Which Nigerian ethnic group is associated with the famous Nok terracotta?

Answer Details

The famous Nok terracotta sculptures are associated with the Nok people. The Nok civilisation flourished in what is now central Nigeria (around present-day Kaduna and Plateau States) from approximately 500 BCE to 200 CE. Their terracotta figures, characterised by elaborate hairstyles, pierced eyes, and detailed facial features, are among the earliest known figurative sculptures in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Ibibio people of south-eastern Nigeria are known for their Ekpo masquerade masks and wood carving rather than terracotta. The Hausa people of northern Nigeria are associated with leatherwork, textile dyeing (notably indigo), and architecture. The Tiv people of the Benue region are known for their cloth weaving and body scarification traditions, not terracotta sculpture.