Article Type: Research Article

 

Article Citation: Ajayi Noah Oluwasanjo, and Adékọ̀yà Elizabeth Ọlanikẹ. (2021). EXAMINING THE UTILISATION OF LOCAL AND SYNTHETIC INDIGO DYES AND QUALITTY OF DYED FABRICS IN ÌTÒKÚ MARKET, ABẸ́ÒKÚTA , ÒGÙN STATE, NIGERIA. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, 2 (1), 1-12.

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v2.i1.2021.22

 

Received Date: 20 January 2021

 

Accepted Date: 11 March 2021

 

Keywords:

Market Abẹ́òkúta

Local Indigo Dye (LID)

Quality of Dyed Fabrics (QDF)

Synthetic Indigo Dye (SID)

Utilisation
ABSTRACT

Africans had been producing fabrics locally before the advent of Western fabrics. Àdìrẹ fabrics are purely African textile concepts; dyed with local/indigenous materials and readymade synthetic materials in Abẹ́òkúta, Òṣogbo, Ìbàdàn, Kánò, Ṣókótó, and other parts of Nigeria, and Africa at large. The study focuses on how leaves, bark of plants, and trees are utilised in producing colours of dyes. For example, shade of red can be obtained from leaves of guinea corn (sorghum village), leave of teak wood (tectona grands), leaves of henna law (Sonia intermis), bark and roots of African rose wood (ptrocerpus erinaceus), and wood of the came wood “osùn” (baphia nitida). The sap of old physic nut tree (fatopha curca) produces a black dye. Likewise, many other colours are produced when the need arises. When yellow is desired, afromosia taxifora or a root wood (Morinda lucida) or group grand are used. The mango tree bark, when dried and boiled with water gives a brown dye. Two other fruits Kigelia African and vitex grandifolia are also used for dye. There is an argument on which of the colour registered fast, is it the natural dye or the imported synthetic dye? The answer probably lies in the method of preparing and implementing the dye and the skill/creativity of the dyer. The study examines the utilisation of local and synthetic indigo dyes and quality of dyed cotton fabric in Ìtòkú market, Abẹ́òkúta , Ògùn State. Some participants were interviewed, and questionnaires were administered to respondents for data collection. The result of hypothesis tested justify that there is no significant difference between utilisation of local and imported dye in the quality of textile in relation to colours. Results and findings were discussed, comparism between the local and synthetic dyes was concluded and recommendations were made.

1.     INTRODUCTION

 

Research into origin of dyeing is set with difficulties in possibility to complete a list of the areas where dyeing is known to occur. The actual time dyeing started seems to be obscure and it is contain when and where in the world for thousands of years in the past. Its practice has been widely spread across the continents of the world (Robinson, 1982). Dyeing began when written records were not in existence; we found sculpture representation of pattern garment on the wall of the Babylonians and Assyrians. Clay table from UR dated to around 2,200 B.C. also show pictures of dyes operations (Robinson, 1982). Gardi, (1999) asserts one of the early known indigo dyes was found in Egypt dated to about fifth to sixth centuries A.D, they are shrouds with white patterns showing biblical scenes on a blue background. Another source says indigos dye was known in Egypt as early as 2,500 B.C. (Gardi, 1999) and samples of indigo dyes have also been found in Peru, China, India, Burma, and Japan before seventh century A.D.

Whichever account is correct, indigenous/local indigo dye is a rich culture and practice of Nigerians and Africans at large before the advent of civilisation and Western fabrics. Our fore-fathers produced indigo fabrics of different unique designs based on cultural, traditional, social, and economical background, with a range of lines such as; straight, curved, broken, diagonal, circular, thick, and thin, and shapes like; circle, oval, square, rectangle, and cone. The indigo dyes are gotten from plants of different kind, and their artistic tendencies was fully justified in using these indigo fabrics to unfold stories and captions, among are; Ẹ̀gbá méjì, Abẹ́ Olúmọ, Ìbàdán dùn, ìjàpá ọkọ yánníbo, Olókun, orí mi wà papọ̀, among others. These Nigerian craftsmen often create designs in stylised birds, snakes, frogs, and scorpions; designs inspired by nature include different kinds of leaves, kola-nuts, and star; numerous items from everyday life include umbrellas and watches; and to a much lesser degree are designs of a purely decorative nature, not inspired by realism (Awófisáyọ̀ et al., 2017, Oyèdùn 2013). The aforementioned are enveloped in different motifs such as plant or flower, animal, geometrical, traditional, alphabetical/numerical, symbol, abstract, and pictorial motif.

