ABSTRACT
This thesis is historical surveys of handmade cloth embroidery in Daura Local Government, Katsina State. In doing this, literature that are relevant to the study were reviewed. Questionnaire, interview schedule and observation/ photograph were the instruments used in collecting data. In addition, descriptive, historical and survey methods were adopted in this research for the data analysis and discussion. The population sampled comprised 32 artists, 21 cloth sellers and110 consumers of embroidered cloths from Daura Local Government Area, Katsina State. From the findings, it was discovered that the art of handmade cloth embroidery was introduced to the northern part of Nigeria from some Arabian countries (Tunisia) through commercial and religious interactions. The discovered handmade cloth embroidery works were categorized into Babbar Riga (gown), Kufta (embroidered Caftan) and Hula (cap). It was also discovered that the art of handmade cloth embroidery is declining due to lack of patronage and the ever increasing use of embroidery machine. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended and suggested that government and nongovernmental organizations such as traditional rulers, wealthy individuals and other capable individuals should support the artists so that they improve the quality of their works. Lastly, the study recommends further research on other areas of handmade embroidery.