A FILM FROM ENDANGERED MATERIAL KNOWLEDGE
The Paramount Ruler of Bida Emirate, Nupe Kingdom | nomad4now
The Bida people of the Nupe Kingdom hold so much history of art and crafts: the making of brass and copper goblets, raffia hats and carpets, locally dyed cotton and silk cloths, and the exceptional glass beads known as Bikini beads.
Sadly, many of these skills, passed down from generation to generation, are vanishing. A heritage whose roots the Masaga craftsmen – Bida bead makers of the Bikini beads – believe are embedded in Egypt, is becoming extinct.
We share a recently released film from Endangered Material Knowledge about the Masaga bead makers, a secret held for over two centuries, and the future of one of the most cherished crafts from The Nupe people.