Traditional Yoruba Batik Using Multiple Colors

Join master dyer Gasali Adeyemo for a 5-day workshop in traditional Yoruba Batik from his native Nigeria. You will learn the cultural meaning behind the designs used and the techniques to execute them on fabric. This class is for students who would like to experiment more with color and learn how to use multiple colors within your batik.

Batik is the process of creating designs using wax.  The name for batik in the Yoruba tribe is adire alabela, which means wax resist. The wax can be applied to the fabric using wood stamps, stencils, or foam rubber. In the Yoruba culture, primarily foam rubber is used to apply the design to the fabric free hand.

Batik can be a way of applying many beautiful colors. Traditionally in Nigeria the dye used for batik fabrics is a dye called Jaman dye or Prosion dye, which are both colored dyes. However, indigo is currently the common dye used.

Following demonstrations, students will get plenty of hands on practice. In the end you will have mastered the highly specific step by step process to achieve traditional Yoruba batik.

Skills and Techniques:

• How to apply and remove wax efficiently
• Methods of applying dye to fabric
• How to work color into your Indigo design

Materials Fee: $60 paid directly to the instructor.

Special Tools or Equipment to bring: Each student should bring: 5 yards of 100% white cotton PFD fabric, 4 lbs. of paraffin wax, scissors, rubber gloves, aprons, pen & notebook,

*optional, in addition to the fabric students can also bring silk scarf or t-shirt as long as they are 100% cotton or silk.

Workshop and Cancellation Policies: Please read our 2026 policies before registering for a workshop. https://www.sanbornmills.org/workshop-policies/