A Historical Assessment of the Economics of Aso-Ebi System among the Yoruba People of South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

The term Aso-Ebi is a system commonly practised among the Yoruba people of the South-western region of Nigeria. This is a system of the same design/pattern of clothes worn during ceremonies by colleagues, family members and the community, among others. This system of buying, selling, sharing and distribution of clothes initially was restricted to family members alone. However, in contemporary times, this system has been extended to and practicable among the well-wishers and also serves as a means of identifying with family members and friends during celebrations of diverse kinds, such as religious and political affiliations, sporting and cultural activities, courtship and marriage, education, funeral and the like of such occasions that call for celebration. This system has been transformed into a means of economic gain for celebrants, organizers, and every other partaker or participant in the business and ceremony. Hence, this paper examines the economics inherent in this social identity bargaining as well as the co-modification implications of Aso-Ebi (clothes) by celebrants with a view of advocating financial sanctity and networking in such practice. Furthermore, this paper also examines the effects of Aso-Ebi System on the economy of the Yoruba people of South-Western Nigeria. In so doing, it provides more evidence to further the assertion that the economic dependency that resulted from colonialism was not an accident, but rather an intentional outcome. This article explores how current economic and social circumstances about Aso-Ebi cannot be fully understood without substantial knowledge of the past. The use of primary data generated through qualitative techniques, archival records and other secondary data to engage research issues through the lens of a historical approach to data collation and interpretation is adopted for this study. The paper concludes that the economic history of the Aso-ebi system cannot be undermined in the economic development and sustainability of the Yoruba people in the South-western Nigeria.