Investigation of Thermal Comfort Properties of Locally Produced Aso-Oke Fabrics for Hot Climate Applications in Kwara State

Aso-oke is a handwoven fabric central to Yoruba cultural identity and formal attire across the South West and North Central regions of Nigeria, yet its thermal comfort properties have not been systematically characterised using objective physiological comfort assessment methods. This study investigates the thermal comfort properties of Aso-oke fabrics produced by handloom weavers in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, assessing their suitability for extended wear in the hot and humid climatic conditions of the region. Fabric samples representing three weave structures, plain Aso-oke, Petuje, and Sanyan, were collected from ten producing weavers and characterised for thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, moisture vapour resistance, water vapour permeability index, and air permeability using a sweating guarded hotplate apparatus following ISO 11092 standard. Fabric structural parameters including weave density, yarn linear density, and fabric mass were documented. Statistical correlations between structural and comfort parameters were established using Pearson analysis. Results demonstrate that Sanyan weave fabric produced the highest moisture vapour permeability index of 0.44, reflecting its open weave structure and its superior ability to facilitate sweat evaporation in hot conditions. Plain Aso-oke exhibited the highest thermal resistance, raising concerns about thermal stress under prolonged wear at high activity levels in the North Central climate zone. Petuje structure offered a balanced combination of adequate thermal resistance and satisfactory moisture permeability, rated as most comfortable in objective assessment. The study recommends Petuje-structured Aso-oke as most thermally appropriate for active wear in hot climate environments and provides weavers with design parameters for optimising thermal comfort in locally produced cultural fabrics. Keywords: Aso-oke, thermal comfort, hot climate, handwoven fabric, Kwara State