Oluwayemisi, E. O. (2018). Cultural affinity of ‘Aso-oke’ among the Yoruba of Nigeria

Culture is an all-embracing phenomenon, encompassing knowledge, beliefs, arts and other capabilities which are acquired by man as a member of a society. Culture integrates and binds every members of the society together through shared ideas and standards. More importantly, it must be made visible and reflected through food, occupation, clothing including other seemingly unnoticed aspects of arts and culture. This may include fabric choice, motif and colour. Textile constitutes an area which reflects the culture of a people who settle in a particular location and have their cultural characteristic features that differentiate them from others around. Hence, this study investigates the cultural affinity of Aso-Oke among the Yoruba of Nigeria. The study revealed that Aso-oke is important to Nigeria’s history and culture. It also serve as a means of job creation and economic empowerment while its production bring about several other tertiary industries like marketing and fashion. It recommends that the school curriculums of textiles oriented educational institutions must be redesignedto accommodate the study of indigenous art and culture including Aso-oke weaving tradition so that the nation can develop materially and culturally.