Iseyin, 200 kilometers from Lagos in Nigeria, is a major center for the production of aso-oke, a fabric originating from the Yoruba ethnic group that is increasingly being exported.
To preserve the appearance of this fabric, the artisans resist mechanization, insisting that it is the hand weaving that makes it unique.
"If you use a machine to weave aso-oke, the result will not be as beautiful as if it were woven by hand. People have already tried, and it didn't work. It was God's will that it be woven by hand," explains Kareem Adeola, a Nigerian weaver.
Aso-oke is a hit, both domestically and internationally, driven by Nigerians in the diaspora and the growing popularity of the country's music and fashion culture worldwide.
"As people like aso-oke and use it for different ceremonies, demand increases, which creates jobs for community members. For example, many people who used to hang around on the streets have found work; we taught them how to weave this fabric," says Abdulwasiu Haadi, a Nigerian vendor.
Aso-oke, meaning "fabric from the interior of the country," is a thick fabric, often brightly and in a variety of colors. It is used for traditional ceremonial attire, as well as for trendy fashion and casual wear.
While many Iseyin weavers are middle-aged men, young people are entering the trade, bringing new ideas and skills.
