“Komole” is a yoruba term which means bend down low. It is a name given to a dance move that is popular in Nigeria where a person {usually women} progressively drops while dancing until she is crouching low without hitting the ground.
This is being used among people especially musicians “let me see you do it, ok komole abi o like e be”. This dancing step was also used in one of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (kwam 1) music “bobo no go die unless to ba darugbo bobo bobo”. The dance step was modernised in azonto and others.
Komole, though was originally known to be a dance steps “to go down low”, but following the fashion trends in Nigerian, its shown that “Komole” style have been the talk of the town in weddings, birthdays, funeral engagements and what have you. its now used to replace “Iro and Buba”.
in addition, “iro and buba” has been in for over some decades now and still in use. “iro {wrapper} and buba {top}, is mainly worn by old women in southern part of Nigeria. it came into prominence in the early fifties to eighties. The concept of a top and wrapper is very popular all across the African continent, it has different names depending on the region and material used for the style. Originally “iro and buba” was used for different occasions then, but rarely used these days.
Many young Nigerian (especially Yoruba) women dislike wearing the old style of iro and buba, saying that it makes them look ‘mama-ish’, and they are happily embracing the modern buba styles as most say that it’s so like-their-age which is called “komole”. And this style is so youthful and more fashionable too. “Komole” is a game changer’ for the young and stylish Nigerian women who would never have been caught in the old-style, traditional Iro and Buba. If you hated wearing any old type of wrapper-styled Nigerian outfit, you’ll love the “komole”style of tying Iro (wrappers).
Moreso, “komole” was just a word used to connote a dance style, but in recent times, it’s a word used to express a dance style, and also something you can touch. “Iro and Buba has used to be the name it goes by decades ago, but recently “komole” has become the new name after some modernization and has also become the talk of town. It is now used in replace of “iro and buba” by the bride and social function lovers, for anniversaries, and what have you. Some of the fabrics used for iro and buba costs a fortune while some use any fabrics just to achieve the style.
Consequently, the Iro and Buba that we once knew to be sewn in the same, simple round-neck style has now evolved to wear new looks. Thanks to the creativity of Nigerian Fashion designers, the traditional Iro and Buba style has now been modernized to various styles such as the Tulip style wrappers (Iro) and the Oleku Iro and Buba and “komole” which is now being used generally by women. The traditional iro and buba style used to be sewn in cotton fabrics, usually ankara/ wax. Lace was mostly used for party / occasions. Latest Iro and Buba styles come in assorted, lighter fabrics such as silk, chiffon, guinea brocade, velvet, lace and more to wrap it up.”Komole” is a style you can rock anytime and at any age, it has no age limit. You don’t need to break the bank to get the style for your self as long as you have a good tailor, you are good to go.
