11/06/2026
BOOOOM 💥
Do you know that the woman on #20 (Tewnty Naira is Gbari woman & from kwali?) read below a little history about her….
“Even in the early years of pottery making, Ladi Kwali excelled in the crafts and her wares were often sold even before they were taken to the markets.”
BIRTH AND EARLY DAYS
Ladi Kwali was born in 1925 in the village of Kwali, Abuja to a family of potters. According to some records like the 1984 Nigeria Year Book, Ladi Kwali was born in the year 1925and she lived her life as a potter, ceramicist and educator. Her name Ladi Kwali is derived from the literal meaning of her name in Hausa Language as a result of the influence of the Hausa people in the Gbagyi land whereas Kawli refers to her Gbagyi home town where she hails from i.e. Kwali which is now Kwali LGA of the Federal Capital Territory. Ladi’s family particularly the women were renowned for making outstanding beautiful clay products with very impressive aesthetics and great functional value. The pots and other materials were used for ornamental and decorative purposes in the residences of the aristocrats and royal houses for general use as household/ kitchen materials. She made large pots for use as water jars, cooking pots, bowls, and flasks e.t.c from coils of clay. Her materials were characterized with geometric and stylish patterns of birds, fish, snake, e.t.c.
Ladi’s tradition (Gbagyi) moved her and influenced her approach to pottery which was echoed by the continuous display of symmetry.
DEATH & LEGACY
Ladi Kwali died on the 12th of August 1984 at the age of 59 in Minna, shortly after Cardew’s death the previous year. Upon her death, many of her students of pottery took over and continued the art at the Abuja Pottery Training Center. Which later changed to the Ladi Kwali Pottery in early 1980s. The achievements of Ladi Kwali reign both locally and internationally" KWALI TO THE WORLD 🌎🌍🌎... KWALI VIBE 😊
