(Pronounced ASHO EYBEE)
Nigerian outfits made from matching fabric to be worn by a group of
people to a party, wedding, or funeral as a uniform. Wearing a certain
aso ebi identifies the group of wearers. For instance, at a wedding, all the bride's friends might wear blue and
gold, the bride's family might wear white and
gold, and the groom's friends might wear black and
pink, and so on. Usually at weddings, the various fabrics for the aso ebi are decided by the bride, and are then announced to all the guests months in advance so they can prepare their outfits. Guests are usually expected to buy the aso ebi from the bride, but close friends and family members and certain prominent individuals
may be presented with the aso ebi as a
gift. Aso ebi for parties and funerals are generally simple, but aso ebi for weddings
may involve many complex changes with entirely different aso ebi for different days of the wedding, and for the reception.
My
five best friends and I all wore
aso ebi to my sister's wedding.
I know I was invited to the wedding but I can't afford the
aso ebi so I'm not going.
What stunning aso ebi!