 91 meters. It also comprises of intricately and painstakingly arranged stone to form bridge over the stream.
20 Stone built causeway at Butura also at Bokos plateau state. This was declared monument on the 16th February 1982. It was declared a monument with an area of land including the stream within the radius of the center of the causeway. It also comprises of intricately and painstakingly arranged stone to form the bridge across the stream. The origin of the stone structure is unknown but evidence suggests that they were there before the Riyon tribes arrived in Bokos in a date considered to be between 150 and 200 years. The present inhabitants of Bokos were capable of maintaining the causeway and putting it in good condition since their ancestors came into the plateau. The remains of some 30 bridge or causeways could still be see as at 1956 including a high level at Bokos 80 kilometers from Jos.
21 Carved Stone Monolith, Alok Cross River State. This was declared a site on the 19th March 1963. These and numerous circle of an interesting carved stone in cross river, two of which are situated on Ogoja-Ikom highway near the village of Alok and Emaghabe. Emaghabe is 178 kilometers while Alok is 179 kilometers. Little is known about the history and significance of these carved stone but they are still reverence and reserved by the local people. The quality of workmanship and reality of such an art form in this region given the stone a significant value although there bare considerable variation in details. These entire monoliths are alike in that they represent dreaded human figures. They appear to have little significance for the present inhabitants who believe that these stone must be graves of the Ntuls ie the priest of the alam people. Presently the stone are no longer carved.
22 Nanna of Itsekiri Palace Koko, Delta State. The house was declared a monument in 1966. It comprises of a big county with rooms arranged round it. Two of these rooms today occupied an exhibition of the various treasures belonging to the exit chief Nanna, who was dethrone by the British at the beginning of the 18th century. The building earth of koko people is the loose type that is made to be stabilized with grey clay common in these areas. The construction generally as well as the wall finishing as could be seen on the palace wall though in the later chalk finish was also introduced. In recent years the building has suffers so much deterioration as well as bastardization by quark restorers.
23 Chief Enogie’s house Obasagbo, Edo State. This building and its entire compound was declared monument on the 4th June 1961. The house is composed of a courtyard which is all that survived of the original building which is probably built in the second half of the 19th century. The courtyard is believed to be the materials of unplanned structure since it was first built. There are many features in the building which indicate direct names of the architecture of Benin. This includes horizontally fluided wall, central inpluvium and carved decoration on timber walls. There are two important features which are not known in Benin. These are symmetry of the plain having the main entrance door and main altar on the longitudinal axis and on the east with very heavy earth pillars measuring 75cm in plain and 240cm high.
2 Rebeh’s house. Fort Diwa, Borno State. This house and the compound thereof were declared monuments on the 13th April 1959. The house was the resident of Rebeh a general who came from Sudan and made himself a ruler of Borno Kokuwa, he established his headquarter at Diwa where a great fort was built and he remains there till the year 1900. The French troupe ousted and killed him at Guja also in Borno State.
3 Rock Painting at dutsen damisa near Gumen in Jigawa State. This was declared a site on the 23rd March 1959 together with an area within the radius of 182 meters as a result of the discovery at geshi where further groups of rock paintings were reported. The paintings are about 8 kilometers from the Geshi and consist of merely cattle figures. They were in a better state preservation than those of the Geshi. Though not of high standard artistically.
4 Obu’s house, Ohafia Abia State- Ndi Anaga meeting house. It was declared monument on the 19th March 1953. The structure is very simple with large verandah closed with earthen walls at both ends and one long longitudinal line with the other side opening towards the compound. The monumentality of the building is due to the magnificent effect of created by free rolls of richly carved post supporting the rolls and dividing the interior into three narrow aisle or passage. The pillars are carved with representation of warriors; masquerade and women carrying loads combine with geometrical or stylized botanical pattern.
