Nigerian Aso-Oke: Yoruba Prestige Textile
Olivia Hartwell·Published
Aso-Oke: Top Cloth
Aso-oke is the prestige textile of the Yoruba people in southwestern Nigeria. Hand-woven on narrow-strip looms, it is worn at weddings, chieftaincy ceremonies, and funerals of elders.
Traditional Types
- Etu: dark indigo with thin white stripes
- Sanyan: beige silk from wild moth cocoons
- Alaari: deep red with metallic accents
Modern Evolution
Contemporary aso-oke incorporates metallic threads and bold colors. The fabric has expanded beyond Yoruba culture to become a pan-Nigerian celebration textile.
