Jide Alakija’s quest to document a trend in Nigeria’s culture which is fast becoming a heritage, made him explore the creative curve of his practice in commercial photography.
Brought before his audience as an art exhibition that held at CCA Lagos, Alakija a mechanical engineer, showcased his works of choice photographs of people in aso-ebi (Family attire) at different owambe (entertaining) parties.
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| Jide Alakija |
Beyond the beauty of an outward show of solidarity among kinfolks when they share in the euphoria of aso-ebi (family attire), there are harsh realities of the politics embedded in the act if and when a family member does not partake in the show.
Samples of aso-ebi; head gears(top), and traditional tops and wrappers(below)
Though a Nigerian in the Diaspora ( lives in London), Alakija is able to, with his understanding, look at situations when tension becomes high if a family member fails to join in the trail to making a statement with aso-ebi.
He says, “As Africans, we are part of large and close-nit families. When things happen in our families we have to obey the culture, so you can now see how tension may be induced when
aso-ebi is introduced into the culture.”
aso-ebi is introduced into the culture.”
Looking at the uncomfortable part of the highly celebrated aso-ebi culture, Alakija said a family member would usually come under scrutiny should he not buy an aso-ebi for a marriage or funeral ceremony, even if he is passing through financial difficulties.
The politics behind it sees it strictly as a refusal to support the family at such occasion.
Considering the other side of the aso-ebi coin, Alakija says the politics here is that people who have taken part in buying an aso-ebi would feel welcome to an event even if they were not officially invited. In this case, the aso-ebi becomes a sort of identity.
Alakija also looks at a future of this aspect of the Nigerian culture, that in time it may evolve into an elaborate trend in terms of flamboyance and may enjoy a comfortable place in the Diaspora for reasons of mixed marriages and mobility.
“In a place like the UK where there are about 1 million Nigerians who have settled there, they want to introduce aspects of their culture like the Owambe parties which goes with the aso-ebi, the drums
and all that. It simply says something about their identity,” he said.
and all that. It simply says something about their identity,” he said.
For Bisi Silva, founder of the CCA, Alakija’s choice of looking at this aspect of a culture that is associated with Nigerians and which is gradually pushing into other West African countries, is highly appreciated because people are given opportunity to look at a wide collection, and would definitely analyse it in their individual understanding.
From the eyes of fleeting colourful moments, Alakija captures culture and makes historic statements about treasures of a people.
Interesting, I like the idea of photographs as commentary. And the ones here are nice.
Nice One Debby! but, come o, those two men, who is the owner of the bride?
Yes o! And Naija has plenty of them at that.Thanks.
Good question Eya. Alakija didn't state, but I guess the one on the left is, while the other is his brother. (can't help laughing o).
This is a beautiful concept and I always love Alakija's pictures…he is one of Naija's finest photographers.
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Sure Lara, Alakija is quite creative with his works. Thanks!
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