𝗢𝗻 “𝐒̣𝐎̀𝐊𝐎̀𝐓𝐎̀” 𝗮𝗻𝗱 “𝐀𝐆𝐁𝐀́𝐃𝐀́”: The attached image shows a granite sculpture of a human figure wearing 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗼𝗳 ‘𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀’, known in Yorùbá language as 𝘀̣𝗼̀𝗸𝗼̀𝘁𝗼̀. This granite image from Ìgbájọ has been dated to circa year 1400CE The survival of this Ìgbájọ granite image from the Yorùbá Classical Period at once invalidates some insinuations (from ongoing discussion on 𝕏) that the Yorùbás adopted 𝘀̣𝗼̀𝗸𝗼̀𝘁𝗼̀ recently, following a supposed shift from wraparound-garments (𝗶̀𝗿𝗼́). The reality (as it’s now obvious) is that both were in use during the Classical Period. And the baring of the upper body (as depicted in royal Ifẹ̀ works) suggests sacred/religious context — as opposed to the imagination that they could not fathom the possibility of (at least) draping their upper bodies with these fabric that they apparently possessed . . . Regarding 𝗮𝗴𝗯𝗮́𝗱𝗮́, there are suggestions from the traditions; archaeology; at least one Ifẹ̀ artifact; & from linguistics, to reach the conclusion that the popular theory that it simply came from the non-Yorùbá Sahel culture can no longer be sustained. A theory of the origin of the Yorùbás’ 𝗮𝗴𝗯𝗮́𝗱𝗮́ that appears to be better corroborated by evidence & thus more grounded in proof & reason goes thus: The Yorùbás, Hausas, Wolofs, et al. began upper body donning by simply draping extensive fabric across shoulder(s). They did this ‘independently’. This similar but independent (𝗽𝗮 𝗸𝗮́𝗷𝗮̀ style) attire slowly evolved over some centuries into Yorùbá-𝗮𝗴𝗯𝗮́𝗱𝗮́, Hausa- riga, Wolof-boubou, and others. The gradual mutual convergence (of their various 𝗸𝗮́𝗷𝗮̀ styles) into this wide sleeved robe was made possible by centuries long trade contact between the West African groups involved in such contact And the Yorùbás have been involved in the trans-sudanic trade and vice versa centuries before the period suggested by the popular theory of 𝗮𝗴𝗯𝗮́𝗱𝗮́ Cheers! 🥂 ————— Image: Suzanne P. Blier, “Art and Risk in Ancient Yoruba: Ife History, Power, and Identity, c. 1300”, Cambridge University Press, 2015. See page 163 Photograph: Nigerian National Museums, Lagos.
