Some plates from “Nigeria in Costume” published by the Shell Company of Nigeria to mark Nigerian Independence in 1960 and with a foreword by the then Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Fifty years on this book is a very obscure curiosity and I was pleased to find a copy in one of the few surviving bookshops in Charing Cross Road. The plates are of paintings by John Danford.
 | A Yoruba oba (king.) |
 | Festival dress for the Ekong dance, Ibibio |
 | A District Head - Kano |
 | The Akpan Masquerade Womens’ Dress - Efik |
 | Akenzua II – Oba of Benin |
 | Agbada Dress - Yoruba |
 | Yoruba Girl |
 | Chief Ekperegin Olu Warri Osemme of Warri - Urhobo |
 | Ilorin Weaver |
 | An Egba Chief wearing the ceremonial dress of the Ogboni fraternity - Yoruba |
What a fascinating, and by todays standards, a fairly unique find.
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