Ceramic Traditions of the Jukun People of Taraba State: Documentation and Analysis

The Jukun people of Taraba State in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone possess a ceramic tradition of considerable antiquity and artistic distinction, yet systematic documentation and scholarly analysis of their pottery forms, techniques, and symbolic systems remains limited. This study documents and analyses the ceramic traditions of Jukun communities in Wukari and Ibi local government areas of Taraba State, focusing on production techniques, vessel typology, surface decoration, firing practices, and the social and ritual contexts in which ceramics are used. Primary data are gathered through ethnographic fieldwork combining structured observation of production sites with semi-structured interviews conducted with 20 senior potters, 12 apprentices, and 8 cultural custodians. Photographic and three-dimensional documentation supplements the written record. The theoretical framework draws on ceramic studies, material culture anthropology, and the heritage documentation literature. The study situates the Jukun ceramic tradition within the broader ceramic heritage of the North East zone, examining connections with and distinctions from neighbouring Tiv and Hausa ceramic traditions. A key analytical concern is the extent to which the Jukun tradition has maintained its distinctiveness under the influence of mass-produced ceramic goods and the social disruptions experienced by Taraba State in recent decades. Findings are intended for the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, the Taraba State Ministry of Culture, academic researchers in Nigerian ceramics, and cultural heritage institutions committed to North East heritage documentation. Keywords: Jukun ceramics, Taraba State, craft documentation, North East Nigeria, pottery tradition