Nigerian Aso-ebi festival to take place in UK later on this month

COMMUNITY socialite and former Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) publicity secretary Princess Moradeun Adedoyin-Solarin has released further details of her planned Aso-Ebi gala night taking place later this month.

Due to hold on October 26 at the Grand Sapphire Hotel in Croydon, the event is designed to be an educative, informative, historically curative and cultural platform. According to the organisers, is was specially created for the Nigerian, African and Caribbean communities in the UK, with a view to highlighting their culture.

Princess Adedoyin-Solarin said: quote “It promises to be a spectacular annual event, which will serve as a celebration of ancient traditions and culture, a marketing tool, exhibition space and a capacity building initiative. Our main thrust is to re-capture a wide audience range, across the UK, Europe, Africa, Caribbean, Middle East, US etc, particularly targeting the African diaspora communities in these territories.

“We will be specifically reaching out to people, institutions, businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations seeking knowledge with a platform for exceptional creative and artistic expression. We will also be offering trade and investment opportunities to make a difference within the wider market’s inventive and innovative space.”

She added that Aso in Yoruba means cloth or fabric, while Ebí means family or relatives and Aso-Ebí/Family Cloth or Family Uniform has been an integral part of the traditional and cultural practices of the Yoruba people from ancient times. Family members adorn the same cloth or fabric for special occasions like marriages, festivals, birthdays, burials, house warming, naming ceremonies etc.

According to Princess Adedoyin-Solarin, this original practice was really for identity, unity, social inclusion, support systems and love within the family, community, groups or associations. However in modern times the practice has extended across Africa and the rest of the world, to include groups of friends, township unions, childhood friends, peers, classmates, professional groups, work colleagues etc.

Official Partners of the Aso-Ebi Festival include the Adire Oodua Textile Hub Nigeria, Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) and Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN), which are owned and run by HRM Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, wife of HIM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, The Oonirisa of Ile-Ife & Spiritual Leader of Yorubas Worldwide. Olori Aderonke is also the ROYAL MATRON of the ASO-EBI FESTIVAL™ Brand.

Media partners include Arize! Media Services, DJA Media, Phoenix Newspaper, Brightnights Entertainment, Heritage TV & HTV Events, Femtej Creations, Doyin Ola Events & Media Consultants, Queen Mercillina Impactful Media and Community Bits TV. Other Partners are Taptap Send, Coastline Spirits UK & Aphro Palm Spirits Ghana, also supporters like Flutterwave Send, Nature Faithfuls, T40 Perfumes, Globalwiin Int, Enersto Bodycast, & Women4Africa etc. Guests to the event are being advised to arrive in their unique Avant Garde styled outfits, designed with and made from indigenous African fabrics, textiles, cloths and accessories.

Princess Adedoyin-Solarin added: “We encourage attendees to purchase tables of 10 group tickets or more at a further reduced price. Standard tickets are £145 per person with limited group bookings that will reduce this to £120, with a discount offer of £125 for Single Tickets ending on October 20.

"We expect between 350 to 400 attendees at the Aso-Ebi Festival Gala Night, which will mostly be people from the Nigerian, African and Caribbean communities. We also have Royal Guests of Honour, Kings, Queens, Princes & Princesses attending from Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Cameroon & South Africa. Also other Special Guests from our other numerous diverse Communities across the UK, who have a deep love and admiration for the rich and beautiful Nigerian Culture & Traditions."

She added that sponsors will have the opportunity to meet, speak to and interact with all these amazing people on the day. There will also be an Aso-Ebi Festival Recognition Awards for outstanding groups and individuals as part of the event that includes nine hours of non-stop culture, tradition, exclusive fun, music, dancing, networking and excitement.