By Fortune Omuya Salawu, Founder, Abuja College of Fashion. Guest Speaker, NAES Cultural Day, Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa
Distinguished Organizers, Leaders of the National Association of Ebira Students (NAES), I recognized The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in absentia, His Royal Majesty Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammed Tijani Anaje, respected staff and students, brothers and sisters in culture and in purpose, good evening.
I cannot help but extend my heartfelt congratulations as I acknowledge the presence of His Royal Highness, the Ebira Students’ Ohinoyi of this prestigious institution HRH, Comr. Amaja Abdulbasit Majebi. To your honour is this occasion today, Saaki!
It is with great honour and humility that I stand before you today. This gathering is not just a celebration, it is a call to remembrance, a declaration of identity, and a bold statement of unity. We are here today not only as students but as sons and daughters of a proud heritage.
Our topic, “Itinochi As A Catalyst For Cultural Expression And Identity,” is as timely as it is powerful.
Let me begin with a truth we cannot afford to forget:
Clothing is not just what we wear, it is who we are.
*THE POWER OF CLOTHING (Itinochi)*
In Ebira culture, Itinochi is more than native attire. It is our story. It speaks without words. It connects generations. It tells the world, “This is who I am, this is where I come from, and I am proud of it.”
The rich patterns, the handwoven threads, the deep symbolism in the motifs, all carry with them centuries of unspoken wisdom, dignity, royalty, resilience, and beauty.
To wear Itinochi is to announce your roots. To design it is to preserve a history. To showcase it is to resist cultural erosion.
THE EVOLUTION OF ITINOCHIi AND IT’S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Itinochi is the traditional handwoven fabric of the Ebira people, rooted in deep cultural significance and spiritual meaning. Once reserved for special occasions such as marriages, festivals, coronations, and rites of passage, Itinochi was more than just clothing, it was a visual expression of identity, status, and ancestral connection.
Traditionally woven by skilled Ebira women on wooden looms, the art of creating Itinochi was passed down through generations. Each pattern, colour, and thread was symbolic, telling stories of lineage, belief systems, and community pride. The process was sacred, and the cloth was often worn by elders, chiefs, and respected members of society.
Over time, the role of Itinochi began to shift. While it remained central to traditional events, a new generation of designers and cultural enthusiasts started to reimagine its usefulness. Instead of being limited to ceremonies, Itinochi began appearing in everyday fashion, tailored into modern designs like blazers, gowns, and accessories. This evolution allowed the fabric to reach younger audiences and new markets, both locally and internationally.
This shift didn’t mean a loss of identity; instead, it marked a creative rebirth. Fashion entrepreneurs and cultural institutions began to spotlight Itinochi on runways, in cultural festivals, and on global stages, showing how indigenous fabrics can adapt to modern tastes while preserving their roots.
Women weavers remain at the heart of this transformation. Their skill and dedication keep the tradition alive, even as their work is now featured in contemporary fashion collections. This evolution has also provided economic empowerment for many families and communities, turning a cultural craft into a viable industry.
Today, Itinochi is more than a heritage fabric, it is a cultural brand. It tells the story of the Ebira people’s past while embracing the future. As designers continue to innovate with the fabric, and institutions like fashion schools promote its relevance, Itinochi stands as a proud symbol of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride.
The journey of Itinochi reflects the dynamic nature of culture itself. From sacred attire to stylish identity, Itinochi has evolved, but it has never lost its soul.
ITINOCHI AS A TOOL FOR UNITY AND CULTURAL REVIVAL
Today, our generation is losing touch with our language, our values, and yes, even our fashion. But in the face of globalization, our native wear can unify us.
When we wear Itinochi at weddings, festivals, school events, or even to church or mosque, we are sending a clear message:
We may live in different places, speak different tongues, but we remain united by our heritage.
Let’s encourage our friends across ethnic boundaries to appreciate our attire. Let’s collaborate across campuses to host Itinochi exhibitions, Ebira fashion parades, or even inter-cultural design challenge.
This is not just style. It is a strategy. It is peaceful cultural diplomacy.
Once again, I wish to re-echo this vision (THE ITINOCHI FESTIVAL) this alone has the potential to become the biggest cultural celebration ever witnessed in North Central Nigeria, if only our state government will give it the attention it deserves. With proper promotion and planning, this annual event can attract global participation, stimulate economic activities, and unite men and women from across the world.
Remember:
We currently lack a single festival that unites all Anebira, across districts, clans, generations, religion and locations. This could be the one event that brings our sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora, back to our roots. A festival with the power to attract not only our people but also foreigners, unlocking cultural pride and vast economic opportunities.
ITINOCHI FESTIVAL: A festival of culture, a festival of pride, a festival of unity, a festival of creativity, a festival of Love and Honour.
ITINOCHI AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
You may wonder, how does native clothing relate to academic success?
Let me tell you: a student who understands and embraces their identity walks taller, speaks clearer, and thinks deeper. Culture gives confidence. Confidence builds leadership. And leadership drives excellence.
Let’s not be students who pass through school without leaving a cultural imprint. Let our presentations, projects, and even our final year exhibitions reflect our roots. Let’s research indigenous textiles. Let’s create fashion start-ups from our hostels that project Ebira aesthetics to the world.
APPRECIATION OF EBIRA WOMEN AND CULTURAL AMBASSADORS
Before I conclude, allow me to specially appreciate a very important group, our women.
To the amazing women of Anebira who have preserved and mastered the sacred art of weaving Itinochi, we celebrate you. You are the soul of our tradition. Each thread you weave carries stories of our past, strength from our present, and hope for our future. Your craftsmanship is not only beautiful, it is sacred.
To our young ladies, especially students who, over time, have carried the torch of our cultural identity far beyond Ebira land, thank you. Your graceful display of our native clothing, your pride in wearing our UWEYI, and the rest of other traditional beads, has made you living testaments of who we are. Wherever you go, you turn heads with dignity, with elegance, and with cultural pride.
You do not just wear beads, you wear history. You do not just wear Itinochi, you wear home. You wear honour, confidence, and love for your roots.
I deeply appreciate you all. You are the great ambassadors of Anebira, and today, we honour you. May your beauty, brilliance, and boldness continue to inspire generations to come.
In Conclusion
Let me leave you with this:
“A culture that is not worn, will soon be forgotten. And a people who forget who they are, lose their voice in the world.” ~ Fortune Omuya
Let us raise the banner of Itinochi, not just as a fabric, but as a flag of unity, dignity, and identity.
Together, let’s build a generation of culturally conscious, academically excellent, and globally relevant Ebira students.
Thank you! May the spirit of our heritage continue to lead us higher. Osee!
God Bless Anebira!