By Ismail M. Kabir
In recent time, the loom, popularly known as Oguntoro in Ebira language, has disappeared from most homes in Ebira communities. But does it mean an end to the age-long clothe weaving heritage in Ebira land?
The Okene main market (ohu bariki) retains an unparalleled record of patronage when it comes to local trade of the Ita-inochi otherwise known as woven cloth. Historically, people traveled from across the country to buy the clothes from our local weavers. This gave rise to the yoruba acronym for the clothe "Aso-Oke", meaning cloth from the upper (Northern) Nigeria.
The Oguntoro (loom) was a common feature in most Ebira homes when the trade thrived locally and internationally. Today, modernization has taken over the local weaving method as simple mechanized approach now make it easier for women to weave faster and produce more for their clients.
Innovation has taken centre stage with new skills being adopted to make the clothes into shoes, bags, hand fans and more accessories in compleiance with modern fashion.
While such innovations opens more money making opportunity in the weaving business, our local weavers are loosing out of the trend. At the Okene main market, one only finds more of the weaving materials than the finished products.
The drop in local production not withstanding, some smarter women have cashed in on the evolving market to rake more profit than their predecessors. Leading among the modern weavers are the women from Upogoro who have not only improved in the designs but also refined the texture of the cloth from heavy woolen feel to a softer and lighter materials.
- From Upogoro weavers in Okene-
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| An Ebira Woman weaving cloth on the loom |
The Okene main market (ohu bariki) retains an unparalleled record of patronage when it comes to local trade of the Ita-inochi otherwise known as woven cloth. Historically, people traveled from across the country to buy the clothes from our local weavers. This gave rise to the yoruba acronym for the clothe "Aso-Oke", meaning cloth from the upper (Northern) Nigeria.
The Oguntoro (loom) was a common feature in most Ebira homes when the trade thrived locally and internationally. Today, modernization has taken over the local weaving method as simple mechanized approach now make it easier for women to weave faster and produce more for their clients.
Innovation has taken centre stage with new skills being adopted to make the clothes into shoes, bags, hand fans and more accessories in compleiance with modern fashion.
While such innovations opens more money making opportunity in the weaving business, our local weavers are loosing out of the trend. At the Okene main market, one only finds more of the weaving materials than the finished products.
The drop in local production not withstanding, some smarter women have cashed in on the evolving market to rake more profit than their predecessors. Leading among the modern weavers are the women from Upogoro who have not only improved in the designs but also refined the texture of the cloth from heavy woolen feel to a softer and lighter materials.
- From Upogoro weavers in Okene-
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