Nupe bead-makers around glass melting furnace, Bida, Nigeria

"The smallest nucleated settlement among rural societies in Niger state is a compound, known as emi in Nupe. A number of compounds make up a ward known as efu in Nupe, while a number of wards make up a village, known as tunga in Nupe. Each compound also contains an entrance hall, known to be used as a meeting place, for recreation, to settle dispute and as a guest room, while the larger open space within the compound are used for carrying out activities such as pottery making, wood carving, basket making, ..." [Aiyedun K. and Oyerinde S.,1998: Traditional Architecture among rural Communities in Niger State: An Ethnoarcheological Study.]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.