Traditional Fabrics In Nigeria: Names, History And Use. In their most exquisite forms, Nigerian traditional dresses are nothing to pass by or ignore. These are vanishing textiles from Kenya (silk gown trimmed with Kenyan Flamingo feathers), Congo, Madagascar, Ghana & Ethiopia. Kente cloth patterns are characterized by a bright mix of colors and geometric shapes, interwoven in contrasting bands or blocks. Lace fabrics are one of the most used fabrics in Nigeria. Indigo cotton fabric has its origins in East Asia. The Gele is a traditional head wrap that is worn by women throughout Nigeria. Ukara fabric can be easily recognized thanks to the pattern, which features symbols from the Nsibidi alphabet. One quite popular and very characteristic element found in the kaasa blankets is the brick-red band at both ends, called daakul. Nigeria is a country known for its numerous diverse cultures. This was known as Adire Eleko. Satin weave. For example, black has the power to intensify the spiritual energy, blue means peace, love and harmony; silver represents joy and serenity and gray, healing rituals associated with ash. 88 Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria. POP Designs For Living Room In Nigeria That Will Make Your Guests Jealous, Stylish Ankara Top And Trouser Combinations You Should Try, Lace Blouse And Wrapper Styles You Will Love, How To Start A Fish Hatchery Business In Nigeria, The Forbes Top 10 Black Billionaires In The World, How To Know If Someone Blocked You On WhatsApp, Popular Nigerian Meals That Are Harmful To Your Health, Average Salary In Nigeria! Traditional indigo-colored Aso oke often required the hand-spun thread to be dyed up to fourteen times to achieve the deep blues needed. Agbada is a robe that is wide-sleeved worn by North & Western African men. From the vibrant and intricate designs of Ankara fabric to the luxurious and elegant feel of Mikado, traditional textiles are a crucial part of the country's cultural heritage. Portable tripod looms used by Mande weavers are today unique to Sierra Leone and Liberia. Ankara Fabric (African Wax Prints) African wax prints also known as ankara is a very beautiful fabric type in Nigeria. Everything Ankara 1.2.1 Ankara Short Gowns 1.2.2 Ankara Long Dresses 1.2.3 Ankara Suits 1.2.4 Ankara Jumpsuits Aso oke. Nigerian and African traditional clothing consists of fabrics like Ankara, Kente, Adire, and Aso-Oke. Nigeria is home to a wide variety of traditional fabrics, each with its unique history, significance, and cultural significance. The Yoruba people in Nigeria are a nation with a unique set of traditions, and its not surprising that they have their own historically significant fabric called Aso Oke. 15 Different Types of Fabric and How to Use Them 1. Ase Oke often feature complicated lace-like patterns which were incorporated into weaves when imported lace was not available from England during World War II. It is traditionally woven for Ashanti royalty who wear it for ceremonial occasions e.g. Beads have become the most durable visual symbols of leadership, power, and success. The earliest pieces of this type were probably simple tied designs on cotton cloth hand spun and woven locally (rather like those still produced in Mali), but in the early decades of the 20th century new access to large quantities of imported shirting material via the spread of European textile merchants in Abeokuta and other Yoruba towns caused a boom in these womens entrepreneurial and artistic efforts, making adire a major local craft in Abeokuta and Ibadan, attracting buyers from all over West Africa. Aso oke is used to sew caps, agbadas, wrappers and blouses. November 1, 2021. . 3. In the photo, it is worn by an African Heritage dancer with Cameroon elephant headdress. Ankara fabric When it comes to traditional fabrics in Nigeria, it's safe to say that Ankara is the best-known one, as today it's worn around the world by people who love African print fabric. Shop lace clothing for every taste and budget on Jiji. Since the early twentieth century, metal stencils cut from the sheets of tin that lined tea chests have also been used. Nowadays, some simplified stencilled designs are still produced, but locals favour kampala. Ukara ekpe fabric is a fabric type in Nigeria that is peculiar to the southern part of Nigeria. These days Kente material is widely used in Nigerian fashion. These days, barkcloth is a thick, soft and textured fabric with a rough surface resembling that of tree bark. In Africa, there are numerous types of traditional textiles produced and used by the local tribes since the beginning of time. [3], In Nigeria Veiling, it is a practice that consists of wearing a cloth or piece of garment that covers areas of the body from head to toe. This is because the cloth is first soaked in a dye made from bark and leaves, and then the design is painted on with a thick mud containing iron acetate collected from the bottom of lakes. Every form of black cultural expression has its roots in Africa, and many blacks have embraced their ancestry through the wearing of West African fabrics. Nigeria is divided roughly in half between Muslims, who live mostly in the north, and Christians, who live mostly in the south. Some of the traditional dresses in Nigeria root back to ancients tribes who lived here centuries ago, others were formed by the influence of British, Portuguese and French colonizers (19-20th . Produced in Kenya and other East African regions, kitenge is often worn by women. I am also in love with all things tech and always keep my finger on the pulse of new smartphone and gadget releases. This fabric is also highly recognizable thanks to the use of just one pattern in all Anger clothing: the black and white stripes. Lace. The official language of Nigeria is English, chosen to facilitate linguistic unity at the national level. The Isiagu, also called Chieftaincy, is a pullover shirt similar to the dashiki that is worn by many African people groups, including the Igbo people. In four years, she raised the value of her business to a net-worth of 10,000 (Nigerian). A greater variety in the patterns and functions exist in Ewe kente, and the symbolism of the patterns often has more to do with daily life than with social standing or wealth. As the result of contact with European colonial powers on theGold Coast(present-day Ghana), theFante people, who inhabit the coastal region, developed a complex tradition of visual artincluding flag banners with figurative scenes. Adinkira cloths feature strips of brilliant multicolour hand embroidery along all seams. Alabere: Stitching raffia onto the fabric in a pattern . 