|
Aso Oke is a traditional African fabric, sometimes made from woven
strips that are carefully sewn together, somewhat like a quilt, before
being cut to make the garment. The traditional Yoruba women's aso
oke outfit consists of four parts: the buba (a blouse like shirt),
a wrap skirt, the head tie, and a shawl or shoulder
sash. Aso oke come in many styles though, and some these days choose
not to cut it up for garments at all, and instead, wear it as a drape,
somewhat like the sari.
Aso Oke is often printed with symbols called Adinkra.
These are symbols that have meanings which are understood by Africans of
many regions, regardless of which language they speak.
The meaning depends on how the symbols are arranged. There is
very little authentic Aso Oke sold in the western world. It is usually
woven by men using a double heddle loom.
Click
here for MTC's info page on African clothing.
|