Lupo (2000) affirms dyeing of fabrics as an ancient art that was early as 2,500 B.C. The Egyptian were dyeing fabrics in yellow, green, red, or blue colours which they used the first natural dyes made from flowers, leaves berries, shell fishes, and insect.  According to Lupo (2000), Williams (2020), Maiwa (2013), William Henry Perkin an eighteen years old English chemistry student discovered how to make a dye from cola in 1856. This was the beginning of the introduction of synthetic dyes. Today, there are over 7000 different synthetic dyes or combination of dyes. During pre-colonial era, in Sothern part of Nigeria, locally dyed cloths (indigo) were used as exchange for food items in towns and markets; mostly Abẹ́òkúta , Ìbàdàn , Ọ̀yọ́ , Òṣogbo and Ẹdẹ in the Southwest (Adépégba, 1995, Lupo, 2000, Sànyà, 2015, Awófisáyọ̀, 2017). This was confirmed by Fagg (1976) in Sànyà (2015) that Yorùbá are the finest practitioners of pattern dyeing which they call Àdìrẹ (tie-dye). Tie-dye is a direct interpretation of its Yorùbá language pronunciation, “Dì” means to Tie, while “Rẹ” means to soak, thus the word “Àdìrẹ – Tie-dye” came to existence. This traditional textile technology of Àdìrẹ is basically indigo dye; the focus of this study.

Consequently, as civilisation advanced the dye type used changed based on location and depending on the climate. People in Europe used wood clothes while people in the tropics used cotton fabrics. Nevertheless, Eicher (1976) in Awófisáyọ̀ (2017) reveals that Nigerian have a wide variety of domestic sources for dye. Among the more frequently used indigenous dyes are the varieties of indigo which grew throughout Nigeria include indigofera arrecta, indigofera suffricottos, indigofera tinctoria, and lonchocarpus cyanescens.  

It is observed that the invention of synthetic dyes in production of textile today has reduced the use of local indigo dyes despite their good dyeing quality. Our argument is that, does it mean there is no more land to cultivate the plants which indigo dyes are gotten from? . Maybe the plant are no more growing well, peradventure we don’t have flare for indigo fabrics anymore thereby fading away our rich culture. Maybe the synthetic indigo dyes are better off, whichever, I believe if we fully embark on the use of indigo fabrics, we will surely cultivate the more of the plants like every other crops.                             

Therefore, the objectives of this study tends to compare the use of local and synthetic indigo dyes in production of tie-dye fabrics in Ìtòkú market, Abẹ́òkúta , Ògùn State. The comparism based on the intensity fastness of the dyes, glossiness of the dyes on textile materials, colour fastness and consumer’s appeal. The study also answers what are the differences in the colour intensity and fatness of the two groups of dyes? Is there any difference in the glossiness of the fabric designed with the two dyes type? Is there any difference in the consumer’s appeal of the two dye types? The research would be of great use to students in clothing and textile department, as well providing more information on utilisation of indigo dyes for textile production and beautification. It will re-awaken the interest and attempt to revive the use of traditional indigo dye (TID), which is presently at the verge of extinction. It will also documents the necessary accessories for the preservation and continuity of traditional dyeing. Hence, the hypothesis tested towards achieving the objectives of the study was stated in null form; there is no significant difference between the local indigo and synthetic dyes in terms of colour fastness, intensity, glossiness and consumer’s appeal.

