Woodworking Technology: Indigenous Knowledge and Material Science of the Akoko-Yoruba

This paper provides an in-depth documentation of the indigenous woodworking technology used to produce mortars and pestles in the Akoko-Yoruba region of Nigeria. Based on fieldwork initiated in 2021 under Geeceetee International and continued through 2026 under Ahujesu Enterprise, this study examines the "Botanical Intelligence" of master carvers. This intelligence is a system of knowledge that governs tree selection based on structural integrity, food safety, and durability. The research details the manufacturing sequence, with a specific focus on the auditory methods used to calibrate vessel thickness and the ergonomic relationship between tool and user. The paper concludes that this technology is a vital component of West African material heritage currently facing endangerment due to ecological shifts and the breakdown of traditional apprenticeship systems. This dataset represents the preliminary pilot phase of a larger documentation project regarding Akoko-Yoruba material culture