GOGE AFRICA Highlights WEAVING In EBIRALAND

June 27, 2022 Rosemary O. Onubaiye

Words: Rosemary O. Onubaiye & Oyiza Adaba

Photo/Video: Goge Africa

Okene - Kogi State, Nigeria

Cultural Ambassadors: Nneka & Meche Isaac-Moses Hosts of Goge Africa. Photo by Goge Africa

“The Itinochi hand woven cloth of the Ebira people is perhaps Nigeria's most authentic traditional fashion masterpieces. It is the most durable and wearable artistic heritage of our people. Let us celebrate the uncommon beauty of an economy-driven traditional practice, sustained by women through the ages”.

- Nneka & Metche Isaac-Moses

Gogeafricatv at Ohueje Ohinoyi Cultural Festival March 2022

The long-running multi-award winning travel TV series Goge Africa, gave extensive coverage to the 2022 edition of Ohueje Ohinoyi - the yearly Cultural Festival of the Ebira people held every March in Okene, Kogi State, central Nigeria. In line with the theme 'The 100 Loom Match', the three-day event gave focus to one of the more visible qualities of the Ebira people - Weaving. Ohueje Ohinoyi is in its sixth edition and is supported by Africa-Related and Ita'i Our Cloth.

Full Report: Ohueje Ohinoyi Cultural Festival 2022

THEME: 100 LOOM MARCH - Repositioning Ebira Heritage for Economic Prosperity

Features

Weaving Competition
Symposium
Dancing Competition
Exhibitions
Food-fair

The 2022 edition of Ohueje Ohinoyi themed 100 LOOM MARCH - Repositioning Ebira Heritage for Economic Prosperity - took place on March 3-5 2022 at Ado Ibrahim Civic Centre, Okene, Kogi State. The 3-day event was all about empowering women through the ancient art of weaving. The festival is supported by Anebira Heritage Foundation and in partnership with Ita'i Our Cloth and Africa-Related.

3rd March 2022

Day 1: Opened with a display of current and historical images of Ebira sons and daughters, exhibition stands for display by Art & Culture Abuja, Ita’i Our Cloth, a symposium with participating schools and many more activities.

Symposium Topic: Traditional Cloth Weaving in Ebiraland. Presented by ALH. Okehi Abdulaziz Yusuf

The symposium called on the relevant educational bodies to include weaving in the school curriculum.

The weavers were already set up to start the weaving competition, as seen in their different colours, skills and patterns other activities were going on side by side

School children and visiting guests were shown the weaving process by weavers from various parts of the region, who congregated at the venue with their loom, yarns and weaving material. They provided several demos for the crowd.

4th March 2022

Day 2: Food Fair with a variety of locally made food produce and meals on display. Dancing competition, amidst the weaving contest

5th March 2022

Day 3: Grand finale with every activity from day one, culminating in the finale with some additional features With the exhibition, festivities, masquerade, sales etc all happening simultaneously, there was a fashion display presented by SHIZANUEL Collections an Abuja based designer, dancing masquerades, GUODO products made from fabric from the Middlebelt region states of Plateau, Nassarawa, Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Niger and Southern part of Kaduna states.

Highlights of the festival include an address by Ebira Historian and Emeritus Professor of Art History Prof. John Picton who covered the region extensively from the 60s; and the award ceremony that presented winning weavers for BEST QUALITY, MOST CREATIVE and OVERALL Best with certificates of participation. The women could not hold back their joy knowing that they are finally getting the recognition they deserve, and expressed their thanks to the organizers.

Ohueje Ohinoyi - which means the king's courtyard - is an annual festival to celebrate Ebira indigenous culture and tradition.

Photo Coverage: Ohueje Ohinoyi 2022

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