The Idoma Textile

The Idoma people are a tribe with a unique culture which they cherish and treasure. One of this is the Atu their cultural identity. This Idoma emblem which is their dress code is a special fabric made up of two colours red and black with gold colour lining in between. This emblem or attire can be proudly worn by any Idoma person at any time especially during occasions or festivities. It is for cultural identity and speaks volume on what the Idomas believe in.

The black colour in the Idoma emblem symbolizes death and a reminder that all humans are mortals and vulnerable therefore should do everything with moderation and modesty. According to Chief Antenyi, the Odejo k’Apa, Idomas believe in death and life after death. Death is seen as inevitable and undisputable. People who are of human existence and live on planet earth (Eche) are called (Aleche). Those who die from this world and are buried are believed to come back to live in another form in their abode (O’lekwu) and are therefore called (Alekwu). This belief in the life after death is also held by many ethnic groups in Africa. Thus Idomas believe in the protection and power of these ancestors who can bless and protect them from calamities.

The red colour of the Idoma traditional attire symbolizes authority and power. According to Mr. Joseph Ada the secretary to Idoma Traditional Council, the Red colour in Idoma traditional attire symbolizes the blood of their heroes who were slain in the course of defending the Idoma in their various wars and battle for emancipation. In the same vein the black colour reminds the Idoma of the death of their heroes.

The gold colouring in between the two major colours stands for hope for young
Idoma people that no matter the situation they find themselves anywhere, anytime, no matter
how dark it may look there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Dr. Onoja an elite and a lecturer in the department of history, college of advanced and professional studies Makurdi when asked by a researcher opined that ‘Atu’ was an adopted fabric from Apa kingdom in Kwararafa Empire and it is a symbol of Idoma unity and cultural identity. In response to why these colours were chosen by Idoma, he asserted that the red colour depicts love’s charisma – Idoma people are known to be loving, very hospitable, receptive and accommodating even to strangers. Idoma are also very law abiding and are guided by the consciousness that wherever they find themselves, they try to exhibit discipline. Dr. Onoja further gave an insight to the black colour that it symbolizes agriculture,
especially as the black colour has a semblance of loamy soil which is of high fertility resulting into bountiful products. Idoma being predominantly farmers therefore treasure fertile soil to such an extent that they would do anything that would constantly remind them of the need to secure and protect their fertile land which is a sine-qua-non to high yield of agricultural products sold all over the country for their economic emancipation hence the choice of black as one of the colours in their fabric.

Though, the time of its emergence could not be properly ascertained, some argue that the Atu fabric heritage is as old as the existence of the Idoma themselves who are believed to have migrated from the legendary Kwararafa kingdom centuries ago. History however, indicates that the traditional fabric dates back to the reign of Och’Idoma Abraham Ajene Okpabi, the second paramount ruler of the Idoma kingdom, or even earlier, as Idu, the progenitor of Idoma, who according to oral tradition, engaged in handloom clothing at the time blacksmithing flourished among the Igala, Ebira and Igbo-speaking neighbours of Idoma.

To the Idoma, this traditional fabric, defined by bold stripes of red and black, is a symbol of unity—red, for strength and resilience of the people, who proved overwhelming for rival tribes or races that sought to displace the Idoma from the Benue basin where they settled. The colour black is a reference to the agrarian nature of the people who depended on the earth for many purposes. This heritage has been well preserved. Proud sons and daughters of Idoma are making bold statements with Atu, to the point where the fabric is gaining recognition around the world as an emblem of the Idoma tribe.

Beyond its cultural significance, the Idoma attire has become part of everyday fashion, a fabric for fashionable clothing, including wrappers, gowns, skirts, blouses, kaftan, and trousers. Atu is now worn in many forms, for many occasions and at any time of the day. Today it is one of a handful of fabrics that have found global appeal. Though aboriginal to Idoma, but no longer limited to only the Idoma people. It has spread beyond the realms of Idomaland to the rest of Nigeria.

The Idoma culture is one of the most fascinating cultures in Nigeria. Exceptionally proud of their native heritage, preserved many of their ancestors’ traditions, and a number of them present in their mixture of elaborate traditional tales, artistic expressions, music and varied culture elements.

The Idoma is the second largest group in Benue state and the word “IDOMA” means God has done it.