In the last days of the celebrations of Lagos at 50, Nike Okundaye made a glamourous exhibition of Adire fabrics at the National Theatre, Lagos, reports Edozie Udeze
The just concluded art exhibition by Nike Art Gallery which was part of the celebrations of Lagos at 50, offered most lovers of adire materials the opportunity to view and appreciate some of the works of Nike Okundaye. Beyond the indigo and adire materials which adorned most of her stands, her workers were also available to attend to people and where necessary offered affordable prices to those who wished to make purchases.
Most of the works were etched in symbols. Each symbol has its own meaning and origin. This is so because for Nike adire has come to represent what the people stand for. It is the traditional wear of some set of people who have for years, seen it as a way of life. This is why Nike herself often says “may the spirit of adire continue to grow stronger. It is part of our proud heritage through which our love and the social fabric of our everyday lives is revealed.”
She sees adire as an integral part of Yoruba culture. It is a patterned-dye cloth of the South Western region of Nigeria. There are about four hundred different identifiable patterns. But due to some constraints not up to that number have been discovered and put into use. But for Nike and her people, adire has indeed become a symbol that cannot be easily erased from the social consciousness of the people.
The different designs on each fabric has a lot to say about the beliefs of the people. At the exhibition, people came from far and near and what was obvious was the interest shown to the patterns, designs and symbols on display. For instance the one with bat symbol shows that the bats hang symmetrically side by side with other symbols. This gives it its basic concept of colour and pattern. The one with cassava leaves shows that the mere slanting does not kill the cassava plant. It is a pattern that goes straight from the centre and spreads round the cloth. It is symbolically done to show how important cassava plant is to Nigerian people. In it you could see this adire-square. The cassava leaves fill the space with satisfying symmetry. In some other symbols like that, the leaves are smaller, somewhat neatly-aligned in rows, often forming a four by four grid.
As the cloths were being displayed some of these symbols clearly blossomed inside the foyers of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, where the exhibition took place. Nike and her workers were all adorned in these local fabrics in such a flamboyant way that their presence became infectious. They were everywhere in the arena, purposely to make guests see, feel and patronize adire. Indeed, it was a sight to behold.
Also present was Jimi Solanke who came with his musical band to identify with the Lagos at 50 celebrations. With Professor Wole Soyinka directing most of the events, guests were thrilled by wonderful renditions by Solanke. In his usual solemn, sombre way of rendering his songs on stage, Solanke performed to the total delight of thespians. He sang to eulogise Eko, to identify with a city that has come to be known as home for all. As his baritone voice seeped through the air, some people took time to shuffle their legs to rhythms of the songs.
Before Solanke came on stage the National Troupe of Nigeria, had performed the festival of drums. Their evocative drumming pattern was to appeal to the different messages embedded in the drums. The drums came in various sizes. As they prattled, danced, gyrated to the beating, the audience became more charged. Arnold Udoka of the National Troupe explained that that was symbolically a way to allow the drums speak. “Those sounds have deep meanings etched in them,” he said.
Very colourful drums, the designs on them were remarkably attractive. They made more people eager to embrace the messages. The most inspiring of all was the synchronization of the dance pattern with the sounds of drums. “The sounds can be used to provoke war or peace,” Udoka averred. “They can also represent celebrations of all kinds. Through the sounds, you can mourn, you can sing, you can meditate; you can also remember some memorable moments in your life. These are some of the reasons why the symbolism of drums cannot be neglected in our lives.” Udoka, the director incharge of dance, explained.
On hand to thrill the gathering also were members of Team Nigeria led by Jahman Anikulapo. The Team danced all through the day imbued with energy and vibes. On the whole, the day was filled with social and cultural activities that befitted Lagos at 50.