HISTORY: Women In Abeokuta–1930

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 By Victor Olubiye


In the background stands the residence of Rev. H.W. Stacey, the trailblazing founder of the Methodist Junior School in Abeokuta.

The woman dressed in white is his wife, Mrs. Stacey, who was also an educator.

Have you observed the two distinct styles of attire? And the women's feet?

The formal outfit represents the "Anglo-Egba" fashion—a style influenced by British culture and embraced by formerly enslaved returnees. In Wole Soyinka’s memoir, You Must Set Forth at Dawn, he describes these two dominant categories of women in colonial Egba society: Oníkàbà (gown wearers) and Aròso (wrapper wearers).


Photo credit: Her granddaughter, Kate Cutler (née Stacey).


Historical Context:

In 1846, missionaries arrived in Abeokuta, making it the first Yoruba settlement to host such visitors. This moment laid the groundwork for the town’s leadership in Yoruba education. By 1850, its population had skyrocketed to 100,000, quadrupling that of Cape Town at the time and equaling nearly one-fifth of Manhattan Island's residents.

The 1895 extension of the railway network from Lagos to Abeokuta spurred further growth, strengthening its ties to an agrarian economy primarily centered on palm oil, palm kernels, kola nuts, and later, cocoa production.

Abeokuta’s economy thrived due to the strong presence of female leaders and merchants, who played a crucial role in commerce and trade.

Source: Mayowa Blades

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