BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
No Comments
As Nigerian fashionista Amaka Osakwe aptly puts it, “Jewelry is a powerful tool for storytelling… Each piece holds a memory, a symbol, or a message.” This resonates deeply when exploring the evolution of Nigerian jewelry in music, entertainment, and culture.
Beyond its artistic appeal, jewelry has long symbolized status, identity, and beauty in Nigerian culture. As the country celebrates its 64th anniversary, it’s essential to acknowledge jewelry’s transformative role in our cultural narrative.
From traditional cowry shells to contemporary diamond pieces, jewelry has shared Nigeria’s story, values, and creativity with the world. In music, jewelry has visually represented artistic identity, conveying messages of cultural pride, social style, and personal preference.
King Sunny Ade rocking his gold brass ring and beads
Legendary musicians like Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Hubert Ogunde, Oliver De Coque, and others have rocked iconic jewelry pieces. Fela’s rusty chains, beads, and cowry shells reflected his spiritual connection to his roots. Sunny Ade’s gold brass and hand beads embodied Yoruba royalty and wealth. Others, like Hubert Ogunde and Ebenezer Obey, opted for simple yet elegant beaded necklaces and bracelets.
Photo of Fela Kuti wearing a lengthy neck chain while playing the saxophone
Fast-forward to today, artists like Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Rema, and others have changed the accessory game. Diamond-encrusted grills, iced-out chains, and bold designs now dominate the music scene, reflecting their success and Afrobeats’ global appeal. Wizkid, for instance, has acquired pieces that reflect his achievements, circumstances, and memories. He owns a multi-million Naira customized Jesus pendant, reflecting his religious value, He also has a custom-made, diamond-encrusted chain which represents his stage name and alter ego, “Starboy, the list goes on and on.
Rema’s ornament of Ravery
We see Davido owning several custom-made diamond pieces like his Timeless Pendant, which celebrates his recent album and the lasting legacy of a united family; his DMW (Davido Music Worldwide) Pendant, which represents his record label; Ifeanyi’s pendant, which is also a tribute to his late son, Ifeanyi and so on. In the same manner, Wizkid owns a multi-million Naira customized Jesus pendant, reflecting his religious value; he also has a custom-made, diamond-encrusted chain that represents his stage name and alter ego, “Starboy; the list goes on and on.
Burnaboy, who prides on being called the African giant, broke the Internet last year when A Jewellers revealed his million-dollar ODG chain. Rema’s ornament of Ravery is another iconic one that chronicles his incredible journey in the music industry since 2018.
Burnaboy’s iconic ODG diamond-encrusted piece
We can go on and on highlighting more intriguing pieces from the Nigerian music stars of today but let’s pause to reflect on our rich identity and the never-give-up spirit that each of these music stars from decades ago and even now represent.
Despite influences from other cultures and a struggle with Western validation, Nigerians always find their way back to their roots. This resurgence underscores the significance of jewelry in Nigerian culture, transcending mere aesthetics to convey meaning and storytelling.
As Nigeria marks its 64th anniversary, we appreciate the nation’s rich cultural heritage and the role of jewelry in telling our history and values.
