Aso Oke (Yoruba: _Aṣọ òkè_) means “top cloth” or “cloth from the hinterland”. It’s a hand-woven prestige fabric from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.
Here’s the breakdown:
What it is
- Hand-woven on narrow strip looms, usually by men.
- Traditionally made from cotton, silk, and sometimes metallic threads like Lurex. Modern versions use synthetic fibers too.
- Woven in strips about 7 inches wide, then sewn together to make larger garments.
Main types
There are 3 classic types:
1. Sanyan: Tan/beige, made from raw silk and cotton. Smooth texture.
2.Alaari: Deep magenta/purple, made from silk dyed with crimson.
3.Etu:
There are 2 main techniques: carryover njawu and openwork eleya.