Nigerian artisans preserve handwoven fabric amid rising global demand

In Iseyin, Nigeria, the demand for aso-oke, a handwoven fabric, has surged, driven by the Nigerian diaspora and the growing recognition of the country's fashion and music culture. Despite this popularity, artisans resist mechanization, insisting that handweaving is essential to the fabric's uniqueness. Waliu Fransisco, a former nightclub singer, left his career to focus on weaving aso-oke, stating that he now earns a decent living from this craft.