A Nigerian Tapestry of Tradition

Nestled in the heart of Osogbo, Nigeria, an artistry spanning nine generations unfolds. Kamoru Kayode Agbelekale, a master weaver, shares the enchanting tale of aso oke—a handwoven fabric where each thread carries the weight of the Yoruba heritage.

The loom becomes a vessel for the stories embedded in the cotton. Kamoru Kayode Agbelekale, a ninth-generation weaver, weaves the aso oke fabric, a cultural touchstone for the Yoruba people.

Aso oke, with its three distinctive types—etu, sanyan, and alaari—unfurls like a visual poem. Sanyan is undyed wild silk, typically tan or brown, alaari is a deep red or magenta, and etu is indigo with light blue stripes, said to invoke the image of a guinea fowl. Beyond its ceremonial use, aso oke is a beacon of dignity and pride, encapsulated in the Yoruba saying, “Aso la nki, ki a to ki eniyan”—This means “We greet Aso (clothes) before we greet its wearer.”

For Kamoru weaving is more than a craft; it’s a legacy that intertwines with the fabric of the community. Shares Kamoru, “It is an iconic visual representation of the history, philosophy, occupation, social values, religious beliefs and spirituality of the ancient people of the Yoruba tribe in Southwest Nigeria. The uniqueness of aso oke fabric cannot be overemphasized, likewise its usage is beyond what many people may know of the historical fabric was also used for social, occupational and religious purposes.”