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Obollo-Afor, a town in Enugu State, Nigeria, is not only known for its agricultural produce such as bananas, avocados, cashew nuts, and honey, but also for its production of baskets. These baskets are used to package tomatoes, pepper, okra, and other vegetables from the northern part of Nigeria and are sent across the country, especially to the southern states.
What is interesting about the basket making industry in Obollo-Afor is that it is not only done by adults but also by children in primary and secondary schools. The children initially started weaving baskets as a way to earn pocket money, but the high demand for their services has resulted in them earning a significant amount of money. This has caused some concern among parents as their children are becoming independent and are no longer under their control.
Investigations have revealed that the children weave baskets during their free time, including school holidays, but also find time to focus on their academic work. They receive training from older family members in the community and can weave up to 25 baskets a day, which they sell for around N250 ($0.70) during the school term and N200 ($0.55) during holidays when the market is saturated. Buyers come directly to the village to purchase the baskets in bulk.
The basket making industry in Obollo-Afor provides a unique opportunity for children to earn money while still focusing on their education. However, it also raises questions about the impact on their academic performance and their ability to balance their responsibilities. It is unclear how long a child needs to apprentice before they are certified as skilled in basket weaving, and how the raw materials for the baskets are sourced.
Overall, the basket making industry in Obollo-Afor showcases the resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit of the community, as well as the potential challenges it poses for the children involved.
In Nigeria, the art of basket weaving is a popular and profitable business. The raw materials for making baskets come from the palm tree, specifically the fronds. People in the business either climb the palm trees themselves to get the fronds or hire others to do it for them.
Chukwuebuka, a basket weaver, explains that obtaining palm fronds is not easy. It involves climbing the palm trees and pruning them to get enough fronds. This is beneficial for the owners of the palm trees because it improves the tree’s health and productivity. Chukwuebuka also mentions that those who cannot climb palm trees have to pay others to do it for them. This adds to their expenses and reduces their overall earnings.
During long vacations, Chukwuebuka can weave up to 50 baskets a week, resulting in a total of about 400 baskets in two months. With a price of N200 per basket, he can earn around N80,000 during this time. However, he emphasizes that those who cannot climb palm trees have to pay additional fees for someone to collect the fronds for them.
Another basket weaver, Sunday Ugwu, is only 15 years old but already involved in the business. Like Chukwuebuka, he climbs palm trees himself to collect the raw materials. He weaves around 20 baskets a week and up to 80 baskets in a month. Sunday weaves on days when school is out, typically starting in the afternoon and finishing in the evening. He uses the money he earns for personal needs and saves the rest for the future.
Ogbu Christian is a 25-year-old secondary school dropout who weaves baskets to support himself. He is unable to climb palm trees, so he pays others to collect the fronds for him. He weaves around 25 baskets a week and 100 in a month. Christian sells his baskets at a center called Ejuona Iheakpu and uses the proceeds to finance his apprenticeship as a welder. He has been weaving for over seven years and depends on it for his clothing, food, and other expenses.
Overall, basket weaving is not only a source of income for these individuals, but it also provides opportunities for creativity and skill development. It enables them to support themselves financially and pursue other interests or careers.
Basket weaving is a thriving industry in Obollo-Afor, Nigeria, providing income for local families and contributing to the local economy. Francis Anaedozie, Chairman of the Basket Dealers’ Association, explains that baskets are collected from different villages and hamlets in the area and then transported to the northern part of the country, where they are in high demand for packaging tomatoes, okra, pepper, and other vegetables. The baskets are sold to dealers in states such as Gombe, Jos, Zaria, Kaduna, Kano, and Ogbomosho. Anaedozie mentions that the price of the baskets depends on the time of year and the location of sale, with transport costs included in the final price. The demand for baskets is highest between June and September, as this is the prime season for tomato production.
While basket weaving provides economic opportunities for many families, it also has some negative effects. Parents complain that their children are becoming less obedient because of the large amounts of money they can earn from the business. In some cases, children are choosing to weave baskets instead of pursuing their education, leading to missed opportunities for further development. Despite these negative consequences, some individuals argue that basket weaving is a better alternative to engaging in criminal activities. Chukwuebuka, a young man involved in the industry, encourages young people to put their hearts and minds into productive ventures like basket weaving instead of turning to crime.
Uchenna Godwin, a civil servant and resident of Obollo-Afor, describes basket weaving as a staple economic activity in the area. He emphasizes that it is often a starting point for young people looking to make some pocket money, but many individuals eventually expand their involvement to become transporters or exporters. Godwin also mentions the positive impact of basket weaving on people displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in the north, who have found solace and income in the industry.
In conclusion, basket weaving is an important economic activity in Obollo-Afor, Nigeria, providing income for families, contributing to the local economy, and offering a potential path for social and economic mobility. While there are negative consequences such as children prioritizing weaving over education and possible environmental concerns related to deforestation, many view the industry as a viable alternative to criminal activities and a means of personal and community development. The government is called upon to support and encourage basket weavers, as well as educate citizens about environmental preservation.
