CULTURAL SENSITIZATION AND EXHIBITION ON THE 8000 YEARS OLD DUFUNA CANOE

The National Commission for Museums and Monuments recently organised a cultural sensitization and exhibition of the 8000-year old Dufuna Canoe, in Damagun, Headquarter of Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The Dufuna Canoe, which is reported to be the oldest water craft in Africa and the third oldest in the world, was accidentally discovered by a heardsman, Mallan Yau, while digging a cistern to supply water to his cattle.

The canoe dated to 7,700+BP measrued 8.4 metered in length, 0.5cm wide and 5cm thick. Both ends of the canoe are pointed and carefully carved, suggesting excellent craftsmanship.

In his welcome address, at the occasion, the executive Chairman of Fune Local Government Council, Hon. Adam Arjo Kayeri intoned that the occasion is no doubt a milestone in the effort to preserve and promote the Nation's Cultural Heritage. He urged the people of Yobe State to be proud to have contributed in uplifting Nigeria as one of the early centre of human civilization in the world and home to ancient civilization in Africa.

The Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman in his keynote address, stated the importance of the discovered canoe, which he described as a masterpiece of art.

He added that the objective of the senstitization programme was to inculcate the essence of cultural pride in the people and also to raise cultural heritage awareness. In his words "..the discovery of the canoe goes to show the ingenuity of pre-historic Nigeria and the level of its socio-cultural development..."

He urged the Yobe State Government to seize the opportunity of te Dufuna canoe, to develop its tourist attractions and raise cultural pride and awareness in the people of Yobe. Prof. Peter Breunig, a guest speaker at the occasion and an Archaeologist from the Goethe University in Frankfurt, Main, Germany travelled down memory lane as he recounted the events that led to the discovery of the canoe and the collaborative efforts of the German and Nigerian Governments in ensuring that the canoe was dated and adequately preserved for posterit. He implored the people of Yobe to promote the canoe to the entire world, as it is a source of pride to them.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner of Information and Culture, Barr. Bala Haladu thanked the NCMM for the commitment shown towards organising the sensitization and exhibition of the canoe.

The Commissioner said the Governor has approved the allocation of a plot of land to NCMM for the construction of a museum to specifically house the Dufuna canoe after restoration.

Other events at the sensitization programme included cultural performances and exhibition. Meanwhile, a new museum is being constructed by the NCMM through the Presidential Intervention Fund for Museums and Archives located at Damaturu to serve the final resting place for the canoe.

Present at the occasion were Government oOfficials, representatives of the State Governemnt, Traditional Rulers and Emirs, Local Government Chairmen and Mallam Yau, whose name was registered in gold, the very day he accidentally discovered Dufuna canoe on his farmland.