Cotton production and processing in colonial Okunland, Kogi State, Nigeria: an analysis of the role of women

ABSTRACT

This work examined the production and processing of cotton in Okunland during the colonial period with a focus on the role of women. The work is intended to document the major efforts involved in the production and processing of cotton in Okunland during the colonial period focusing specifically on cotton procedures/processing, cloth dyeing, weaving, and the categorisation of Okun woven cloths. The study adopted the qualitative research design. The primary and secondary sources were explored for the purpose of data generation. Six (6) key-informants were selected across Okunland for in-depth interview through purposive sampling. A prime consideration for selecting the key-informants was their knowledge of the subject of discussion. The secondary sources of data were books, journal articles, archival materials and reports. For the purpose of data analysis, the study adopted thematic content analysis. The study found that cotton production and processing formed a major component of the agricultural economy of Okunland during the colonial period, and women were at the heart of these efforts.

KEYWORDS:

• Cotton production and processing
• cloth dyeing
• cloth weaving
• Okunland
• Nigeria

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Roseline Oshewolo

Roseline Oshewolo currently lectures in the Department of History and International Studies, Federal University Lokoja, Nigeria. Her core areas of research interest are Commodity History and Gender Studies. Her most recent scholarly works appeared in Geo Journal (Springer) and the Round Table (Taylor and Francis).

Ibrahim Jawondo

Ibrahim Jawondo is a Professor of History at the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.