Exploring Color Fastness and Textile Properties in Traditional Alaari Fabrics of the Ondo Yoruba People of Nigeria

Abstract Traditional hand-woven fabrics (Aso Oke) play a vital role in Yoruba culture, especially during special events; however, the use of older fabrics like Alaari is declining. Nevertheless, the Ondo-Yoruba people continue to preserve and repurpose these traditional textiles. This study investigates the color fastness and textile properties of Alaari fabrics to assess their aesthetic and economic value in relation to their age. A laboratory rubbing test was conducted on 60 samples of used Alaari fabrics to evaluate their yarn, dye, and texture. Data were collected through oral interviews and observations. The results from the rubbing test revealed that most Alaari fabrics exhibited minimal color bleeding when dry, with fabric number 53 achieving the highest score of 2.5. However, over 90% of the fabrics were not colorfast, contradicting the common belief that older Alaari fabrics possess greater colorfastness than newer ones. This study concludes that there is no significant relationship between the economic value of old Alaari fabrics and their color fastness. Keywords: Color fastness, Textile Properties, Traditional Alaari Fabrics, Ondo-Yoruba People.