By SODIQ OYELEKE

Some Nigerians living in the United States have designed a special attire, popularly called “Aso Ebi”, to be won on Wednesday, January 20 for the inauguration of Joe Biden and Harris Kamala as President and Vice President of the US respectively.

In a video that surfaced online showing the attire, Biden and Harris’s names were imprinted on the Aso Ebi showed off by two Nigerian men.

The attire also had their pictures and a caption, ‘victory party’.

The Nigerians, whose identity could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, said they were taking theirs to tailor.

One of the joyous Nigerians said, “So, Aso Ebi is ready now. Can you see this? It is ready. I am taking mine to the tailor for the inauguration.”

Another Nigerian, who spoke in Yoruba, said, “We will rock this. We will sweep away all those with negative mindsets out of the white house.”

The term aso ebi is coined from two Yoruba words – aso meaning ‘cloth’ and ebi, which means ‘family’. It is a uniform dress that is traditionally worn as a means of identification for relatives at weddings, funerals, and other celebrations as a form of support and solidarity.

It is made from different attires such as Ankara, Lace, Guinea among others.

The PUNCH reports that plans for the inauguration had already been scaled-down out of pandemic concerns and fears of new violence by unyielding Donald Trump supporters after the January 6 riot.

Thousands of National Guard troops were filling downtown Washington, the normal crowd has been banned, and streets have been blocked with heavy trucks and concrete barriers.

Traditionally, an outgoing president and previous presidents attend inaugurations, underscoring unity and the democratic transfer of power.

This year, ex-presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama will be on the dais. Jimmy Carter, 96, is staying home, given the pandemic while Trump, who spent the past two months claiming Biden won the election by fraud would not attend.

According to reports, Trump, who is planning to leave Washington ahead of inauguration, will be the fourth president to skip the event. The last was in 1869. But outgoing Vice President Mike Pence will attend.

Virtual parties and concerts –

AFP reports that parades, parties, and concerts would be online or televised. Five days of events are planned, with multiple-artist concerts on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

On Tuesday, Biden and Harris will lead virtual commemorations across the country for the 400,000 Americans dead from coronavirus.

On inauguration day they will hold a “Parade Across America,” an online 50-state tour of speakers, artists, and performers.

The main event on Wednesday night stars John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake, Ant Clemons, the Foo Fighters and Demi Lovato.

And for at-home parties, there is a curated “Biden+Harris Playlist.” (The PUNCH)

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