history of aso-ebi in african fashion
DESCRIPTION
Everybody loves Aso-ebi attire. It is a cultural tradition that has endured despite modernization, among the Yoruba ethnic group in Nigeria. It originally refers to a uniform dress worn by family members during social events in Nigeria.TRANSCRIPT
History of Aso-ebi In African Fashion
African textiles draw their
inspiration from the rich
African cultural heritage
which came to America
along with slave trade.
Ancient African clothing
was made from tree
bark and animal hides
or furs. Genuine
African textiles are
strictly traditional,
following typical African
motifs and earthy
colors.
THE YORUBA PEOPLE
For long time, the Yoruba have been the urban people and they live in large towns in Nigeria. Each town has a market and supports craft associations including the weavers. For instance, the Oje market near the Yoruba city of Ibadan is famous for its Aso-ebi clothes and it attracts cloth traders from all over West Africa.
Most scholars of Yoruba hand woven textiles have often concluded that the women wove merely for domestic purposes while their male counterparts wove as professionals.
Consequently, the cloth produced by women went far beyond satisfying domestic needs. They still dictate and influence fashion trends and at the same time ensure that the traditional hand woven cloth is always a part of the Yoruba fashion.
The Yoruba women have for along time been very active in promoting the use and sale of the hand woven textile forms they produce. Thus This in itself has its foundation in the popularised use Aso-ebi.
Due to the new generations and changes of ideas, meanings
and rules, the social tradition is also affected. It is not fixed
and it is changing in any society. Some cultural practices are
declining and some existing. Others are experiencing more
and more popularity and acceptance with more social
modifications and transformations, but clothing itself has
remained an integral part of everyday life and it has evolved
through several processes.
For instance, it was originally designed to cover nudity
or for good looking, but it is currently an instrument
displaying the cultural identity and solidarity amongst families
and friends. Therefore through clothing, individuals establish
their sense of self as well as their place in society.
History of Aso-ebi In African Fashion
Aso-ebi is a cultural
tradition that has endured
despite modernization from
the Yoruba ethnic group in
Nigeria.
It is the oldest and most
valuable type of Africa
attire, meaning “uniformed
solidarity dress.”
It is one of the cultural
traditions that has forced
its way into the present
world, despite the
economical and political
development.
History of Aso-ebi In African Fashion
According to
research, Aso-ebi is
a traditional value
that has existed
despite the presence
of economic and
political
development. It is
believed that it is one
of the economic
values that will
continue to exert an
independent
influence on any the
cultural changes
caused by economic
development.
The tradition of aso-ebi serves a number of functions.
•The first and major one being that it ensures continuity in
relation to the use and production of other clothing known
as aso-oke. In between the celebrant, the supplier and
the weaver, new and innovative designs are developed.
•Secondly, it helps visitors to identify the celebrant’s
family members or those who belong to the same social
or religious group with the celebrant. This tradition totally
revolves around women, except for the weavers who may
be men. But this has helped to keep the tradition of aso-
ebi and Aso-oke alive.
•Thirdly, through the tradition of aso-ebi, The Yoruba and
the rest of the African countries now use more of this
clothing.
Aso ebi was a uniform dress worn by family members during
social events in Nigeria. But it is gradually becoming an integral
part of a national culture and it is currently enjoying appreciable
transformations in term of its contents and scope due to the
dynamic nature of culture.
History of Aso-ebi In African Fashion
The Aso-ebi
There are a lot of aso-ebi wearers in
different countries of Africa. It is among the
cultural tradition that has endured
regardless with the development of both
economical and political condition across
Africa. Its diverse extent is beyond our
imagination. There are several wearers
during special occasions and ceremonies,
ranging from family members to neighbors,
from former schoolmates to present, from
former colleagues at work to current
colleagues at work and even the people
who have never met the celebrant. There
is no other item in the culture of Nigeria
that is as much important as the subject of
Aso-ebi.
The most important reason for these Aso-ebi fabrics
is, it is believed that it is the only way people use to
portray their support and solidarity.
Purchasing a selected Aso-ebi fabric and attending
the occasion in the Aso-ebi attire is the only way
through which they can assure a celebrant an
unflinching support.
It gives a sense of belonging during the occasion
where it is used.
It is also worn to welcome dignitaries, government
officials.
It can also help people to have the latest fabrics and
update their wardrobes.
Today, new innovations in terms of style,
texture and colour can be seen in Aso-ebi
attires. They are the best African attire one
should look for.
Most customers around the world love Them for
general and official functions. Others love
African attire for their elaborate weddings with
exquisite African clothing designs for bridal
parties.
Aso-ebi features prominently at African
Weddings, not just in Africa but across various
African communities around the world.
Weddings are usually great social events and
are a major forum for displaying them and other
great clothing designs and accessories.
There are also great African jewelry that adorn
African wear. African jewelry has vast origins,
with the jewelry originating from most parts of
Africa. Fashion may also vary from the East to
the West, north and south.
The intersections of
aso-ebi, photography
and popular media
consumption - in the
form of popular
magazines - in most
places of Africa.
It is found out that that aso ebi dressing, and fashion are
taken more serious in Africa, more especially “Nigeria”.
Whenever there is a wedding or a party, all her friends and
family use Aso-ebi to show that they are with both the gloom
and the bride.
In Nigeria, there is no
other item, that
constitute as much
importance as the
subject of Aso-ebi, it its
social setting.
It is part of African fabrics which are are iconic and truly eye-
catching and you can find these fabrics at African cloth stores
or buy them online at various shopping sites. You can visit
Aso-ebi if you are looking suitable dresses designed to suit
your function.
Conclusion
Aso-ebi is one of the African attire has come a long
way. It is among the oldest and most valuable type of
Africa attire, meaning “uniformed solidarity dress.”
It is designed to suit various occasions, not just Africa but
around the world. Weddings are the major events to use
Aso-ebi but they can also be used in any function, either
general or official.
How exciting is it to have friends and relatives dressed in
uniformed fabrics! it portrays unity, support and oneness
Prepared By :