In my years of organizing aso ebi for families, clients usually have a lot of questions and that inspired me to write this article. In this article I answered some common questions people ask about aso ebi. You can use the table of contents to jump to the answer you want to read.
In this article
- What is "aso ebi"?
- How is "aso ebi" pronounced?
- What is the significance of "aso ebi" in Nigerian culture?
- How is "aso ebi" related to traditional Nigerian weddings?
- What is the purpose of wearing "aso ebi" at a wedding?
- How do people choose the fabric and design for "aso ebi"?
- What are some popular fabrics used for "aso ebi" in Nigeria?
- Is it common for guests to wear "aso ebi" at other events besides weddings?
- How do guests coordinate their "aso ebi" outfits?
- Are there specific colours or patterns associated with "aso ebi"?
- Can men also participate in "aso ebi" tradition?
- What is the role of the "aso ebi" coordinator?
- How do guests obtain the chosen "aso ebi" fabric?
- Is it mandatory for all guests to wear "aso ebi" at a wedding?
- Are there any specific etiquette rules for wearing "aso ebi"?
- What happens if someone doesn't wear the designated "aso ebi"?
- Can guests customize their "aso ebi" outfits?
- Is "aso ebi" tradition limited to Nigeria or other countries as well?
- How has "aso ebi" evolved over time?
What is "aso ebi"?
Aso Ebi is a Yoruba word that means “Family Cloth”. The word family does not necessarily mean people who are born into your biological family. The broad list includes friends, relatives, acquaintances, neighbours and of course family.
How is "aso ebi" pronounced?
The word “aso ebi” is pronounced as “Asho Hebi”.
What is the significance of "aso ebi" in Nigerian culture?
Aso ebi is very significant in the Nigerian culture; it is a
show of solidarity and support shown to the host of an event. Wearing aso ebi
to an occasion shows that you love the host of the party or event and you are
with them all the way.
How is "aso ebi" related to traditional Nigerian weddings?
In traditional Nigerian wedding aso ebi is a very common and
important outfit. Aso ebi is more common in Nigerian weddings than any other
Nigerian party or events. IN a traditional Nigerian wedding the aso ebi is
usually in different categories.
What is the purpose of wearing "aso ebi" at a wedding?
Anytime you wear or buy aso ebi for a wedding then you are
saying “I love you”, “I support you”, “May your union be blessed” and every
other word that count as good wishes for a couple on their big day.
How do people choose the fabric and design for "aso ebi"?
When it comes to how people choose fabric and design for aso
ebi, there are a lot of factors involved and I will try to list as many as I
can.
1.
Personal Preferences: Everyone has a preference
which comes to play in whatever decisions they make. Many times the host of an
event chooses aso ebi based on personal preferences like design, fabric, etc.
2.
Financial Status: the financial status of the
host determines to a large extent the kind of fabric and the design of the
fabric chosen for as aso ebi. Although I noticed some clients choose different
categories of fabric with different prices for equity.
3.
Access to market: Aso ebi choices can sometimes
be based on access to market. People who live far away or who do not have time
to go to the market for different designs of aso ebi often settle for whatever
they can get. I started my online store in 2020 to combat that challenge in
order to make it easier for host to find their preferred aso ebi choice from
the comfort of their homes.
4.
Family and friends influence: Some families are
the ones who choose aso ebi of the day. I have seen cases where family members
choose the fabric they want to wear for an event themselves.
These are some of the factors I can think of for now, you can add yours in the comment section and I promise to update the list as more factors unfold. If you want me to source for your aso ebi, you can contact me here.
What are some popular fabrics used for "aso ebi" in Nigeria?
There are numerous fabrics used as aso ebi wear. Some of
these depend on the occasion and the calibre of people attending the
event. Some popular aso ebi fabrics
include:
1.
Ankara: Ankara fabric is the most popular aso
ebi fabric you in Nigerian events. Ankara is a preferred choice because of its
beautiful designs and uniqueness. Another reason it is preferred is because it
is of different quality and affordability.
2.
Lace Fabric: Lace fabrics are also very popular
aso ebi outfit. These includes all categories of African Lace; velvet lace,
cord lace, sequence lace, Chantilly lace, Ankara sequence lace, etc.
3.
Adire: Adire is becoming increasingly popular
for aso ebi outfits. It is a good choice for people who want something similar
to Ankara fabric.
4.
Cashmere or Senator Fabric: Cashmere or senator
is commonly worn by men in West Africa. In Nigeria, it is a preferred choice
for aso ebi outfit for men.
