ABSTRACT

The project “forbidden treasure” is a ceramic flower pot that has been designed from a natural sea shell with its rich and shining look. It has its own natural attraction which is called cewrie.

Thus, in the cause of this project report the interest has been waved down to the production method, their function and valve, this project report is sub-divided into five chapters and each chapter is concern with a specific subject matter. Furthermore, chapter one deals with the introduction of the project, chapter two is the literature review; chapter three speaks on the practical works showing the stages of productions; chapter four is the project analysis.

Lastly is chapter five which focuses on the conclusion of what has been done all day long during the working and to the finishing of the project work.

CHAPTER ONE
1.1    INTRODUCTION
The project: “forbidden Treasure” (use of Cowries in Nigeria) is a concept from one of the sea most treasured creatures called Cowries. It was discovered so many years ago. It was so challenging and documented, some liked it and they treasured it, while some don’t like it due to the African traditional uses and rituals which it is use for.
The designed flower pot which was made of clay was being designed form cowrie and can be seen in same part of the world today. The flower pot serves for so many uses like: Religious rituals, Traditional occasion; interior décor. It serves other purpose apart from designing of homes, and Hotels etc.
Thus, as earlier stated the Cowrie motif unique because of the extraordinary beauty it add to the flower pot.

1.2    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The aim of this project itself was about the uses of Cowrie in Nigeria dating back to early eighteenth century; why it was been for bidden; what makes it treasured in some parts of Nigeria in the Twenty-first century.
    Thus, the Cowries in the modern Nigeria today are been forbidden due to the emphasis placed on it and the role it plays in the African traditional religion / ritual. Hence, some sees it as unclean things and don’t even go close to it because they sees it as a forbidden treasure and tagged it for only rituals.
    Furthermore, since the introduction of Christianity into Africa, the African traditional religion has drastically dropped down due to the fact that must people see the African traditional religion as witched craft things due to things that involved in the process.
    Hence, the Cowries are been treasured I some parts of Nigeria today due to the role it plays in African traditional marriage, (Some parts of Eastern and Northern Nigeria); African traditional religions, and outfit designers (Closes, sandals, Shoes, Barrgos, Necklaces, Ear-rings etc). Cowrie are seen as African traditional Symbols and once known as currency that was widely used not only in Africa but to the world in general. Thus, they come in different varieties and species, they are called sea-shells, a member of the family Cypracidae” common to the Indian Ocean.
1.3    AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The major aim of this project report on the “forbidden treasure” was to take everybody mind back to the days of old where Cowrie are being treasured. In the old Cowrie are being used as a means of money for buying and selling (exchange of goods and services), but due to the contemporary of time, Cowrie are given little or no value, but in true African tradition setting it has a great value.
    Thus, the Cowrie has a great value in the African tradition due to the fact that it was mostly used by the traditional priest that marred the affairs of the tradition and the traditional rulers who are the custodians of the tradition. But before now Cowrie are used as money (currency). Now everybody are scared of the Cowrie, whenever or wherever Cowrie are being seen both at home, compound, offices, market places, on the road e.t.c. It only brings a suspicious look from the eyes of the beholder.
    Thus, the objective of this project report was to re-orientate the mind of the readers, not only in Nigeria but the world as a whole that Cowrie are not materials (sea-shells) that are just used for witchcraft of African tradition rituals purposes only, they are material anybody can tapped into and make use of it to his or her desires like in shoes and dress designing, necklaces, barrgos, ear-rings etc.
    Furthermore, the Cowrie can be treasured in the way one desires it, and are not made for African tradition only. They are free gift of nature and can be treasured by any one.