Divination is a universally integral system exercised within a religious or spiritual context. As it is notably known as geomancy in Europe, and Iching in Chinese.
While in the spectrum of this collection, a primary focus is given to the Yoruba historically long tradition of ifa.
The collection “Divination” is inspired by the “Ifá” system of the Yoruba in southwest Nigeria. The Ifá literary corpus called “ódù” consists of 256 parts subdivided into verses called “Ẹ́sẹ̀”, whose exact number is beyond calculation.
However, divination in the Yoruba tradition is not primarily a system of fortune telling, but it is concerned with practical problems and it seeks information, from which practical decisions can be made.
The introduction of the Yoruba traditional motifs in the designs bear importance to the source recognition. This historic traditional link is created by incorporating the simple but vital elements of the divination practice. The cowrie shells which are considered the mouth of the oracle as well as the divination chain (Ọ̀pẹ̀lẹ̀).
This collection seeks to create and preserve the blend in cultural understanding and modern fashion trends in the form of various contemporary fashion style.
This collection explores the beauty of the underutilized “Funtua” (a locally produced textile from the northern part of Nigeria).
With Love,
Femi Ajose
Creative Director, Cute-Saint
FB/IG: @cutesaint.ng
