Aso-oke (Hand Woven Textiles) of Southwestern Nigeria A Compact Examination of a Resilient Artifact

Abstract

Aso-oke is a peculiar artifact among the Yoruba people. Old and emerging dynamics within the Yoruba world systems and the nation at large are however reconfiguring the process, nature and existence of aso-oke. This paper undertakes a comprehensive, but compact, study of the factors responsible for the reconfigurations: namely, colonial influences, contemporary political and economic policies, demographic compositions and global influences on indigenous value construct. Through qualitative research design, this paper interrogates the vital issues surrounding aso-oke and concludes that though the artifact has witnessed some changes since the colonial era and is still changing under contemporary influences, it however subsists in its essence and the definition of the Yorubas and if properly annexed could be a viable tool in addressing some developmental challenges of the nation especially in terms of employment generation, industrial development, poverty eradication, elderly support, youth empowerment, and national identity protection in the global era.