5 Chief Okoroji’s house. Arochukwu Abia State. This was declared monument on the 19th March 1953. Very few Aro building survived the last century but the parts that remains represent a highly developed construction skills. They have beautiful found aisles or passages at the front of the house and the interior posse’s highly successful architectural details and decorations. Chief Okoroji who built the house was probably at the height of his prosperity in 1880 but die before the Aro expedition. The plan of the house is simply an inner room, an outer verandah and the most striking features are its height. It was built on the plinth which makes it a very tall building giving the building length of the room from front of the house. The house have an interior verandah, it has low carved timber mound benches. A pair of large chain hangs on the ceiling and rafter is ornamental with rolls of animals’ skull. The inner even has an interesting dome at most dark pitch{darkness} and clouded with fairly hair loom, while the center piece of the room is a shrine made of fine curved manila with flat ends and crown with shape bell around the wall and rolls of china plates, several dishes and cover, filla dishes and bowl. There is also a provision of plates, mugs, bicaks, and taka. The ceiling on the room is huge with variety of lantern and street light. Elsewhere in the room are canon, sword and gun. All of these are miscellaneous European article. They appear to be less than 19th century English and German trade group or souvenirs. There are also some spirant ream type brass manilas of very good specimen. There are also fluid designs of wood carving.
6 Old Teacher Training College. Katsina State. This was declared monument on the 23rd April 1959. the college becomes the most famous and influential educational institution in the Northern Nigeria. The opening of the college in 1921 mark the beginning of the real step forward in the history of education in that part of the country. The house was constructed with local materials used by local craftsmen and in traditional style. They are been used both in character and charm. There are thick wall or great wall and griseous ashes. The thick wall gives then an aura of strength as well as beauty.
7 Foot Bridge at Zungerun Kaduna State. This was declared monument on the 16th February 1956. The foot bridge is an interesting example of Engineering before the coming of railway and the development of roads in Nigeria. The steel bridge was originally erected by late lord lugard at Zungeru but was re- erected in 1954 in Kaduna garden.
8 Gidan Madaki, Bauchi State. This house and the entire compound were declared monument on the 16th March 1953. the house is situated along 45 kilometers from Bauchi-kano road. It was built in 1860 by the celebrated master builder of the century Mallam Baba Gwani of Zaria. The main hall and others built within the compound of the madaki were the handy work of baba Gwani who at about this period 1850 and 1860 was renown in hausa land for his skill in architecture. He dies at Birnin in 1862 at the hand of his patron who will tolerate no other rulers having a house of his kind. The zauri or entrance hall is a room of about 4.5 meters by 8.5 meters and has a roof supported by massive square colors. 9 bys are found there and the roof is constructed with Azara and mound. The baba zauri{main hall} present no less advantage than the site in the ancient tradition and unspoken architectural character, they are among the most appreciated building with sled type doom rooms and very interesting form of classical aisle and ashes. The main hall is filled with and furnished with leather cover door. On the eastern part of the main hall is an ate {room before another part of} and it roof is supported by 1.4 meters beams. The walls surrounding the halls varied in sizes and it is not regular in shape. The southern perimeter walls are approximately 1.3 meters in width by 4.5 meters in height by 6 meters high. Oppositte to this is the Mosque whose interior construction is similar to gida makama of kano state.
9 Petroglyes of Igbaraoke. Near Akure Ondo State. This was declared site on the 19 February 1963. In 1959 during the leveling of a site for a new house in igbaraoke, some 27 kilometers on Akure-Ilesa road in Ondo State, a large rock with engrave design was uncovered. Nothing was known of the significant or the age but it includes what appears to be like a fish as well as a narrow triangular pattern. The rock is opposite the csc school and about 9 meters south west of the main road. It has be fenced and identified as a site.
10 Maigimin at Mushishi Niger State. This was declared monument on the 13th February 1962. this house with the surround land is within 30 meters on either side from the crest of maijimia house. It was declared on the native authority {NA}. it was a house occurred by the first three British army officers to be stationed at mushishi during the initial campaign against Abubarka Esunupe and Abraham the Emir of Katagura in the very period of the last century. The three officers were known as Maijima, Maihakurikai, and maigimima.
