HomeJSS 1HistoryThe Nok People: History, Lifestyle & Achievements

The Nok People: History, Lifestyle & Achievements

History JSS 1 Second Term Lesson Notes – Week 2

Topic: The Nok Culture – The People

Lesson Details

  • Subject: History
  • Class: JSS 1
  • Term: Second Term
  • Week: 2
  • Age: 10–13 years
  • Duration: 40 Minutes

Behavioural Objectives

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

  1. Describe the way of life of the Nok people.
  2. Explain the occupations and economic activities of the Nok people.
  3. Identify the social and political organization of the Nok society.
  4. Discuss the cultural achievements of the Nok civilization.

Keywords

  • Civilization
  • Settlement
  • Terracotta
  • Ironworking
  • Agriculture

Set Induction

The teacher asks students how their communities are organized and what types of work people do. This will help them understand how ancient civilizations like the Nok lived.

Entry Behaviour

Students have learned about the location and history of the Nok culture in Nigeria.

Learning Resources and Materials

  • Map of Nigeria showing Nok settlements
  • Pictures of Nok terracotta sculptures
  • Diagrams of ancient farming and iron tools

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students have learned about early civilizations and how humans transitioned from hunting and gathering to farming. The Nok culture is an example of this transition in Nigeria.

Embedded Core Skills

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

Learning Materials

  • Nigerian history textbooks
  • Nok terracotta images
  • Map of Nigeria with Nok sites

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. The Way of Life of the Nok People

The Nok people lived in small, organized communities in central Nigeria. They built simple houses using mud, thatch, and wood. They relied on farming, hunting, and metalworking for survival.

2. Occupations and Economic Activities

The Nok economy was based on:

  • Farming: They cultivated crops such as millet, sorghum, and yams.
  • Hunting: They hunted wild animals for meat and skins.
  • Ironworking: The Nok people were among the first to use iron tools in West Africa, improving farming and warfare.
  • Pottery and Art: They made beautiful terracotta sculptures, which were used for religious and cultural purposes.
  • Trade: The Nok people exchanged goods with neighboring communities, trading iron tools, pottery, and farm produce.

3. Social and Political Organization

  • The Nok society was likely led by chiefs or elders, who helped resolve conflicts and guided the community.
  • The people lived in clans and family groups, with each person contributing to farming, hunting, or craftsmanship.
  • Religion was important, and they worshipped nature spirits and ancestors.

4. Cultural Achievements of the Nok Civilization

  • Terracotta Sculptures: The Nok people created lifelike clay sculptures of human and animal figures.
  • Iron Smelting: They developed iron tools and weapons, which made farming easier and warfare more effective.
  • Early Urbanization: They formed well-organized communities that influenced later Nigerian civilizations.

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

  1. The Nok people were known for their ____ sculptures.
    a) Bronze
    b) Terracotta
    c) Gold
    d) Marble

  2. The Nok culture was located in present-day ____ Nigeria.
    a) Southern
    b) Eastern
    c) Central
    d) Northern

  3. The Nok people were among the first in Africa to develop ____.
    a) Pottery
    b) Farming
    c) Ironworking
    d) Fishing

  4. Which of the following crops did the Nok people cultivate?
    a) Maize
    b) Millet
    c) Cocoa
    d) Oil palm

  5. The Nok people lived in ____.
    a) Cities
    b) Small villages
    c) Castles
    d) Forest camps

  6. Nok iron tools helped improve ____.
    a) Music
    b) Agriculture
    c) Literature
    d) Medicine

  7. The Nok people used their terracotta sculptures for ____.
    a) Cooking
    b) Decoration
    c) Religious and cultural purposes
    d) Trade with Europeans

  8. The Nok culture declined around ____.
    a) 500 AD
    b) 1000 AD
    c) 300 AD
    d) 1500 AD

  9. The Nok society was ruled by ____.
    a) Kings
    b) Chiefs or elders
    c) Soldiers
    d) Traders

  10. The Nok culture influenced later civilizations such as ____.
    a) Benin and Ife
    b) Ghana and Mali
    c) Ancient Rome
    d) The British Empire

Class Activity Discussion (10 FAQs with Answers)

  1. Where did the Nok people live?

    • In central Nigeria, in small farming villages.

  2. What were their houses made of?

    • Mud, thatch, and wood.

  3. What were the main jobs of the Nok people?

    • Farming, hunting, ironworking, and pottery-making.

  4. What crops did they grow?

    • Millet, sorghum, and yams.

  5. Why was ironworking important?

    • It helped them make better tools and weapons.

  6. What is terracotta?

    • A type of baked clay used for sculptures.

  7. How were Nok villages organized?

    • They were led by chiefs or elders.

  8. Did the Nok people have a written language?

    • No, they passed down history through oral tradition.

  9. What happened to the Nok civilization?

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

  10. How did the Nok culture influence later Nigerian societies?

  • Their art and iron technology were passed down to later civilizations like Ife and Benin.

Presentation Steps

  1. Introduction: Review the previous topic on the location of the Nok culture.
  2. Class Discussion: Ask students how people in their communities survive (work, trade, leadership).
  3. Teacher’s Explanation: Explain the daily life, economy, and social structure of the Nok people.
  4. Visual Learning: Show pictures of Nok terracotta sculptures and iron tools.
  5. Student Engagement: Allow students to discuss similarities between Nok society and modern Nigerian villages.
  6. Conclusion: Summarize key points and answer students’ questions.

Teacher’s and Learners’ Activities

  • Teacher: Explains, shows pictures, moderates discussions.
  • Learners: Observe, ask questions, participate in discussions, take notes.

Evaluation Questions (Short Answers)

  1. What were the major occupations of the Nok people?
  2. Name two crops that the Nok people grew.
  3. What was Nok terracotta used for?
  4. How did iron tools help the Nok people?
  5. Who led the Nok society?

Conclusion

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

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