 

Figure 1: Views of Ìtòkú modern market and Àdìrẹ shop, Abẹ́òkúta , Ògùn state. Authors, (2020).

 

Local Indigo Dye (LID)

It is imperative to know what dye is, before understanding it components and application. Oyèdùn, (2013) sees dye as the organic chemical compounds which impart colours to other materials by saturating them in an aqueous solution. It is a colour substance which could be bound to fibre (fabrics) to colour it or alter the already existing colour. Therefore, we can say indigo dye is a traditional natural blue black organic substance made locally to stain or alter the existing colour of a fabric to the dyer’s desire (Mawla, 2020, Maiwa, 2013). It is currently available in most city and markets like Ìtòkú in Abẹ́òkúta , Ògùn State, which is the focus of this study. But how and when did indigo dyeing started at Abẹ́òkúta ?

Babalolá, (1990), Owálabí, (1986), Oyèbọ́lá, (2001), ṣàlàyé pé aró dídá wo ìlú Abẹ́òkúta láti ọ̀dọ̀ àwọn Núpé tí a kó lẹ́rú láti ìpínlẹ̀ Náíjà wá sí ọ̀dọ̀ gbajúgbajà arábìrin oníṣòwòo nì Ẹfúnróyèkẹ́ Ọ̀ṣúntinúubú, Ìyálóde Ẹ̀gbá. Àwọn ẹrú yìí ń ṣe e iṣẹ́ lóko Ìyálóde nígbà tí wọ́n rí ewé àti ìtàkùn ẹ̀lú tí wọ́n n fi ń ṣe  aṣọ ní aró ní ọ̀dọ̀ wọn (Núpé), bí wọ́n ṣe sọ fún Ìyálóde nìyí tí òun náà sì sọ  fún wọn pé kí wọ́n ṣe àpẹẹrẹ bí wọ́n ti ń rẹ ẹ́ fún òun , lẹ́yìn tí wọ́n ṣe é fún un, Ó ríi pé ó dára , èyí mú un sọ aṣọ rírẹ náà di iṣẹ́ gẹ́gẹ́ bí ẹni àkọ́kọ́ tí ó dá aró ní ìlú Abẹ́òkúta, Ó sì fi ọ̀nà rẹ̀ han ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ènìyàn .   

In the nut shell, the above simply means it was the slaves of Madam Ẹfúnróyèkẹ́ Ọ̀ṣúntinúubú (Ìyálóde of Ẹ̀gbá land), who discovered the indigo plant on her farm, they notified her about the usefulness of the plant and also demonstrated it for her. Hence, she commenced the practice of indigo dyeing as the first in this business at Abẹ́òkúta , Ògùn State of Nigeria.  

Meanwhile, it is pertinent to know as revealed by Ìyá Ìdòwú Aláró , a dyer at Ìtòkú market Abẹ́òkúta, in an interview section in 2018 explains the process of natural local indigo. She said, ewé aró; indigo plants (indigofera tinctoria) are cut during the raining seasons before harvesting millet, and the plants are then spread in a field to absorb/catch the force of the rains.

 

Figure 2: Ewé aró; Japanese Indigo plant; indigofera tinctoria (Ken, 2020, Samantha Jane, 2016).

 

She affirms that, after bruising and pealing the indigo plant, it turns to blue black mass which the dyer (Ìyá Ìdòwú Aláró ) scoops put with her hands and mould into balls. These balls are displayed in the sun in sizes in different districts; hence they are generally the size of tennis balls or bigger than it slightly. She reiterates that wood ashes (àwọ́n eérú igi) are important material for this dyeing because it’s a fixing agent, and is usually prepared in a kiln. The kiln where the woods are burnt is made of mud or red-earth (amọ̀ pupa). This ash as fixing agent could be derived through burning dry wood and thereafter mixed with the water from the leave (indigofera) pulp mixture; it was rolled into balls and dry. After the ash balls (àwọn eérú tí a ṣù rúgúdú-rúgúdú) have dried, some short sticks will be arranged inside a wide open pot to serve as sieve and place the ash balls on the sticks. Gently and continuously pour water over these balls and allow filtering into the pot, you will always replace with fresh ash ball until the dye pot (ìkòkò aró) is full.