11 Sungbo Shrine Ijebu Ode Ogun State. This was declared a site on the 15th December 1964. Sungbo shrine lays in the land of Oke-eri {a quarter in Oke-eri from which the chief priest of the shrine most be choosen. No woman is allowed to approach this shrine for fear of death. The groove is popularly said to a miraculous place. There is a huge cob webs and the grasses there never grow. It is situated in a groove a few yards erede east of the arena which is slept bare of leaves with no other shrine or monuments to mark it suppose site of sungbo burial place. Annual sacrifices are usually made here to Sungbo. Erede is a great earth surrounding the town of Ijebu Ode. History has if that queen sheba pass through here on her way to the southern part of Africa.
12 Iloja Bar at No 6 Ali Street and no 2 Bamgbose street Lagos state. This was declared monument on the 6th April 1966. it is located at the corner of these two street . The building owned by Mr. Olaiya has probably the greatest architectural interest of all building in Lagos. It is in a moderate state of repair but will require a huge amount of money for future maintenance. It was built about 150 years ago and one of the most modern style building built by Nigerian shortly after Lagos became a colony by frees slave family returning from Brazil. It is one of the most striking of the Brazilian style of building with attracting arch doorway and windows, fine iron baluster and statue. The Brazilian style of architecture has influence much of Yoruba land buildings.
13 Habe Mosque at Bebeji, Kano State. This was declared monument on 15th December 1954. The mosque was said to have been built in 1770 in three stages. The northern part was rebuilt 27 years age when the mosque was in great ruins. The mosque is located on the old Kano- Zaria road. the latest report has it that no trace of the ancient mosque remains today as it has been completely pull down and rebuilt in modern style of technology.
14 Tower of Surami, Sokoto State. This was declared monument on the 15th August 1964. it was declared a monument despite the fact that it has been abandon for 300 years. The tower wall still stand between 4.5 meters to 6 meters and the declaration include the line of the main road of the area in line within a distance of 91 meters from the crest of the wall. Mohamed Kaita Saiki of Kabbi whose empire is said to have included Yauri, nupe, Goba, Kano, Katsina, Zaria, and Aggade found Surami in the early 16th century. The town existed for 84 years 4 months and 20 days before it was finally abandon in the 18th century when the capital was move to Birnin Kabbi. As it is within front region, it was been protected from the ravages of Agriculture while trance of house walls and hut foundation are still visible. An ancient baoba tree mark the site of kaita house’s and walls to which the magic of properties where attributed 5 kilometers south of surami is the town of gogu also found by kaita. The place is now the site of model village and the whole area has been cultivated for a considerable period so nothing remains of the defensive walls.
Kaita found a number of settlement ay that period and according to records there are walls of 16 kilometers circumference built of stone with the internal filled with late rite or red mud which is evidence that it was brought from a far distance. It is said that persons condemn to death were throw down form this wall probably with ropes around their neck. The surami wall may be the hand work of the same people who built the famous wall of lobi in the French territory.
15 Benin City Walls and Moats, Edo State. This was declared monument on the 1st of June 1961. the declaration as a monument include the site lines within 15 meters on the crest of the walls from the inside and within 30 meters of the crest of the wall from the outside provided at all existing building sited within 15 meters of the crest of walls on the outside shall be deem to be lawfully erected as long as they exist. These are the most impressive city walls from the southern part of Nigeria. At the highest point the wall measured 9 meters high with a surrounding ditches of moats measuring another 9 meters deep giving a total in climb of 18 meters. Unfortunately in the past few years the walls have been extensively demolished and level and used by the public for building purpose.
16 King Jaja Statue, River State. This was declared monument on the 14th of August 1959. It was declared a monument together with the surrounding land within the radius of 30 meters from the statue. King Douglas Jaja was one of the fourth kings from Opbobo section of Vonmimi River State who founded the Opobo town in 1870. He later became the king of opobo town, a position he held until his death in 1887. He was exit to the western India but having spent some years, he was pardon but die on his way home at Temmeriffe on 7th July 1891. He was buried in opobo. The statue was made in England and erected in 1907. The expenses were borne by Chief of opobo and some jaja Europeans friends.
