ADA DIKE
The way Nigeria’s foremost
artist, Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye and her family have transformed art business
in Nigeria can be likened to turning an ash to treasure.
As Nike has continued to
reposition Nigeria and indeed Africa’s rich culture in people’s minds all over
the world, her daughter and the General Manager of Nike Art Centre, Allyson Aina
Davies, recently wrote a book on Adire -tie
and dye of textile which was hitherto practiced mostly by Yoruba women in south
western Nigeria.
Titled: “Storytelling
Through Àdìrẹ”, the book, according to Davies, is a toolbox of
practical helpful tools in Àdìrẹ making and a
library of the ancestral pattern names and interpretations.
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| Chief Nike Okundaye |
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| Chief Okundaye with her daughter, Allyson Aina Davies |
“Some patterns are derived
from Àdìrẹ Ẹlẹ́kọ, a practice which is facing extinction. The
patterns were once used as communication via fabrics and documented
social, economic and environmental conditions of that time. Today, we see
these patterns on Nigerian artworks and more,” says Davies.
She emphasized that “Unfortunately, we in Nigeria don't often document history,
culture and experiences firsthand. Consequently, we see our history
through the eyes of the European. The aim of the book is to document
and preserve the pattern interpretations and making it public knowledge.
Despite subconsciously seeing ‘Adiré̩ Ẹlẹ́kọ’ patterns, everywhere, few know the
significance. The patterns are commonly found on paintings, sculptures and
around us in everyday life in Nigeria.
“‘Stroytelling
through Adiré̩’ interprets the meaning of the patterns, which were
traditionally worn as a form of communication and to uplift moods. The patterns
documented social, environmental and economic conditions of that time.
The book also contains practical tools for Adiré̩ making, the process of extracting natural indigo
dye and Nigerian proverbs,” she explained.
She revealed that all Àdìrẹ patterns are significant and carry a message. She
also interpreted some designs: “Some designs are ‘Ónfà Alángbá Bẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ̀tẹ̀’
(Dragging fat Lizard). The big stomach is a symbol of wealth. Feed your family
to be big and healthy like the fat lizard. This book not only features patterns
found on traditional Àdìrẹ, it also shows variations and modern adaptations of
the patterns popularly found on Nigerian artworks.
“All lizards lie on their bellies, but nobody knows which of them
suffers stomach ache.”
The price of the book
which is scheduled to be unveiled soon is ₦5,000.
Additionally, there are
proverbs in the book, such as: “It is empty vessels that are noisy, those
filled with water are not”
“The book is filled with
Nigerian proverbs, history and culture. The pattern names
are written in both English & our sophisticated language, Yorùbá.
Moyo Okediji, MFA, Ph.D., Professor of Art and Art History, contributed a
beautiful essay for the foreword on the deep rooted history of Àdìrẹ-
"In aesthetic terms,
the joy of Àdìrẹ is equally about the invisible as the visible."
This book is a toolbox of
practical helpful tools in practicing Adiré̩, and
a library of the ancestral pattern names and interpretations.
Aina,
a Master’s Degree student of the University of Surrey also said that: “Àdirẹ Oníkọ̀ refers to the tied resist
method. This is commonly known as 'tie-dye'/'tie and dye'. Today, tie-dye is a
fun, quick and easy with a beautiful and unique outcome.”
Similarly, Chief Okundaye
has called on the governments to put money in the Ministry of
Tourism, Culture and National Orientation “so that we can have street
art and heritage sites like Adire site in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Indigo site in
Osogbo, Osun State and bigger dye pits in Kano,” she appealed.
Below
are some pictures that tell stories about Adire.
Caption
A
Adire Patterns are so
expressive and mood uplifting. Every pattern is significant and has a meaning.
The painting in the background is filled with patterns and painted by Niké of
Nike Art Centre.
Caption B
Famous Photographer
Kelechi Amadi Obi is wearing an Adiré̩ Oníkọ̀ọ́ Tshirt. Adiré̩ Oníkọ̀ọ́ refers to the tied resist method of creating Adiré̩ from tying raffia around fabric.
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