SIRIGU- HOME OF ART AND CULTURE

Our journey to Sirigu Township on placement filled our minds with naïve thoughts since it was the first time for some of us. We saw beautiful landscapes, so many interesting sights; from the Houses, the vegetation and beautiful breath taking field crops covering the earth in green which occasioned a profound shift in the teams understanding of where, and what we were going to.

Sirigu has a nice environment making it possible for one to have a nice view of the sunrise in the morning and the sunset in the evening talk less the boastful inspirational historical background. The settlement pattern of Sirigu is basically dispersed and accompanied by lots of footpaths linked together like blood vessels providing an avenue for residents to use vast land for agricultural purpose. They cultivate crops such as millet, groundnut, legumes and also rear livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, donkeys usually pegged at one place during the farming season to prevent them from destroying the crops.

Our myopic and naïve thoughts begun to unfold into marvelous awaking as we integrate into the community, by seeing, asking, being informed about ideas and things unimaginable around us. This gave us a bigger picture of the entirety of Sirigu and most importantly an over view effect of SWOPA and access to the very way of life of the people of Sirigu.

In the olden days, Sirigu was vulnerable to wild animals and slave raiders who were in the region. This made them to come out with a striking and a defensive traditional architectural building used to shield them from these raiders and wild animals. The house had different segments which includes; entrance, animal yard and courtyard. The animal yard is made up of cow barn, chicken pen and granary. The courtyard comprises the living unit, kitchen, ‘denyanga’ (spaces for the senior women) and a washing niche. The structure of these buildings made it difficult for the slave raider to catch them. Someone was always assigned to watch at far and give a signal after seeing the enemies so they could all run into their rooms. The room is very dark and has uneasy entrance making it easier to strike the enemy who tries to enter. Interesting technique used to design their houses is in the identity of the people of Sirigu. We discovered they are not only into wall motifs or murals but it has been so inspirational learning how ingeniously they are into architectural designs.

STORIES BEHIND THE ART (CRAFT) OF SWOPA

SWOPA’s idea is to empower the women by preserving their culture, and it’s so fascinating to see how these women weave, mold, and paint stories, with an intense intellectual pleasure which gives ecstatic understanding. Most of the products here are not just necessarily done innovatively but portrays the culture of the people of Sirigu. 

The tree wise monkeys: This depicts the story of three monkeys who were believed to be friends and decided to hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil.   

Half human half bird: Three men went to a spiritualist for money rituals. They agreed to be turned into birds for three days after which they would turn to humans, rich. On the second day, the spiritualist died and they couldn’t turn back to human fully.

Canvas paintings: These come in different designs. The two headed crocodile on the paintings were believed to have actually existed in the community to protect it people with only one functioning head. The patterns in the background symbolize unity, leadership and broken calabash.

Having spoken about and displayed the art and craft, it would interest one to know that all these is due to the effort and sweat of a woman of Sirigu who deserves empowerment. That is what the Sirigu Women’s Organization for Pottery and Art (SWOPA) stands for.

Mathew Akataba and Iddi Abubakari.