Experts highlight relevance of African culture

Culture, in general, is defined as a collective mass of distinctive qualities belonging to a certain group of people, with qualities such as laws, morals, beliefs, knowledge, art, customs, and any other attributes belonging to a member of that society.

Recently, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) held a conference in Ibadan, where the relevance of African culture in terms of hairstyles, dress culture and fashion in contemporary times were discussed by culture enthusiasts.

The director-general of CBAAC, Mrs Olubunmi Amao, while speaking, said there is the need to pay proper attention to African hairstyles, dress culture and fashion for economic empowerment.

She explained that African hairstyles/braids, dress culture and fashion are some of the continent’s major creative ingenuities/products that have become predominant among Africans, especially women, which are rooted in the African culture.

She said: “It is essential for us to give proper and adequate attention to the endeavours by deploying effective strategies to fully develop them as small and medium enterprises for socio-economic development as African hairstyles, dress culture and fashion are sources of economic empowerment and instrument of cultural diplomacy.

“African hairstyles/braids, dress culture and fashion are some of the continent’s major creative ingenuities/products that have become predominant among Africans, especially women, which are rooted in the African culture.” She said.

Amao explained that these creative endeavours have over the times undergone tremendous transformation from being day-to-day endeavours to major sources of empowerment.

The CBAAC boss added that there is increasing popularity of African creative and artistic products all over the globe with African braids and others birthing new trends and gaining prominence.

She noted that these ventures have become sources of economic empowerment with positive impact on the economic livelihood of people.

Also speaking, actor and playwright, Jimi Solanke, described Africans as the most fashionable people in the world.

Solanke identified African fabrics like Kente, Adire, Aso-oke, and many more, adding that they are being used all over the world.

The folk singer, therefore, appreciated the promoters of African culture churning out strategies to assist the younger generation to develop interest in the area of fashion.

“Africans are the most fashionable people in the whole world. From the time of our ancestors, we have been making fabrics.

“Can you imagine the kinds of fabrics like Kente, Adire, Aso-oke, and many more. Now, we own different Ankara styles which are being used all over the world.”

The resource person, Adejoke Lasisi, said that her life witnessed a transformation in all ramifications when she started converting pure water sachets into shoes and bags.

Lasisi said she would be speaking in Dubai at the World Expo on Art of Recycling in November, 2021, and also got an all-expense-paid trip to Florida representing Nigeria to showcase her work.

The lady, who explained how she started, said she was from an Aso-Oke weaving family and got dissatisfied with the way the people in her community disposed of wastes in the gutter considering its health implications.

She further explained that she was using her weaving skills to process wastes and consequently, she started getting calls from different communities all around the states in the country and abroad to help with their wastes.

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