The technology of Uburu salt making is a traditional process that has been passed down through generations in the community. The women of Uburu are the main producers of salt and they employ a simple but effective technique to extract salt from saline water.
The process begins with a woman securing a piece of land, known as a salt plot, which is leveled and prepared for salt making. She then sets up big earthen pots, called ofufu, in a straight line on the salt plot. These pots are supported by big stones and raised from the ground. Underneath each ofufu is an earthen conical dish called nja ugbani, which collects the filtrate from the pots.
The woman collects earth from the water-bed of the salt lake using a flat metal tool called atakpa and fills the big pots with it. The pots are left overnight to allow the water and earth to knead properly. In the morning, the small perforations at the bottom of the pots are opened to let the filtrate drain into the conical dish beneath them.
The filtrate collected in the nja ugbani is taken home for boiling to extract salt. Firewood is used to start boiling the saline water in a special big earthen pot called eju, although drums are now used in modern times. The salt maker carefully watches for salt formation in the pot/drum and gradually collects it, putting it into a small conical earthen dish called nja agba. The salt is then caked and made into desired sizes.
The final product is rock solid and comes in various sizes. It has a medicinal property and is highly valued. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Uburu salt market boomed, attracting traders from far and near. The women not only sold salt but also food and drinks to visitors, while the children supplied water and helped with transportation. The community benefited economically and socially from these interactions.
During the Nigerian civil war, the Uburu salt sustained Biafra when essential materials were blocked by federal troops. The influx of traders during this time boosted the business interests of merchants in Uburu and led to the development of the community.
Overall, the technology of Uburu salt making is a testament to the ingenuity and industriousness of the women in the community. Their traditional methods have stood the test of time and continue to be an important part of the community’s identity
About The Author
