Exploring Oyo State & The City of Brown Roofs

Nigeria is divided into regions and then further into states and then cities and neighborhoods. Oyo state, formerly part of the Oyo empire, was established in the 1830s after the decent of the Oyo empire. This western region of the country is mostly inhabited by the Yoruba people. Oyo state is however a culturally and economically diverse place which encompasses twenty cities each with a unique landscape and charm. The dominant industries are agriculture and handicrafts like leatherwork, woodwork, dyeing.

There is a lesson to be found in each city in Oyo state. I’d like to focus on five specific cities of this vast region. Let’s start with our paternal ancestral home in Ibadan.

Ibadan is awesome! The city of brown roofs as it’s known is one of the most beautiful, culturally rich and relaxing places to be. It is an academic hub (including the world-renowned University of Ibadan), home to several major industries and some of the best food (you can’t beat the Ibadan Amala).It also has its own unique vibe.

What can we learn about cultural design from Ibadan? Indigo is one of Oyo state’s major agricultural staples. The indigo plant gives rise to indigo dye referred to as “Elu” in Yoruba. Ibadan is one of the major producers of Adire fabric, traditionally made using indigo dye. Unlike Ankara which has its origin in the Dutch textile industry, Adire is quintessentially African. More specifically, it is Nigerian to the bone!

Adire fabric originated in southwestern Nigeria and is a specialty of the Yoruba people. Adire fabric translates quite literally to Tie and Dye. The process is like other resist dyeing techniques. What makes this process so special is the use of locally sourced indigo dye and the use of intricate designs to tell a story. Adire fabric peaked in the 1920s and 1930s due to the influx of cotton fabric from European textile industrialists. This boom in business allowed for several locally owned Adire dyeing families to come to prominence in cities like Ibadan. Adire, in some form, is still made in Ibadan and other southwestern cities like Abeokuta to this day.

Adire fabric’s historical importance to Nigerian fashion cannot be overstated. Though its popularity waned in the 1930s there were several resurgences since that time. Nowadays wearing Adire fabric makes a bold statement about pride and appreciation for your ancestry. It is uniquely West African and a huge nod to the great city of Ibadan.