17 Ita Yemoo Ile Ife, Osun State.this was declared monument on the 20th February 1959.ita yemoo is situated on the easthern side of ife-ilesa road on the ilesa end of the town. A stripe of land measuring 480meters by 120 meters following ilesha- ife road from beacon 215c in the southern direction to the point were the inner wall met the ife-ilesha road. In 1987 during the foundation excavation of a new house, some outstanding fine example of ife bronze work were discovered. Fortunately, the then Director of Antiquities Mr. Bernard Fagg happen to be in ile- ife at that time and took immediate step to protect the finds and the site. The department carried out excavation work of the area and the site was found to contain a lot of terracotta’s and pottery. The whole areas later turn out to be an important archaeological site. One piece of pavement was also uncovered and a roof built over it.
18 Carved Stone Figure in Igbajo Osun State. This was declared a site on the 5th of October 1964. it is 60cm high mounted onj a based embedded in the ground and dedicated to esu. It stands on the road side in the center of the town. It is still in good condition excerpt for a deep cut on the left elbow which was said to inflict during one of inter- tribal Wars with ilesha about the middle of the last century. According to Owa of Igbajo, there were two other stone carving, one of which was stolen some 30 years ago, while the other was badly mutilated by fanatical Christian recently.
19 Stone built causeway at Bokos Plateau State. This was declared monument on the 16th February 1956 together with an area of land including the stream within the radius of 91 meters. It also comprises of intricately and painstakingly arranged stone to form bridge over the stream.
20 Stone built causeway at Butura also at Bokos plateau state. This was declared monument on the 16th February 1982. It was declared a monument with an area of land including the stream within the radius of the center of the causeway. It also comprises of intricately and painstakingly arranged stone to form the bridge across the stream. The origin of the stone structure is unknown but evidence suggests that they were there before the Riyon tribes arrived in Bokos in a date considered to be between 150 and 200 years. The present inhabitants of Bokos were capable of maintaining the causeway and putting it in good condition since their ancestors came into the plateau. The remains of some 30 bridge or causeways could still be see as at 1956 including a high level at Bokos 80 kilometers from Jos.
21 Carved Stone Monolith, Alok Cross River State. This was declared a site on the 19th March 1963. These and numerous circle of an interesting carved stone in cross river, two of which are situated on Ogoja-Ikom highway near the village of Alok and Emaghabe. Emaghabe is 178 kilometers while Alok is 179 kilometers. Little is known about the history and significance of these carved stone but they are still reverence and reserved by the local people. The quality of workmanship and reality of such an art form in this region given the stone a significant value although there bare considerable variation in details. These entire monoliths are alike in that they represent dreaded human figures. They appear to have little significance for the present inhabitants who believe that these stone must be graves of the Ntuls ie the priest of the alam people. Presently the stone are no longer carved.
22 Nanna of Itsekiri Palace Koko, Delta State. The house was declared a monument in 1966. It comprises of a big county with rooms arranged round it. Two of these rooms today occupied an exhibition of the various treasures belonging to the exit chief Nanna, who was dethrone by the British at the beginning of the 18th century. The building earth of koko people is the loose type that is made to be stabilized with grey clay common in these areas. The construction generally as well as the wall finishing as could be seen on the palace wall though in the later chalk finish was also introduced. In recent years the building has suffers so much deterioration as well as bastardization by quark restorers.
23 Chief Enogie’s house Obasagbo, Edo State. This building and its entire compound was declared monument on the 4th June 1961. The house is composed of a courtyard which is all that survived of the original building which is probably built in the second half of the 19th century. The courtyard is believed to be the materials of unplanned structure since it was first built. There are many features in the building which indicate direct names of the architecture of Benin. This includes horizontally fluided wall, central inpluvium and carved decoration on timber walls. There are two important features which are not known in Benin. These are symmetry of the plain having the main entrance door and main altar on the longitudinal axis and on the east with very heavy earth pillars measuring 75cm in plain and 240cm high.
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