Traditional Yoruba Adire Eleko & Tie-Dye with Indigo
With Gasali Adeyemo
This program is part of Handwork 2026, presented by Craft in America
In this workshop, you will learn two traditional Yoruba techniques for using indigo: Adire Eleko and Tie-Dye.
Adire Eleko is the process of creating designs using cassava paste (also called yucca), a small broom, and a chicken feather. Tie-Dye is the process of using raffia to tie fabric and then dying the fabric.
In addition to these dye techniques, you will also learn about Yoruba culture and the meaning behind the designs you will create.
Across the four days, you will learn the processes behind Adire Eleko and tie-dye from start to finish.
Adire Eleko
For Adire Eleko, you will learn how to:
- Prepare the paste and recreate this process at home.
- Practice both techniques of adire: using a stencil and creating patterns by hand.
- Prepare indigo after creating the designs and dye your work.
- Remove the cassava from their work at the end of the dyeing process.
Tie-Dye
For Tie-Dye, you will learn how to:
- Create a resist using two different methods: stitch resist (using a needle to stitch raffia into fabric) and using raffia to create designs by hand.
- Dye the fabric and remove the raffia.
History of Indigo Dyeing
Gasali Adeyemo primarily uses indigo dye in his workshops. Indigo is an organic substance from the indigo plant, which grows wild in Nigeria. During the beginning of the rainy season, people harvest then dry the leaves. After they dry, they form the leaves into little balls to prepare the dye.
Yoruba people have used indigo as a dye for a very long time. The Yoruba name for indigo is “elu”. Since the olden days, people used indigo for medicine as well as a dye; it cures an upset stomach. People also use indigo to ward off viruses, with Yoruba people painting houses with indigo to prevent the sickness from entering.
Four-Day Workshop
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Friday, November 20, 2026
Saturday, November 21, 2026
- Skill level Beginner +
- Age appropriate 16+ (minors must have a parent on site)
- Materials fee $40 (includes cassava, adire tools, raffia, indigo, and a handout)
- Students should bring
5 yards of 100% white cotton PFD (prepared for dyeing) fabric, rubber gloves, apron, notebook and pen. *Optional - you can also bring a tote bag or scarf as long as they are 100% cotton or silk. If you have a favorite pair of scissors you'd like to use during the workshop, bring that. Otherwise scissors will be provided.
Instructor
Gasali AdeyemoGasali Adeyemo is the third born of five from the small village, Ofatedo, located in Nigeria. His mother was his first and most important teacher in learning the traditional arts of the Yoruba Tribe. In 1990 he attended the Nike Center for Arts and Culture, where he remained for a total of six years studying traditional Yoruba batik, adire eleko, tie-dye and indigo. Eventually the opportunity to exhibit his work and travel outside of Nigeria presented itself. This experience opened the door to greater opportunities and Gasali has since been traveling the world conducting workshops and exhibitions. His recent workshops include Aya Fiber Studio, Mendocino Art Center, and John Campbell Folk School. In the future, Gasali plans to continue to travel worldwide, sharing the arts and culture of the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
