Words: Rosemary Onubaiye

Photos: TCFW/Africa-Related

Jos, Plateau State NIGERIA

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Ita'i Our Cloth, a weaving social enterprise based in Okene Kogi State recently showcased at the TinCity Fashion Week, which took place in the city of Jos, Plateau State in November 2021.

The first edition highlighted the Guodo - the woven cloth of the ethnic groups found across the Middle Belt Region of Nigeria. Participating designers were thrilled to deliver their creative interpretations and transform the runway for three nights in Jos!

Ita’i featured designers like Zizi Cardow and Morino, who worked with the Okene/Ebira woven cloth . The event was organised by Ms. Christabel Bentu of TCFW and supported by various sponsors.

Read more about the historical significance and the many uses of the Guodo Cloth below.

Historical Background

It has been observed by stakeholders in the FASHION and THE CREATIVE industry on the PLATEAU and the MIDDLE BELT region of Nigeria that there is a CRITICAL NEED to revive and promote the local textiles and fashion industries in order to rekindle a general interest among the people of Central Nigeria and by extension Nigeria and globally in patronizing our indigenous traditional fabric and designs.

This is to ensure that the local industries are sustained at home and in the global market. This will also serve as forum for the Preservation, Promotion and Presentation of our unique and rich traditional fabrics. It will further create job opportunities for millions of unemployed youths, thus reducing the incidence of extreme poverty within the already highly marginalized region.

2021 PROGRAMME CONTENT

(A)TEXTILE FAIR

This event will involve textile, weavers and accessories produced and displayed by the traditional fabric manufacturers and producers from the MIDDLE BELT REGION states:- Plateau, Nassarawa, Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Niger and Southern part of Kaduna states. They will converge in Jos and at an Event center to display a variety of traditional fabrics, accessories etc to the public and for sale---a kind of textile market for the JOS FASHION WEEK.

(B) FASHION SHOW

This Event will bring together FASHION DESIGNERS from these six States to display their designs in an organized show with emphasis on fabrics from the six earmarked States of the Middle Belt Region .

(C) STAR APPEARANCES

This will feature Nationally and Internationally known fashion designers, putting up a show-appearance to add value to the entire event. Similarly, Music stars, Comedians, Actors, Star footballers etc to perform/show up at the event for Endowment.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To introduce the Middle Belt region traditional fabrics to the Nigerian/Global market.

2. To Promote and Create a market local textile and fashion designers within the area of coverage.

3. To provide a platform for Exchange of ideas among producers in order to enhance standards for National and International recognitions and patronage.

4. To promote Middle belt dress culture and provide a tourist market that would sustain the viability of the industry.

5. To showcase the creations of promising designers newly introduced to the fashion world.

6. To help strengthen the Entertainment and Creative industries on the Plateau, thereby restoring it's lost glory.

7. To provide at forum for fostering PEACE AND UNITY among all Nigerians.

PROJECTING GUODO - Africa Fashion Week

BRIEF HISTORY OF PLATEAU STATE

The name PLATEAU is derived from the nature and form of its prominent landmass, which is largely occupied by Rocks, Hills, Mountains ETC.

Out of the original area coverage created initially, two States later emerged out of PLATEAU STATE namely BENUE and NASSARAWA STATES. These three states namely PLATEAU, NASSARAWA and BENUE STATES make up the center of the Geographical area called the Middle Belt region. Other states within the Middle belt region include TARABA, KOGI, NIGER and SOUTHERN PART OF KADUNA STATES.

Historically, these six/seven States have similar cultures having migrated from the famous KWARARAFA KINGDOM. The dances, dress code, language, values and norms of the people have similarities. This is why our proposed programme plans to concentrate largely on the indigenous fabrics and designs from the Middle Belt region

Source: TinCity Fashion Week

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