INVESTIGATING THE INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ONDO AND IJEBU ASO OKE DESIGN TYPES

Abstract

The traditional hand woven fabrics, Aso-Oke of Yoruba people of South Western Nigeria is a major identity of the people which cannot be underestimated, as its aesthetic values from the ancient times is core to their cultural practices. Many research studies often classify all hand woven fabrics of South Western Nigeria as Aso-Oke, which implies clothing from the hinterland, that is aso awon ara ilu oke (Ademuleya, 2014). Spectacularly, the use of Aso-Oke is now of global attraction with its attendant consequences of transcultural blends, therefore, it becomes imperative to make concise documentation of the source or origin of specific Aso-Oke design types. Hence, this study investigates the origin of the Ondo Alaari design type of Aso-Oke and highlight through comparative analysis the interrelationship between the Ondo and Ijebu Aso-Oke in terms of variances in motifs, designs, colours and textures. The study also enumerates the influence of Ondo Aso-Oke on Ijebu Aso-Oke design types and examines the consequences of the transcultural blends from these two geographical locations. Research questions were generated, while questionnaire made up of 25 items were used to elicit information from 365 respondents who were the major stakeholders such as 45 producers (weavers), 24 consumers (users), and 75 traders respectively, all these formed the research population. Results from objective one and two revealed that most respondents strongly agreed to the existence of Ondo Alaari design type of Aso-Oke before the emergence of Ijebu Alaari design types and that there are significant influence with modifications. Results from objective three and four revealed that from the contemporary times, the Ondo people developed interest in colours on Ijebu Aso-Oke, adopted and modified these for use on the Ondo Alaari design types, thereby rendering it completely different from the indigenous Ondo hand woven fabrics(Pivot study 2021). The study emphasized the importance of dress patterns to the people’s culture. The study recommends the need for documentation of specific indigenous woven fabrics for scholarly use and preservation of historical facts. The research also recommends adequate utilization of our natural resources in order to enhance continuous and consistent development of the traditional hand woven fabrics while importation of fibres for weaving should be minimized.