The nature, texture and quality
of our interactions often
modulates based on how an
individual is dressed. A trip
through Balogun is an
opportunity to get familiar
with the immense diversity of
indigenous and imported
textile options, while
understanding the depth and
diversity of “African textiles”.
Similar to the embrace of Dutch
wax print (ankara), contemporary
Nigerians have embraced textiles
from Ghana, China, Switzerland
and India. Indigene fabrics like
Aso-Oke, hand woven, loomed
fabric from the Yoruba and
Akwete, handwoven fabric from
the Igbo remain popular. Kente,
borrowed from Ghana and the
Dashiki print, also a Ghanian
import is now ubiquitous
throughout Nigeria.
Yet, george and lace, imported
fabrics, have come to occupy an
outsized role in Nigerians’ sartorial
choices. It is interesting that as
Africans in the diaspora embrace
ankara, which singularly more
than any other fabric has come to
mean Africa, Nigerians are turning
to george, lace and other
imported fabrics to communicate
their familial tradition and
connection.
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