Now, with enough mordant water sieved from the ash balls, you will add about forty to fifty dried indigo balls depending on the size of dye pot (ìkòkò aró) and stirred thoroughly. Leave the composition to ferment for between five and seven days. The sign of readiness will feature a blue slum on the surface and yellowish green under the surface of the solution. Wet the fabric, dip it into the dye pot (ìkòkò aró) several times and over a long period of time, about two to three days to get deep rich indigo colour. Remove the fabric, wash, and rinse, starch, dry, and iron. Oyedun (2013), Ibrahim-Banjoko (2009), also affirms this traditional indigo method of dyeing fabrics. Lupo (2000) asserts further that aside dark blue (indigo), leaves and bark of many plants and trees are used in producing other colour of dyes at stated in the abstract of this study above, to avoid unnecessary tautology            

 

Synthetic Indigo Dye (SID)

Gardi, (1999) states that Japanese herbalists developed range of natural dyes. One of the most common was indigo, which became the Japanese national colour for work wears. Until the 1850s all dyes were natural in origin. Then a great deal of research into chemical dye stuffs began and the sciences became highly developed in France, Germany, and England. According to Gardi, (1999), Lupo (2000), Williams, (2020), Maiwa, (2013) W.H. Perkin an English chemist, was searching for a cure for malaria, a synthetic quinine; accidentally discovered and produced the first synthetic dye called mauve in 1856. He found that the oxidation of aniline could colour silk. From a coal tar derivative he made a reddish purple dye (mauve). This marked the beginning of dyes stuffs industries and the production of synthetic dyes till present. Many colours were produced in an effort to provide colourful fabrics to people of all economic levels. The chemical dyes were so successful that the beginning of twentieth century synthetic dyes was used for most of the coloured textiles produced in Europe and America (Gardi, 1999, Lupo, 2000, Williams, 2020, Maiwa, 2013). Because they are made in scientific formulae, the same colour can be reproduced and exactly matched likewise different types of dyes through the use of computer colour matching (CCM). Scientists continue to research dye development and today textile industries and manufacturers have thousands of different colours to choose from and dye types. The Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) and American Association of Textile Chemists and Colourist (AATCC) classify dyes by their chemical composition; either by hue or method of application, they include; acid dyes, azoic dyes, basic dyes, disperse dyes, direct dyes, pigment dyes, sulphur dyes, vat dyes, and reactive dyes. Space does not permit us to explain them here.

                                   

Figure 3: The model of local indigo dye (LID), synthetic indigo dye (SID and quality utility (QU) (Authors, 2020).

 

The above model indicates that both the local indigo and synthetic indigo dyes (aró ìbílẹ̀ àti ti òyìnbó ) have quality utilities on the fabrics in our society irrespective of the texture of the indigo. The quality utility of any indigo dye depends on the choice and taste of the individual who desire to have the fabric. In this regard, indigo dyes (local and synthetic) cannot be abandoned or swept under carpet in Nigeria, and Africa at large.

 

Patterns/Designs in LID and SID Fabrics

There are various patterns and designs (ona) used on the fabric of both the LID and SID, these designs include simple repeat pattern, half drop repeat pattern, counter-change repeat pattern, half slide repeat pattern, full drop repeat pattern, mirror repeat pattern, block repeat pattern, scale style repeat pattern, all over repeat pattern, diamond repeat pattern, face to face repeat pattern, ogee repeat pattern, diagonal repeat pattern, and host of others. Apart from all these repeat pattern/designs mentioned above, other forms of motif arrangement can still be practised since art is expressive in nature (oyedun, 2013). 

