Fabric Stories: An Exploration of the Ankara and Aso Oke textiles of West Africa
Through our FREE half term activities discover more about the origins of the bold statement colours and intricate patterns of Ankara and Aso Oke fabrics that are worn in West African Yoruba culture.
Drop into our Assembly Room for free half term activities for all the family. Join artist, Aisha Adi, to create a collaborative community textile using a hand made large loom (timings below), or tap into your creativity and create your own Ankara designs on canvas and use smaller looms to create your own textiles.
Ankara and Aso Oke Fabrics
Trace back to the origins of Ankara and Aso Oke fabrics, discover their cultural significance and how they are used to signify personal events. Understand more about how Aso Oke textiles are a symbol of identity.
Learn about the origins of weaving dating back to ancient times. The earliest looms are those recorded in the wall paintings of ancient Egyptian tombs and in the present day hand weaving is practiced across Africa.
Hand weaving is a form of story telling, through this tactile process we can enable dialogue and create our own stories as a community.
Community Weaving
At the times listed below you can join artist, Aisha Adi, to create a collaborative community textile using a handmade large loom. The textile will be created largely using Ankara fabric, but you are also invited to contribute any fabric or material with stories to tell.
Friday 25 October: 11am-1pm and 2-4pm
Saturday 26 October: 11am-1pm and 2-3pm
Monday 28 October: 11am-1pm and 2-4pm
Wednesday 30 October: 11am-1pm and 2-4pm
Friday 1 November: 11am-1pm and 2-4pm
Saturday 2 November: 11am-1pm and 2-4pm
Monday 4 November: 11am-1pm and 2-4pm
Drop in Activities
All half term visit the Assembly Room and take part in our free drop in activities:
- Be inspired by Ankara and create your own Ankara designs on canvas
- Use smaller looms to create your own textiles
Thursday 24 October - Monday 4 November
