Wrappers of Rivers

In documenting and displaying the intricate cultures of wrapper tying and wrapper wearing in Rivers State, Aleruchi Kinika, the photographer behind the series, ‘Wrappers of Rivers’, says she ‘wanted to tell the story of the wrappers and Rivers people as one.’ 

Editor’s note: This essay is available in our print issue, Demas Nwoko’s Natural Synthesis and the Rise of African Architecture. Buy the issue here.

As a little girl growing up in Rivers State in southern Nigeria, photographer Aleruchi Kinika was surrounded by wrappers. They were an unremarkable part of everyday life and held little meaning to her little-girl mind. It would not be until many years later when she had become a mature young woman that she would come to appreciate the cultural significance of these seemingly ordinary materials. It is this remarkable cultural significance that she aims to capture in her photo series, ‘Wrappers of Rivers’, conceived during the 2024 Alternative Heritage Workshop organized by The Republic, StoryMi and the French Embassy in Nigeria.  

For The Rise of African Architecture, we spoke to Kinika about this project, but also about the role wrappers play across different ethnic groups in Rivers State. She explains that beyond being a symbol of social and cultural identity or helping to enhance physical attractiveness, wrappers function as a ‘way of connecting generations [and] preserving the heritage and values of each ethnic group.’ 

By highlighting the central role wrappers occupy in the cultural rituals of several ethnic groups in Rivers State, their ability to facilitate familial bonding and the similarities in the wrapping practices of different ethnic groups in the state, Kinika aims to provide a ‘nuanced understanding of cultural practices in modern-day Rivers State.’ She also helps us understand the archival intent behind her work, taking us behind the scenes of her photography, what this project means to her and her plans for the future... 

This essay features in our print issue, ‘Demas Nwoko’s Natural Synthesis and the Rise of African Architecture’, and is available to read for free. Simply register for a Free Pass to continue reading.

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