Description
This cloth was called “Ori mi Pe” which literally translates from the Yoruba as “my head is complete” but can be glossed as “I will have a good destiny.” In Yoruba tradition every child selected his or her “ori” or destiny prior to birth. You can still hear the reverse “Ori o pe !”, “your head is not complete !” shouted as an insult as drivers jostle for space in the ubiquitous traffic jams of Lagos. Beautiful 1960s Yoruba adire eleko hand drawn starch resist indigo dyed woman’s wrapper cloth. This cloth is notable for the densely packed birds and animals throughout giving a visual impression of plenitude. Using a striped brocade cloth for the ground adds another dimension to the design. The ladies who drew the starch resist designs on the cloth often added a small motif at the end of each panel which identified the cloth as their work, important when dye workshops generally dyed cloths in batches for several women together. The signature motif on this cloth, now folded over on the hem, is particularly fine and elaborate. In excellent condition. It’s become extremely hard over the past few years to find these beautiful vintage adire cloths in Nigeria.
Measurement: 78 inches x 68 ins, 199 cm x 173 cm.
All items on this site are vintage. That means that they may have a few small marks or blemishes consistent with use. We will try to highlight any significant issues in the description above but in the event you are not happy with your purchase please notify us within 48 hours of receipt and you may return it for a full refund (excluding return shipping costs.)
