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Traditional Indigo Dyeing before visiting the dyer we first have a bath

Some socio-cultural traditions include: before visiting a man the dyer must first have a bath; wicked individuals can somehow destroy the dye; and to learn the skill you must buy a living chicken, take its blood, take an oath near the dye pot, then cook and eat the chicken. Also needed for this ceremony is a piece of white cotton cloth, a knife or matchet, a calabash, kola nuts, a mat, rice, a hoe, and a fee of about $50. It is believed this is done because at death these items above are used to prepare the corpse and the grave. It is also believed that if the person preparing the dye is menstruating, the dye will be polluted and will produce a foul odor. This is also a traditional belief in Mali and in Egypt, where it is believed that failure of the dye crop to thrive is due to the pas sage past the field of a menstruating woman.

Until the late 1940s, the local methods of dye preparation were still very complex and diverse, involving the use of over 20 plant species. However with time, the number of plants required to produce a successful indigo vat have been reduced to three main ones. Dyeing by the experts in this local craft industry (small and large scale), illustrates a developed use of materials found in the environment for the adornment of clothing, which was always highly valued by the people. However the actual origin of the dyeing process and the patterning in Africa still remains unsolved.

Now gara (natural and synthetic) with various designs (tie-dye, wax, and paste) is worn mainly for fashion and has commanded a high demand in many countries; e.g., the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and many African countries.