Article Details

Mat-making, one of the oldest and most enduring forms of traditional household craftsmanship—akin to the use of calabashes and earthenware—holds both utilitarian and cultural significance in many African communities. In Uturu, this artisanal practice, primarily undertaken by women, serves not only as a means of livelihood but also as a channel for cultural expression and intergenerational continuity. This study explores the socio-economic empowerment of women through mat-making in Uturu, adopting a feminist narrative research approach to foreground women's voices and lived experiences. The findings demonstrate that mat-making provides a sustainable income stream, enabling women to make meaningful contributions to both household welfare and community development. Beyond economic gains, the craft reinforces a sense of cultural identity and social cohesion among women. Anchored in feminist political economy, the paper argues that traditional crafts, such as mat-making, are not merely economic activities but also forms of resistance and agency in patriarchal settings. It concludes by recommending policy support and institutional investment in indigenous crafts as pathways to gender-inclusive and culturally rooted sustainable development.

Mat-making, Craft, Uturu women, Cultural Identity,