For centuries, women have been at the heart of cultural preservation and artistic expression. As the world celebrates International Women’s Month, it is impossible to ignore the remarkable role women have played in sustaining and elevating traditional crafts. One such craft is the Adire, an intricate indigo-dyed fabric of the Yoruba people in Nigeria that has grown from a local tradition into a globally recognised art form; thanks to the resilience, skill, and innovation of the women who create it.
Adire, which means ‘tie and dye’ in Yoruba, is a traditional Nigerian textile art form, that is popular among Southwest people of Nigeria. Traditionally, Yoruba women, particularly, in Abeokuta and Ibadan, have been custodians of this dyeing technique, passing the knowledge from mothers to daughters for centuries. Using cassava paste or wax to create elaborate patterns before submerging the fabric in natural indigo dye, these artisans craft intricate designs that communicate proverbs, cultural symbols and historical events.
The story behind this was properly documented in the recently selected documentary for the prestigious Pan African Film Festival, titled, ‘The Evolution of Adire, by renowned filmmaker, Babatunde ‘Director Kay’ Kolawole. Noting that the heart of this enduring craft is women — women who, despite economic and societal challenges, continue to shape its evolution. Among them is one of the most renowned figures in African textile artistry, Dr.
Nike Okun.