5. Atiku Fabric: Atiku fabric is also commonly worn by men for aso ebi outfit. Women can wear Atiku fabric also but it is not common as an aso ebi wear.
6. Indian George: Indian George is a beautiful fabric with intricate designs commonly worn by the South Eastern and some part of the South South region of Nigeria.
Is it common for guests to wear "aso ebi" at other events besides weddings?
Yes, it is common to wear aso ebi for other occasion other
than weddings. I know we Yorubas wear aso ebi for burials, festivals, naming,
house warming and even birthdays! It all just depends on the host’s preferences
and sometimes family.
How do guests coordinate their "aso ebi" outfits?
The main person who coordinates aso ebi is the host of the
event. The guest only has to choose a beautiful Ankara, lace, Adire, George or
cashmere style that suits their style. The only exception I now where guest
have to coordinate their aso ebi outfit is when the host is not interested in
choosing aso ebi fabric for the event. Sometimes the guest can decide to choose
an outfit they want to wear, pay for it among themselves and aso ebi is ready.
Are there specific colours or patterns associated with "aso ebi"?
Specific colours and patterns for aso ebi depend on the
organiser or host of the event and this is usually determined by the colour of
the day. If the colour of the day for the event is blue and gold, it is likely that
the aso ebi will have one or both colours.
Can men also participate in "aso ebi" tradition?
Men also participate in aso ebi too. They are members of a
family or community therefore they are included in the aso ebi circle. Many
clients choose aso ebi that is unisex so that the men can look handsome in
their aso ebi outfit.
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What is the role of the "aso ebi" coordinator?
The role of the aso ebi coordinator is to ensure the aso ebi fabric gets to as many people as possible. There is a lot of time and energy needed to ensure that the aso ebi gets to everyone.
How do guests obtain the chosen "aso ebi" fabric?
Guests get their aso ebi from the host or the aso ebi coordinator who is in charge of the aso ebi.
Is it mandatory for all guests to wear "aso ebi" at a wedding?
No, it is not mandatory for all guests to wear aso ebi at a
wedding. I have not attended a wedding where the entire guest wore aso ebi, it
is unlikely.
Are there any specific etiquette rules for wearing "aso ebi"?
This question depends largely on the purpose of the Aso ebi,
and what do I mean?
The occasion for
which the aso ebi was selected determines the how it will be worn or used. If
the aso ebi was for a traditional occasion or festival, there may be certain
etiquette and rules to follow for all who wear the aso ebi.
What happens if someone doesn't wear the designated "aso ebi"?
People often decide not to buy aso ebi for different reasons
like financial implications and availability of the fabric. If someone decides
not to wear the designated aso ebi for reasons best known to them then;
1.
They may not have access to the event. Some
event organisers sell aso ebi as the ticket to access the event venue. This is
usually done to ensure everyone pays for the event; the aso ebi is usually a souvenir
in such cases. If you don’t wear aso ebi
you may not be able to enter the venue of the event.
2.
You will be allowed to access the venue but you
may not enjoy the full benefits of the event.
3.
You will be allowed to access the venue and you
are given the best hospitality.
Can guests customize their "aso ebi" outfits?
A typical aso ebi outfit is usually made from a uniform
fabric. You can customize the outfit by sewing the style you want with thee
fabric. You can combine the fabric with other fabrics to bring out your inner creativity
and style.
Is "aso ebi" tradition limited to Nigeria or other countries as well?
Aso ebi tradition is not limited to Nigeria especially for
weddings. In some other parts of West Africa, bridesmaid wears uniform attire
that is similar to what we call aso ebi in Nigeria.
How has "aso ebi" evolved over time?
Aso ebi has evolved over time as it has become a way to show love, affluence and culture. Social media has also made this culture more pronounced and it has given it the recognition that it truly deserves. Although, people have become more aware that buying aso ebi is not compulsory; it is more a sign of love and solidarity than a show of wealth and power.
In conclusion, aso ebi is a Yoruba tradition that has become
very popular in Nigeria and I hope the answers in this post have answered all
your questions. If you have more questions kindly drop them in the comment
section. Don’t forget to contact me here for all your aso ebi needs.
Please note that these questions are not ranked in any
particular order and are meant to provide answers to frequently asked questions
about "aso ebi".
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Thanks for reading: Frequently Asked Questions about Aso Ebi, Sorry, my English is bad:)