 

2.     METHODOLOGY

 

Dyeing Techniques

Dyeing techniques according to Ọ̀ṣíbẹ̀rù, (2002); Ibrahim-Banjoko, (2009); Oyedun, (2013) are perceived as follows:

 

1)    Sewing technique or Tritik or Stitching: In most tie-dye countries the sewing or tritik method has been used. In West Africa today, sewing methods, with fine strand of raffia or baby wool are the sewing thread that are widely practiced. The success of the sewing method is entirely dependent on the ability to draw up the material into gather so closely on the sewing thread that the dye cannot penetrate into it. The fold stitching is a method that requires needles and sometimes the use of sewing machine to create faster and more interesting designs.

2)    Àdìrẹ Eléso (with seeds): This technique produce small aides on the dyed background first, collect small pebbles or seeds of guinea corn, beans or maize, according to how small you want the circles to be. Plan your design very well, put a seed on the wrong side of the cloth, and then tie raffia found the seed on the right side of the cloth. Using a knot and cut the end of the raffia with scissors or razor blade and go to the next seed.

3)    Knotting Method: One of the easiest and quickest ways of producing a dyed texture is to reduce the length of fabric into knots (róbóróbó). This can be tied in several ways, depending on the size, shape and grain of the cloth.

4)    Rope Method: A most attractive pattern of the dyeing can be achieved using rope. This diamonds and narrow stripes can be made by using a length of rope with yam fabric. Take a piece of guinea brocade, lay it on a clean flat table, and place a length of rope on one side of the cloth.

5)    Rolling Technique: The fabric is roll into shape before dyeing. The rolling can be diagonally or straight stripe. This technique has some limitations. When the fabric is rolled and tired and dyed it is only the outer layers that absorb the dye better than the inner layer, thereby making the fabric to have a large area without colour.

6)    Marbling Technique: This technique gives a varied cloud like or marble texture. Sometimes the result took as if the fabric; had been caught in a shower of coloured rain. It is easy to do you simply crumple up a pierce of the cloth in your hands until it forms a tight ball.

7)    Tying or knotting Technique: This technique produce circles on the dyed background. First look at your cloth carefully and plan your design. Mark out some spot with a 2B pencil and tie it gradually with raffia and build it tightly around the smoothed fabric wrong up towards the tip leave the end of the building raffia exposed. Bind back down the smoothed cloth over the first layer of building pulling the raffia tightly. It ends up with a knot.

8)    Folding Technique: Many striking patterns and effects, especially snipes are produced by the folding techniques, combined with binding. To get the best result, this method calls for very accurate workmanship generally speaking; very narrow stripes should be used for medium to wide stripes.

9)    Clips and Peg Technique: The using of clips and peg has limitation. Clips and pegs can be used to hold the fabric whilst dying, fold the fabric into shape then hold with bull dog clips or pegs and dye it to acquire the desired design.

10) Pouring or Splashing Technique: Here, the fabric is spread on the ground and different dye colours are pour or splash skilfully on the fabric to achieve beautiful effects and design.

 

Dyeing Processes

The fabric to be dyed must be clean of dirt’s and sizes. Make sure all sizing (starching) are removed by washing vigorously with soap and hot water. Then, plan your design by dying cloth in any combination. Mix dye thoroughly as indicated by the manufacturer (package/instruction) thereafter, dip material in warm water before dyeing. This will tighten the tied string and also conforms to the dyeing instructions on the dye box. Squeeze out excess water. Place/dip fabric in dye solution (aró) and stir constantly with stick or hand (use rubber gloves – ìbọ̀wọ́ onírọ́bà) so that the material will be dyed evenly. Leave the material in dye for only a few minutes or as you desire (may be longer) but not unnecessarily longer, so the dye will not penetrate the tied areas. You can now remove the fabric from dye and rinse in cold water (you may store away the dye for immediate use). If another colour is to be used, untie the strings desired re-die fabric other spots and put in next colour dye solution. Start with the lightest colour and end with the darkest e.g. yellow should come before blue, orange before purple and so on. Finally you can allow it to drip dry or squeeze out excess water and press dyed fabric with hot iron when it still damp which will also help set the colours.

 

Figure 4A-D: Indigo dyeing processes; Research Assistant Adéwuyì O.M. at work (Authors, 2020).

 

3.     ANALYSIS, RESULT, AND DISCUSSION

 

KEY: H = High, M = Medium and L = Low

 

Table 1A: BROWN COLOUR, COLOUR FASTNESS

LOCAL DYE                                                       IMPORTANT DYE

H   M           L                                           H            M           L

Replicate I               -              -              3                                           Replicate I                        -                4             -

Replicate II              -              5             -                                            Replicate II                       -                5             -

Total                                         8                                                          Total 9

B. COLOUR INTENSITY

LOCAL DYE                                                                         IMPORTANT DYE

H   M           L                                           H            M           L

Replicate I               -              -              3                                           Replicate I                        -                4             -

Replicate II              -              6             -                                            Replicate II                       6               5             -

Total                                         9                                                          Total  10

 

C. CONSUMER APPEAL

LOCAL DYE                                                                         IMPORTANT DYE

H   M           L                                           H            M           L

Replicate I               -              -              3                                           Replicate I                        -                3             -

Replicate II              -              6             -                                            Replicate II                       -               5             -

Total                                         9                                                          Total  8

 

Table 2A: BLUE COLOUR, COLOUR FASTNESS

LOCAL DYE                                                          IMPORTANT DYE

H   M           L                                           H            M           L

Replicate I               -              5             4                                           Replicate I                        -                5             -

Replicate II              6             -              -                                            Replicate II                       -               7             -

Total                                         10                                                       Total  12

 

B. COLOUR INTENSITY

LOCAL DYE                                                                         IMPORTANT DYE

H   M           L                                           H            M           L

Replicate I               -              5             -                                            Replicate I                        -                4             -

Replicate II              7             -              -                                            Replicate II                       6               -              -

Total                                         12                                                       Total  10

 

 

C. CONSUMER’S APPEAL

LOCAL DYE                                                                         IMPORTANT DYE

H   M           L                                           H            M           L

Replicate I               -              3             -                                            Replicate I                        -                4             -

Replicate II              7             -              -                                            Replicate II                       -               7             -

Total                                         10                                                       Total  11

 

Table 3A: RED COLOUR, COLOUR FASTNESS

LOCAL DYE                                                          IMPORTANT DYE

H   M           L                                           H            M           L

Replicate I               -              3             -                                            Replicate I                        -                5             -

Replicate II              7             -              -                                            Replicate II                       -               7             -

Total                                         10                                                       Total  12

 

B. COLOUR INTENSITY

LOCAL DYE                                                                         IMPORTANT DYE

H   M           L                                           H            M           L

Replicate I               -              5             -                                            Replicate I                        -                5             -

Replicate II              6             -              -                                            Replicate II                       7               -              -

Total                                         11                                                       Total  12

 

C.CONSUMER’S APPEAL

LOCAL DYE                                                                         IMPORTANT DYE

H   M           L                                           H            M           L

Replicate I               -              5             -                                            Replicate I                        -                -              3

Replicate II              7             -              -                                            Replicate II                       8               -              -

Total                                         12                                                       Total  11

 

Table 4A: YELLOW COLOUR, COLOUR FASTNESS

LOCAL DYE                                                          IMPORTANT DYE

H   M           L                                           H            M           L

Replicate I               -              5             -                                            Replicate I                        -                -              3

Replicate II              7             -              -                                            Replicate II                       -               5             -

Total                                         12                                                       Total  8

 

B. COLOUR INTENSITY

LOCAL DYE                                                                         IMPORTANT DYE

H   M           L                                           H            M           L

Replicate I               -              5             3                                           Replicate I                        6               -              -

Replicate II              8             -              -                                            Replicate II                       8               -              -

Total                                         13                                                       Total  14

 

C. CONSUMER’ SAPPEAL

LOCAL DYE                                                                         IMPORTANT DYE

H   M           L                                           H            M           L

Replicate I               -              -              3                                           Replicate I                        -                -              4

Replicate II              7             -              -                                            Replicate II                       6               -              -

Total                                         10                                                       Total  10

 

From the table 4A, B, C in relation to colour yellow; it shows that there is no significant difference between the local and imported dye, the reason is that F calculated is less than tabulated. Below is the key to the abbreviation use the collection of the sample.

 

4.     PERCENTAGE AND FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION QUALITY OF COLOUR LOCAL AND IMPOTED DYES

 

Table 5: Colour Fastness, Colour Intensity, and Consumer’s Appeal

 

The data in the table 5 above shows that in the utilization of local dye and colour fastness and consumer’s appeal is little higher in imported dye but has lower colour intensity compare with that of local dye. The difference is insignificant and can be due to some factors in the preparation of local dye.

 

 

 

 

5.     QUALITY DISTRIBUTION OF RED COLOUR

 

Table 6: Colour Fastness, Colour Intensity, and Consumer’s Appeal

 

The data in the table 6 above shows that the quality of imported dye in terms of colour fastness and colour intensity is little higher than that of local dye. This could be as result of factors in the preparation of the local dye because the difference is significant.

 

6.     QUALITY DISTRIBUTION OF BROWN COLOUR

 

Table 7: Colour Fastness, Colour Intensity, and Consumer’s appeal

 

The data in the table 7 above shows that the quality of imported dye in terms of colour fastness and colour intensity is little higher than that of local dye. This could be as result of factors in the preparation of the local dye.

 

7.     CALCULATION OF MEAN AND STANDARD DEVIATION OF COLOUR

 

Local                          =             A

Imported   =             B

X                   =             Mean

                     =             Standard Deviation

 

BLUE COLOUR

A   B                           (A-X)                    (AX)²                    (B – X)  (B – X)²

Colour Fastness   10                         11                         -067                     0.45                      0.33       0.11

Colour Intensity  12                         10                         1.33                      1.77                      -0.67       0.45

Customer’s appeal               10          11          -0.67                    0.65                      0,33                0.11

X   =             10.67                   10.67

2.67                                           0.67

J     =             1.63       =             0.82

 

RED COLOUR

A   B                           (A-X)                    (A-X)²                  (B-X)                    (B-X)²

Colour Fastness   10                         12 -1                    1 0                        0

Colour Intensity  13                         14 2                     4 4                        4

Customer’s appeal            10                         10 -1                    -1-2                      4

X   =             11                                        12

6                                  8

J = 2.45       =             2.83

 

YELLOW COLOUR

A   B                           (A-X)                    (A-X)²                  (B-X)                    (B-X)²

Colour Fastness   12                         8 0.33                  0.11   -2.33        5.43

Colour Intensity  11                         12 -0.67              0.45       1.67       2.79

Customer’s appeal            12                         11 0.33               0.11       0.6         0.45

35                               31 0.67               867

X   =             11.67                                  10.33

√0.67                          √8.67

J     =             082                      =             294

 

BROWN COLOUR

A   B                           (A-X)                    (A-X)²                  (B-X)                    (B-X)²

Colour Fastness     8 9                        -1.33                    1.77                      0.  00

Colour Intensity    11 10                1.67                         2.79                      11

Customer’s appeal               9 8                        0.33                      0.11                      -11

28 27                         4.67                      2

X   =             9.33                                     9.00

√467                           √2

J     =             2.16                      =             141

 

8.     RESULT OF THE TESTS OF HYPOTHESIS

 

HO: There is no significant difference between the utilization of local and imported dye in the quality of textile in relation to colours.

 

Table 8: analysis of variance of blue (Indigo) colour between local and imported dyes

LOCAL DYE                                           IMPORTED DYE

Colour Fastness                                   10                                                       11

Colour Intensity                                  12                                                       10

Customer’s Appeal                             10                                                       11

 

 

DF = Degree of freedom

From the table 8 above there is relationship between the local dye and imported dye since F. calculated is less than F. tabulated, we therefore reject the well hypothesis and conclude that there is no significant difference between the local dye and imported dyes in relation to blue colour.

 

HYPOTHESIS 4

HO: There is no significant different between the utilization of local and imported dye in the quality of textile in relation to colour.

 

Table 9: YELLOW COLOUR

LOCAL DYE       IMPORTED DYE

Colour Fastness                                                  12                         8

Colour Intensity                                                 11                         12

Customer’s appeal                                             12                         11

 

DF from the table 9 in relation to colour yellow, it shows that there is no significant difference between the local and imported dye, the reason is that calculated is less than tabulated.

9.     CONCLUSION

 

Besides plain indigo dyeing, Àdìrẹ the resist pattern dyeing, was an important industry at time, it employed a high percentage of the local population of people by then. As a result of the skills of these people a thriving trade, it was established earlier in this century Adire cloth and plain indigo dyes clothes were in high demand. For this reason for new effort is being made to use a type which will remain fast.

Much wealth was derived from the scale of these indigo dyes fabrics (IDF). In fact, dyeing which is one of the artistic heritages of Yorùbá's notably Abẹ́òkúta has contributed in no small measure to the social and economic development of the dyeing (Àdìrẹ) generally.

Socially, tradition indigo dyes cloths are worn as wrappers by women. They are seeing into skirt and blouse for ladies as well as jumpers for men and even shorts. Expatriate women buy indigo dyes cloth for clothing and more often for household such as curtains; cushion cover tats table cloths and their country of origin. In fact the old method of traditional indigo is at present however witness a great decline for example only few dyeing pots now remain iii the town unlike before where nearly every homage has a dyeing pots (àwọn ìkòkò aró).

The first notable factor is the contact with the western culture and education, the apprenticeship has now given way to the formal schools where they would be given white collars jobs after graduation. This has equally left the dyeing profession in the hand of few elderly women who have lucrative jobs to dyeing. Most people are now drifting from rural areas to the urban centres. Indigo plant which was formerly cultivated in open farm land is no longer cultivated. It is now difficult to find indigo era plants in nearby areas. The dyers now have to travel long distances to rural areas to obtain indigo plants which are sold exorbitant prices. The scarcity of indigofera plant has led to the increase in the price of dyeing and this has led to the increase in utilization of synthetic dyes.

The increase in Europe printed fabrics in the 1960s took over from the traditional indigo dyed cloth (TTDC). Since the few people begin to cherish their cultural heritage whereby people are now gradually demanding for locally indigo dyed fabrics, more attention should be given to TTDC. Again the nature of indigo dyeing itself shows that it is a profession for adult who have stop child bearing. Because the discoloration of the hand and feet does not favoured by the young ones, hence, they despite indigo dyeing.

Finally, the fact that the craft still survives in few places does not mean that nothing should be done to ravine or encourage its utilization.

 

10.  RECOMMENDATIONS

 

The following recommendations are made for indigo continuous practice and survival:

Traditional indigo dyeing (TID) should be incorporated into the textile curriculum of schools (secondary and tertiary). Indigenous dyer or experts should be invited to demonstrate the crafts to the youth and constant excursion to dyeing depots should also be made.

Secondly, government should encourage the planting of indigofera plants as part of campaign for tree planning in order to have enough plants for extraction of indigo dyes.

Thirdly, government should sponsor necessary research programme on dyeing and allow mass importation of the various dyeing chemicals such as caustic soda and indigo crystals.

Workshops, seminars and exhibitions could serve as meeting forum for dyers to exchange ideas. Likewise, local indigo fabric cultural carnival and competition (LIFCCC) should be organised annually to celebrate this heritage. 

Finally, our museums and galleries should embark on the collection of indigo textile materials and display them for people to appreciate and consume.

 

SOURCES OF FUNDING

 

None.

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

None.

REFERENCES

 

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