Women, Adire, and global renaissance

For centuries, women have been at the heart of cultural preservation and artistic expression. As the world celebrates International Women’s Month, it is impossible to ignore the remarkable role women have played in sustaining and elevating traditional crafts.

One such craft is the Adire, an intricate indigo-dyed fabric of the Yoruba people in Nigeria that has grown from a local tradition into a globally recognised art form; thanks to the resilience, skill, and innovation of the women who create it.

Adire, which means ‘tie and dye’ in Yoruba, is a traditional Nigerian textile art form, that is popular among Southwest people of Nigeria.

Traditionally, Yoruba women, particularly, in Abeokuta and Ibadan, have been custodians of this dyeing technique, passing the knowledge from mothers to daughters for centuries.

Using cassava paste or wax to create elaborate patterns before submerging the fabric in natural indigo dye, these artisans craft intricate designs that communicate proverbs, cultural symbols and historical events.

The story behind this was properly documented in the recently selected documentary for the prestigious Pan African Film Festival, titled, ‘The Evolution of Adire, by renowned filmmaker, Babatunde ‘Director Kay’ Kolawole.

Noting that the heart of this enduring craft is women — women who, despite economic and societal challenges, continue to shape its evolution. Among them is one of the most renowned figures in African textile artistry, Dr. Nike Okundaye-Davis, a woman whose life’s work has brought global recognition to Adire.

As a fifth-generation Adire maker and a global ambassador for Nigerian textiles, Okundaye-Davis provides an in-depth narrative on the journey of Adire, from its roots to its modern-day evolution in the documentary.

Her establishment of the “Nike Art Gallery—one of the largest art galleries in West Africa — has provided a platform for thousands of women to showcase their skills, gain financial independence, and sustain cultural heritage.

Beyond Nigeria, she has held workshops in Europe, North America, and Asia, introducing the world to the depth and artistry of Adire.

The fabric has gained international acclaim and embraced by luxury fashion brands, cultural institutions, and global designers. International designers have incorporated Adire motifs into high fashion, while African-American artists and cultural figures wear the fabric as a statement of heritage and pride.

The role of women like Okundaye-Davis and countless others who ensure that African artistry remains timeless is being written and told.