The Spokesperson to Osun State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, has reaffirmed Governor Ademola Adeleke’s assertion that Osun is the rightful birthplace of Adire fabric, citing deep-rooted history and traditions dating back to pre-13th century.
This clarification, made in a statement released on Friday, comes amid brewing disagreement from Adire traders in Ogun State who had contested the Governor’s earlier remarks.
Mallam Rasheed emphasized that the Adire craft originated from a spiritual connection with the Osun goddess, explaining that “Ile Aka in Osogbo and Ile Akoda in Ede were producing Adire long before the 13th century.”
According to him, “The origin of Adire is from the spiritual deity called the Osun goddess, and it has been in existence long before the 13th century. This cultural expression has been passed down through generations who encountered the goddess during their migratory search for water.”
He further explained that the Igi Elu tree—used in producing Aro, a key traditional dye ingredient before the arrival of Chinese imports—is native to Osun, strengthening the claim that Osun is the cradle of the Adire tradition.
“Governor Adeleke’s position is not a matter of conjecture but one grounded in verifiable historical facts,” Rasheed noted.
Delving deeper into cultural lore, Rasheed recounted how early settlers, led by King Lamoye Olutimehin, encountered the Osun goddess.
“While building shelters by the river they found, they accidentally broke her dye pots. She complained bitterly: ‘Lamoye Timehin, gbogbo ikoko aro mi leti fo tan’. This encounter signified that the goddess was already engaged in Adire processing before human settlement.”
Rasheed added that Osogbo is widely celebrated as “ilu aro”—the city of dye—further cementing its identity with the fabric.
“Osogbo ilu aro… aro n be ni Osogbo, ni Osogbo fi n wun ni,” he quoted, adding that many Adire artisans in Ogun and other southwestern states were historically trained by Osogbo craftsmen.
To further validate the claim, Rasheed referenced the mid-20th century influence of Ulli Beier and Susan Wenger (Adunni Olorisha), who established the Osogbo School of Art, a pivotal institution in the promotion of Adire and Batik.
“Renowned figures like Twin 77, Jimoh Buraimoh, Yemi Elebuibon, Duro Ladipo and others were all shaped by the Osogbo art renaissance,” he said.
“In summary, Adire is an offshoot of traditional tye and dye by the Osun goddess way before the 13th century, and as such, Osun State remains the traditional home and source of Adire in Nigeria, Africa and beyond,” Rasheed concluded.
Responding to the Ogun traders’ reaction, the Spokesperson urged for historical accuracy over unnecessary regional debates.
“This clarification is necessary to prevent misinformation. The Adeleke administration is committed to preserving our cultural heritage and telling our story with pride and facts.”
Rasheed also announced that Osun State will host the maiden edition of the Adire Osun Carnival in November 2025, to further celebrate and promote the heritage.
“It will be a colourful cultural parade headlined by our globally revered Adire ambassador, Chief (Mrs.) Nike Okundaye of the Nike Art Gallery,” he said.
“As we reclaim our heritage, we invite the world to witness and celebrate the timeless beauty of Adire from its ancestral home,” Rasheed declared.
