Location of Nok Culture on Nigeria’s Map & Its History

History JSS 1 Second Term Lesson Notes – Week 1

Topic: The Nok Culture in Nigeria

Lesson Details

• Subject: History
• Class: JSS 1
• Term: Second Term
• Week: 1
• Age: 10–13 years
• Duration: 40 Minutes

Behavioural Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Identify the location of the Nok culture on the map of Nigeria.
2. Explain the historical significance of the Nok civilization.
3. Describe the artistic and technological achievements of the Nok people.
4. Discuss the impact of the Nok culture on modern Nigerian history.

Keywords

• Nok Culture
• Civilization
• Terracotta
• Archaeology
• Ironworking

Set Induction

The teacher asks students if they have ever seen old pottery, sculptures, or iron tools and what they think these objects tell us about the past.

Entry Behaviour

Students have learned about early humans and their settlements in Nigeria.

Learning Resources and Materials

• A map of Nigeria showing the location of the Nok culture (Kaduna, Jos Plateau, Niger State).
• Pictures of Nok terracotta sculptures.
• Short video or slideshow on ancient civilizations in Nigeria.

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students have learned about early humans and their survival techniques. This lesson builds on that by introducing the Nok civilization, one of the earliest known cultures in Nigeria.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Map reading
• Observation and description skills
• Historical analysis

Learning Materials

• Nigeria’s map showing Nok culture
• Nok terracotta images
• History textbooks

Reference Books

• “Junior Secondary History” by A. O. Anjorin
• “Nigerian History for Schools” by F.K. Ekechi
• Online sources from Nigerian historical archives

Lesson Explanation

1. Location of the Nok Culture on the Map of Nigeria

The Nok culture was located in central Nigeria, specifically in present-day Kaduna, Plateau, and Niger States. The first Nok artifacts were discovered in 1928 in Nok village, Kaduna State. Archaeologists later found more artifacts around Jos Plateau and nearby regions.

2. Historical Significance of the Nok Civilization

• The Nok civilization is one of the oldest Iron Age cultures in West Africa, dating back to about 1000 BC – 300 AD.
• It provides some of the earliest evidence of iron smelting and metalworking in Africa.
• The Nok culture is famous for its terracotta sculptures, which are among the oldest and most advanced in sub-Saharan Africa.

3. Achievements of the Nok Culture

• Terracotta Art: The Nok people created unique clay sculptures of human and animal figures.
• Ironworking: They were among the first to develop iron tools, improving agriculture and warfare.
• Early Urbanization: Their settlements show evidence of organized communities.
• Trade and Economy: They engaged in farming, hunting, and trade with other groups.

4. Impact of the Nok Culture on Modern Nigerian History

• The Nok civilization laid the foundation for later Nigerian societies, such as the Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, and Benin Kingdoms.
• Their iron tools helped improve agriculture and warfare, which influenced later societies.
• The art of Nok inspired later Nigerian traditional art forms.

Evaluation Questions (Fill in the Blanks with a, b, c, or d)

1. The Nok culture was first discovered in ____ State.
   a) Kano
   b) Kaduna
   c) Lagos
   d) Sokoto

2. The Nok people were known for making sculptures from ____.
   a) Gold
   b) Stone
   c) Terracotta
   d) Wood

3. The Nok civilization existed between ____ and ____.
   a) 500 BC – 500 AD
   b) 1000 BC – 300 AD
   c) 1500 BC – 1000 AD
   d) 2000 BC – 1500 AD

4. The Nok culture is famous for its early use of ____.
   a) Gold
   b) Iron
   c) Silver
   d) Copper

5. Which of the following Nigerian states was part of the Nok cultural region?
   a) Rivers
   b) Borno
   c) Plateau
   d) Ogun

6. The first Nok artifact was found in ____.
   a) Jos
   b) Zaria
   c) Nok village
   d) Benin City

7. The Nok people engaged in which economic activity?
   a) Oil drilling
   b) Mining
   c) Fishing
   d) Shipbuilding

8. The Nok culture contributed to the development of later Nigerian ____.
   a) Music
   b) Kingdoms
   c) Literature
   d) Politics

9. The Nok terracotta sculptures were made from ____.
   a) Bronze
   b) Clay
   c) Iron
   d) Marble

10. The Nok culture was an example of a(n) ____ Age civilization.
    a) Stone
    b) Iron
    c) Bronze
    d) Digital

Class Activity Discussion (10 FAQs with Answers)

1. Where was the Nok culture located in Nigeria?

   • In central Nigeria, covering Kaduna, Plateau, and Niger States.

2. How was the Nok culture discovered?

   • In 1928, archaeologists found terracotta sculptures in Nok village, Kaduna.

3. What is terracotta?

   • It is a type of baked clay used to make sculptures.

4. Why is the Nok culture important?

   • It was one of the first African civilizations to smelt iron and make advanced sculptures.

5. What were the Nok people known for?

   • Their terracotta sculptures, iron smelting, and farming.

6. What materials did the Nok people use for their sculptures?

   • Clay, which was fired to make terracotta.

7. What tools did the Nok people make?

   • Iron tools for farming and weapons for defense.

8. Did the Nok people have a writing system?

   • No, there is no evidence of a written language.

9. What happened to the Nok civilization?

   • It declined around 300 AD, possibly due to climate change or migration.

10. What impact did the Nok culture have on Nigeria today?

• Their art and iron technology influenced later Nigerian societies.

Presentation Steps

1. Introduction: Teacher revises the previous topic and introduces the new lesson.
2. Class Discussion: Teacher displays a map of Nigeria, pointing to the Nok cultural region.
3. Students’ Participation: They discuss what they know about old sculptures and iron tools.
4. Teacher’s Explanation: The teacher explains the history, achievements, and impact of Nok culture.
5. Visual Learning: Show pictures of Nok artifacts.
6. Conclusion: Summarize key points and allow students to ask questions.

Teacher’s and Learners’ Activities

• Teacher: Explains, shows the map, and moderates discussion.
• Learners: Observe, ask questions, and take notes.

Evaluation Questions (Short Answers)

1. Where was the Nok culture located in Nigeria?
2. What material did the Nok people use for making sculptures?
3. Name two achievements of the Nok civilization.
4. When did the Nok civilization exist?
5. What is the significance of Nok terracotta art?

Conclusion

The teacher marks students’ work, provides corrections, and assigns further reading on Nok culture.