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Rambo Dancers |
A very wonderful weekend to you. Welcome to Series 3 (final series) of the discussion on WEAVING IN EBIRA LAND. In
Series 1 and
Series 2,
we did justice to the concept of weaving in Ebira Land, the Brief
History of weaving in Ebira Land, and the tools or equipments used. To
conclude this topic today, we are considering the TRADE ROUTES.
As established in
Series 1,
fabric weaving is first an occupation before it became the pride of the
Ebira women. It is through this, that they are able to support the
family and provide their personal needs. Today, fabric weaving is not as
it was decades ago.
According to Onyi Halima, our guest on
Series 2,
the cheapest of fabric weaving in Ebira land now, is Uba’ajo. The one
used to back babies, and sometimes as table covers. One costs not less
than a 400 naira in Ohu-Manaka.
Yes! Ohu-Manaka and Ohu Bariki are two major markets in Ebira Land with
the highest of records when it comes to local trade of fabrics. Upogoro,
an ancient town in the land, boasts of the best weavers.
Also from our findings, we discovered that there are already ‘cabals in
the weaving industry in Ebira Land.’ They have their respective weaving
associations. Expertise demonstrated with high level of dexterity is
their watchword. Their products are top demands in Gombe, Kano, Lagos,
cotonou, and other major fabric markets across West Africa. Five yards
of their fabrics will not go less than 15,000 naira.
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Kogi
First Lady, Hajia Rashidat Bello, joined by Adamawa and Benue First
Ladies to display Ebira Woven clothes at a public function recently. |
To these weavers, all they want from the government is a Fabric Weaving
Industry in their land. This would encourage more women to join, and
motivate buyers from different parts of the country to journey down to
their land to patronize them.
We have come to the end of the topic, WEAVING IN EBIRA LAND. Thanks for being there.