Nigerian Aso Oke Hand Loom Cloth

Aso Oke: Prestige Cloth of the Yoruba

Aso oke (literally "top cloth") is a handwoven prestige textile produced by Yoruba weavers in Nigeria. Worn at weddings, funerals, and chieftaincy ceremonies, it signals social status and cultural identity.

Materials and Weaving

Traditional aso oke uses locally spun cotton combined with imported silk or rayon. Modern versions incorporate metallic lurex threads for added luster. Weavers use a double-heddle narrow loom producing strips about 25 cm wide.

Three Classic Types

• Alaari — deep red/maroon, dyed with kola nut
• Sanyan — beige/brown, from wild silk
• Etu — dark indigo blue with thin white stripes

Modern Innovation

Contemporary weavers in Iseyin and Okuku have introduced hundreds of new patterns using modern synthetic fibers. Custom orders allow clients to choose colors and patterns for specific events.

Styling

Women wear aso oke as iro (wrapper), buba (blouse), and gele (headwrap). Men wear it as agbada (large gown), sokoto (trousers), and fila (cap). A complete set can weigh several kilograms.