We are huge fans of batik fabric, in particular Adire which is the type of tie dye fabric popular among the Yoruba people of Southern Nigeria. If you have a look at our products made with Adire, you get a sense of various patterns that are repeated across the fabric. Each of these patterns have very specific meanings.

Although I knew what some of these symbols represented, I have always wanted a catalogue of sorts, where they were all explained. I was extremely excited to learn of the new book Storytelling Through Adire: An Introduction to Adire Making and Pattern Meanings by Allyson Aina Davies which I purchased immediately.

The book details very beautifully with illustrations what each of these patterns and symbols mean, each with a name and story. The stories are often words of advice from the elders, or a means of documenting social, economic and environmental conditions. With symbols such as Adé- Crown, Eegun-eja- fish bone, Ewé ẹ̀gẹ́- Cassava leaf and many more.

Alángbá Bẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ̀tẹ̀ (Fat Lizard) “The big stomach is a symbol of wealth. It is important to feed your family to be big and healthy like the fat lizard” #Proverb – All Lizards lie on their bellies but nobody knows which of them suffers from stomach ache. (#Abeokuta style of Alangba Berekete) #Adire #Batik #Textile #Fashion #AfricanTextile #AfricanFabric #IndigoDye #Yoruba #Lagos #Nigeria #Africa #AfricanProverb #Patterns #Lizard #Indigo #StorytellingThroughAdire #Blue #Art #AfricanArt #AdireEleko #NigerianArt

A photo posted by Adire Patterns (@adirepatterns) on Jan 28, 2015 at 3:40pm PST

 

#Ade (Crown) design #Adire #Batik #Lagos #Nigeria #Textile #Africa #africanart #africanfabric #Africantextile #Blue #indigo#Painting #Acrylic #AfricanProverb #AdireEleko #Ibadan #Yoruba #Proverb

 

A photo posted by Adire Patterns (@adirepatterns) on Mar 2, 2015 at 10:38am PST

With the collection of symbols on each piece of cloth, we start to see a story unfolding in this unique cross between art and functionality. If you are interested in African fabric design and in particular Adire patterns, I would definitely recommend this book. It is a great resource. I love the fact that each piece we make out of Adire gives you a small piece of a much larger story. A little portion of Yoruba history and wisdom!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please check out Adire Patterns website for more information: www.adirepatterns.com

Adire Patterns Twitter handle: @AdirePatterns

WHERE TO BUY THE BOOK:

The book is available in the following places.

• ONLINE on Amazon
• STRANGER: 3 Hakeem Dickson, Lekki Phase One, Lagos, Nigeria
• QUINTESSENCE: Park View Estate Entrance, Off Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria