In keeping with the tradition of equipping young people with skills for positive development, AHI organized skill acquisition training on Adire Eleko, which took place from February 9 to March 8 2008. The training, which was aimed at empowering young people economically and helping them improve their creative ability, was facilitated by Mr. Sola Ajiboye a youth who loves creativity and regular user of AHI's youth centre facility.

The duration of the training was five weeks (Saturdays only). This was to give participants adequate time to acquire essential skills in making Adire (Indigo).The    programme was divided into two aspects:

1. Theory: This was done in the first two (2) classes, February 9 and 16. The sessions took place in the IEC room.
2. Practical: This was done on three (3) Saturdays, February 23, March 1 and 8. The session took place in a classroom at Fadeyi Primary School, Onayade. This was after due consultation with and permission from the appropriate authority.

The following were the objectives of the training:

• To help young people acquire skills in making Adire Eleko
• To help young people become economically empowered thus enabling them to be self-reliant
• To help them discover and build their creative abilities

Skills Acquired in theory sessions

1. "Beyond Indigo patterns, meanings and drawing"

The facilitator taught participants the various patterns designed on cloths and their meaning. Participants with the aid of sharp pencils sketched the various patterns in drawing books. They were taught to hold pencil freely in their hands. No shading or erasing is required.

Participants were taught thirty different patterns. Below are some of the patterns learnt:

• Lame Man's Knees (Orokun Aro) meaning a leg that walk in a zig - zag is seen by an eye that sees in a zig - zag.
• Maracas (Sekere) meaning a spectator does not know what a dancer sees
• Matches (Isana) meaning he whose house is on fire does not go to sleep
• Mirror (Digi) meaning the mother is like a gold whilst the father is like a mirror. Children like mirroring their fathers.
• Pillars of Mapo meaning the pillars of the household is that strong member shouldering many responsibilities
• Umbrella meaning we do not carry a king's load and perspire
• Water meaning the stream will dry but the water course retains its name.
• Comb (Iyari) meaning I am upset with you now and I comb my hair in anger
• Talking drum meaning if the drum is not made it is the fault of the master. If the drum is not beaten, it is the fault of the boys.
• My head is correct (ori mi pe) meaning my brain is correct

2. Mixture of colours and chemicals

Here, participants learnt the different colours for dying adire. For example, Indigo is formed when purple and navy blue colours are mixed together. For Batik, orange colour can be used which is a mixture of deep blue and deep red. Mixture of light green and yellow gives lemon while white and deep yellow will give yellow. These various colours can be used for batik.

Mr. Ajiboye stressed the need to know mixture of colours because this is essential in adire making. Chemicals used for adire indigo are soda, solite and dye. These chemicals are corrosive and therefore must be handled with care.

Skills acquired in practical sessions

1. Pencil design and tracing

Participants were divided into four groups. Group members worked together to trace selected designs on "teru" cloth.

2. Melting of wax and waxing

Group members with the aid of specially designed foam traced designs on their piece of cloth using melted wax. They were taught   to make their hand free during this exercise and that shading or erasing are not required. In adire making, mistakes during pencil tracing and waxing can even add beauty and uniqueness to the cloth.

Wax should neither be too hot because this will delay drying nor cold.   To have a neat end product, tracing should be done neatly and lines should be traced out thinly.

3. Mixture of chemicals, dyes and dying

Participants learnt mixture of chemicals/dyes, measurement of quantity in order to use correct proportions and dying. Eight spoons each of soda and solite were put in a bowl , then navy blue dye and purple dye were added . These colours can be used when one is unable to get the original indigo.   After mixing the contents, boiling water was added to the mixture. The cloths were then dipped inside little by little to allow the dye get into all parts of the cloth.

The cloths were rinsed with adequate water to remove every trace of the dye. Participants were told the importance of rinsing off the dye completely. This is to prevent the cloth from bleaching later.

4. Dewaxing and rinsing

The dyed cloths were removed after dying. Boiling water was poured inside a bowl and the cloths were dipped inside. The hot water is meant to melt the wax on the cloth.

To prevent wastage, removed wax can be removed from the water and used again. The cloths were rinsed several times with adequate water to remove all the wax.

5. Ironing

This is the last stage in adire making. Participants were taught the old way of ironing adire, which is done by beating the cloth with a specially designed wooden stick. Nowadays, electric iron can be used. This is easier and faster. Clothe must be ironed well and folded neatly.

Practical test

A practical test was conducted on the last day of the training to test participants' understanding of what they have learned over the period of the training. Each participant produced adire indigo on their own following all the stages they were taught. Participants who did not have cloth were paired up with those who had.

The result was good as they were able to carry out the practical successfully.

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