4. Edo men are mostly seen with their suits and traditionally gowns paired with coral beads. Kuba cloth by Bakuba, CongoOriginal Source: African Heritage House. Woven by the Yoruba people in Nigeria, aso oke is a hand-loomed cloth. The decorative pattern depends on the region and the imagination of the embroiderer. Ankara is basically an African wax print which is the most common material for clothing in the country. Textiles are more than just the fabric thatmake up Africanclothes. [13], Nigerian edition of the popular magazine Drum (first published in South Africa), which was launched in Lagos in 1958. Once you have your native fabric, there are many styles that you can choose for it which includes, gowns, skirt and blouses, blouse and wrapper, Agbada, Jumpsuits, Trousers and Shirts. This is a multi-colored wax cloth, sometimes known as adire by a few. The cloth is known by many names, including Ankara cloth, kitenge, chitenge and wax hollondais. The Tiv people believe that evil and good in every human have equal parts. The fabric can also be twisted and tied on itself or folded into stripes. . The finest stitch resist indigo dyed materials are the Saint Louis textiles of Senegal. The timeless woven designs of Aso-Oke epitomizes pomp. Cotton fibers from the kapok tree has been extensively used by the Dagomba to produce long strips of fibre to make the Ghanaian smock. 9. Barney Hassan (seated), wears a hand printed fabric based on Nigerian Adire cloth. The fabric is made of woven cotton fabric and used mainly in home furnishings such as curtains, slipcovers and drapery. Special techniques were used to make the threads colorfast so that they would not damage the lighter colored threads or embroidery when washed. The blankets are usually white, with dark geometrical motifs. Although Ankara didn't originate in Nigeria, it is adored by women and men in every Nigerian region. . ", "Burkina Faso: le retour en force du " faso dan fani ", "An introduction to the history and culture of the Ewe peoples - Right for Education", "Collections | National Museum of African Art", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=African_textiles&oldid=1134907187. Raphia fiber from dried stripped leaves of raphia palm was commonly used in West Africa and Central Africa since it is widely available in countries with grasslands like Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria. The different Types of traditional fabrics are listed below: 1. It originated in Maliwiththe Fulani people. No, they do not. Bark cloth: Bark cloth has ceremonial and ritual importance for the Baganda in Uganda as well as in Cameroon and the Congo. African Heritage models wearing Adinkira cloth. Both styles of Adire can be found today. They are now on display in the African Heritage House at Athi Plains near Nairobi. The first flags were made out of raffia cloth, but nowadays, most flags are made of appliqued trade cloth. African wax prints, Dutch wax prints or Ankara, are omnipresent and common materials for clothing in Africa, especially West Africa. 5. Some designs resemble patchwork or applique. The fabric can also be twisted and tied on itself or folded into stripes. Sanyan A brown and usually light brown aso oke. There are also plenty of shoes, handbags, and accessories incorporating the traditional Ankara material. Many ethnic cultures have a specific style that is sacred to their society and tribes. Ankara is mostly used as asoebi for traditional weddings and burials in Nigeria. There are 13 known varieties of locally grown silk. In our world today, fabrics are used to make beautiful clothes for adults and children. Djerma Cloth and Hausa Cloth (Niger, Nigeria) Djerma Cloth and Hausa Cloth are made from four to eight inch wide strips. My name is Inna. Okene Cloth by Ebira women, NigeriaOriginal Source: African Heritage House. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Their colors, patterns, and material often tell stories about Africanculture and history. This fabric is made of silk and cotton and features intricate patterns with stripes and other geometric figures. The Gele is typically made from a brightly-colored fabric, and is decorated with sequins, beads, and other embellishments. After learning about fashion design, she returned home to Nigeria and set up a shop at the Federal Palace Hotel. 'stooling' or kingship. This weakens the fibers and creates holes. Want to use blinds and shades for privacy and lighting control inside your house? Models wearing Kente clothAmerican models show African Heritage designs using hand woven Kente cloth from Ghana. Kente fabric. 6. Yolanda Masinde, Miss Kenya 2000, wearing a coat and gown of Lamba Mena from Madagascar, at African Heritage House. "Satin is a soft, lustrous fabric with a smooth finish. Founder of The African Heritage House, Alan Donovan, renowned for his interest in collecting and archiving African treasures, took it upon himself to collect these pieces of cloth from different parts of the continent. List of the Types of Fabrics in the Nigerian Markets Ankara. The Gele can be worn in a variety of styles, depending on the occasion and the woman's preferences. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It flatters every frame and body type with its . Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of . Much of the history conveyed had more to do with how others impacted the African people, rather than about the African people themselves. ASO - OKE . This fabric tells its own tale as a dynamic Yoruba woven textile. They can be sewn into numerous styles and designs. Textile Heritage by NigerAfrican Heritage House. Their most exquisite forms, Nigerian traditional dresses are nothing to pass by or ignore they can be into... In the Nigerian Markets Ankara women and men in every Nigerian region, Nigerian traditional dresses are to! She returned home to a wide variety of styles, depending on the region and imagination... Nigerian Markets Ankara, chosen to facilitate linguistic unity at the Federal Palace Hotel is. Gadget releases women and men in every human have equal parts, stencils! 1.2.2 Ankara Long dresses 1.2.3 Ankara Suits 1.2.4 Ankara Jumpsuits aso oke is used to make the Ghanaian.... 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