Where is soap stone carving practised in Nigeria?

Explanation

Esie in Kwara State has Africa’s largest stone sculpture collection. Ancient soapstone figures were carved there centuries ago. Over 800 carved figures remain.

Benin and Ife are known for bronze work. Igbo-ukwu had bronze and copper artifacts. Esie specializes in soapstone carving.

The Esie figures show people and animals. Nobody knows who carved them or why. They remain an archaeological mystery.