Lagos residents applaud innovation to tying of headgear , a.k. a. “Gele’’

Some Lagos residents on Wednesday applauded the continuous innovation being introduced to the tying of the traditional headgear popularly called “Gele’’.

The residents in separate interview with newsmen in Lagos said that new method known as, “Auto-Gele’’ was very creative and making traditional dressing convenient.

They explained that the “auto-gele’’, a ready-made form of headgear could be tied within a few minutes thus eliminating the stress women used to pass through before tying a perfect normal headgear.

Mr Clement Silas, an auto-spare part seller, told newsmen that the invention of already-made “auto-gele’’ was a welcome development to him.

He said that he had discovered that it was stress-free for women who adorn the “auto-gele’’ compared to those who buy-in into tying the normal ones.

Silas added that it was not time consuming particularly in a situation where one was in a hurry to go out.

“As a man, l will go for the “auto-gele’’ because it saves me the stress of waiting hours unending for my wife who had to spend much time applying her make-up before tying her head gear.

“Since the time l saw her with the already-made headgear, l

have been encouraging her to go for more in different shapes and sizes.

“Though, my wife thinks it is for her but the bottom-line is that l love the fact that I am free from her endless time wasting.

“I will wait for her to finish tying her headgear or for someone to do it for her. The worst is when she tells you she is going to do it at a stylist’s shop.’’

Mrs Omotosho Ayorinde, a social worker, told newsmen that wearing head gears was a very common piece of accessory among Yoruba and Igbo women during traditional and social events.

“ Wearing head gears has become a fashion statement and the George wrapper and blouse will be incomplete without the headgear accompanying it.

“It comes in different materials and styles and with each passing day, there is a re-invention of the different styles of  head gears that women wear.

“Therefore, l am happy that the tying of headgear is taking a whole lot of new dimension with the ready-made version.’’

Ayorinde said that women who did not know how to tie the natural head gears should contact make-up artists to give them elegantly designed head gears.

“No woman should give any excuses that she cannot make her own  head gears because, the ready-made ones are very handy in the market now.’’

According to Oluwaseun Akande, “tying headgear the normal way allows for a variety of styles.

Akande said that there were styles such as: Face-your husband “Kojusoko’’, High-rise building “Onilegogoro’’, National theatre, Butterfly, “Orente’’, Rose and Icon, among others.

“Concentrating on “Auto-gele’’ will put a limit to the styles we can tie and present us as if we are copying the developed world’s culture.”

Oluwajuwonlo Ebenmosi, a food vendor said, “the invention of ready-made head gears  had helped to reduce the stress and long process accompanying tying the natural  head gears  for socials or parties, popularly called “owambe’’.

“Embracing the wearing of “auto-gele’’ will be of great benefit to the economy of our country and interested individuals can take it up as a profession.

“This will reduce the unemployment rate in the society,’’ she said.

Also, Pelumi Onijala, an insurance broker, said that once a woman had a ready-made head gears  in her wardrobe, she would not need to patronise a headgear stylist in case of an event to attend.

Mr Nojeemdeen Oyatola, however,  told newsmen that adopting the ready-made  head gears  would have several implications that could affect the values placed on it culturally.

“It will encourage laziness among women. They will rather do the easy one than going through the process lain down by our mothers.

“It can make them forget how our ancestors were doing things thereby assisting our cultures go into extinction.’’

Mrs Fadekemi Adelaja, an educationist, condemned it, saying that “Auto-gele’’ would never be very firm on the head compared to the naturally-tied ones.

Adelaja said that people should continue to preserve their African cultural values.

She said they should not allow the young ones to devalue them by embracing foreign influences spiced with laziness and lackadaisical attitudes.

“My daughters know that it is a must for them to tie their head gears  for outings. No matter how horrible it looks, they must wear them like that.

“I do not allow anyone to do it for them.  I won’t allow them wear a ready-made or mummy-made head gears, it is their culture and they must promote it.

“Now they are better at tying their own head gears and l see some of their friends come to the house to beg them to help them with theirs.’’

Mrs Olapemi Adeleke of Ennies Makeover, a headgear stylist told newsmen that, “Auto-gele’’ cannot be as firm as the traditional mode of tying it.

“It is preferable for normal outings but not for brides. We pay so much attention to bride’s head gears.

“All women want to look stunning on their big day so it is important that each layer is properly put in place.

“Our mothers tie their head gears in the traditional way, why can’t we follow suit?’’ she said.

NAN

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