Chinese guests rock Yoruba headties at Lagos gele festival

Chinese nationals attended the inaugural Lagos Gele Festival alongside Nigerians, proudly donning the traditional Yoruba headtie known as gele. Organized by the Lagos State Government in Lekki's Eko Amore Garden, the event showcased the artistry of gele styling for fashion practitioners, entertainers, cultural enthusiasts, and international guests.

The festival aimed to celebrate the Yoruba culture, promote gele styling as a source of employment and income, particularly for women and young people, and honour gele stylists, fabric makers, headtie artists, photographers, and women who have preserved the tradition over the years. A prize of ₦2 million was offered for the best gele design, highlighting the creativity and skill involved in crafting these elaborate headties.

While the winner of the competition remains undisclosed, the government plans to establish a database of creative industry practitioners to connect gele artists with event organizers, major functions, and tourism showcases across Lagos, aiming to build sustainable careers from their skills. Celebrities such as actress Sotayo Gaga, entertainer Bukky Wright, singer Darey Alade, and comedian Folagade Banks attended the event, further highlighting the cultural significance of the gele in the region's fashion and identity.