The aso ebi phenomenon

Aso ebi, a Yoruba phrase loosely meaning family outfit, is as ubiquitous as the people who don it. Just enter major streets of Nigeria and event centres on any given weekend and you will not wander far before you spot people putting one type or another.

From weddings to funerals, aso ebi has become a tradition and a phenomenon, far extending the bounds of the Yoruba race. Even in Igboland, people adopt aso ebi – as uniform –without knowing the real meaning.

The Yoruba, known for their gregarious lifestyle, introduced the aso ebi into the Nigerian lexicon and psyche. No matter the occasion or the people involved, aso ebi has more or less become a sine qua non for many ceremonies.

But beyond the event, the type of aso ebi chosen speaks volumes.

While some people see it as money-making venture, others see it as an opportunity to show off, especially in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve. For these people, it’s an opportunity to raise money to support a particular event. So, a particular outfit can cost a little more in comparison to the actual market price.

Beyond the monetary value, aso ebi is a wonder to behold at occasions. The sheer aesthetics is so alluring that in today’s Nigeria, no event is complete without it.

A lot of would-be brides make so much show with their friends and relatives for the aso ebi of their big day.

The bereaved are not left out where the dead are celebrated.

African prints, the darling of many occasions, always come handy on each occasion.