THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ASO-OKE IN OJUDE-OBA FESTIVAL OF THE IJEBU PEOPLE IN NIGERIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study explores the cultural significance of Aso-Oke, a traditional Yoruba handwoven textile, in the context of the Ojude-Oba Festival of the Ijebu people in Nigeria. The festival, celebrated annually in Ijebu-Ode, serves as a platform for cultural expression, identity affirmation, and intergenerational unity.
Through ethnographic observation, interviews with community members, and analysis of festival performances, the research investigates the symbolic roles played by Aso-Oke in the aesthetics, structure, and meaning of the festival. The findings reveal that Aso-Oke transcends its utilitarian function as clothing to become a potent vehicle for social commentary, identity construction, and cultural continuity.
The study also highlights how modernization, fashion innovation, and commercial influences are reshaping the cultural values traditionally associated with the fabric. Chapter Four presents a summary of the research findings, including the continued relevance of Aso-Oke, its symbolic richness, and the festival’s contribution to both cultural preservation and economic empowerment.
The chapter concludes with recommendations for sustaining this indigenous practice in a rapidly changing world. Ultimately, this research contributes to ongoing discussions about the preservation of indigenous arts and the evolving role of costume in African festival performance.
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