ASO EBI
CLOTH OF THE FAMILY
Aso ebi refers to the wearing of uniform dress during times of celebration in Yoruba culture, later adopted into national culture, in order to demonstrate solidarity among family and friends who are closely connected to the celebrants.
The long standing tradition of aso ebi (cloth of the family) typically utilizes local textiles, however American photographer Phyllis Galembo’s portraits taken in Benin city, Nigeria between 1991 - 1994 are unusual as they demonstrate the adaption and modernization of aso-ebi traditions to include imported western clothing, creating a contemporary expression of a cultural tradition.
P Galembo, Aso-Ebi: Cloth of the Family, 1997
http://www.galembo.com/aso-ebi/index.htm
O A Ajani, Aso Ebi : The Dynamics of Fashion and Cultural Commodification in Nigeria, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife PhD, 2012