Every community or country has its popular clothing design which makes them unique in a particular way. Africa is not exceptional when it comes to the matter of clothing and fashion design. The African fashion designs have undergone a tremendous change since the people from western countries began trading in the African land.
As already mentioned, a significant change in the clothing design began with the coming of visitors. The influence of the Arabs to new African design is evident by the design of robes and embroideries which are worn by most people today. On the other hand most modern people today have adopted the Western styles of clothing.
Kaftans or boubous is an example of the natives clothing. These are full length embroidered robes which today are mainly worn by the East African women. The garment was initially worn by men from West Africa. It is made from cotton or silk. Kaftan is also traditional female clothing in countries such as Mali, Senegal, and Ghana.
The traditional; women garments are of different styles, prints, and color which ranges from earth tones vibrant indigos. Usually, women wear dreaded skirts, veils or blankets having elaborate motifs. Besides, women are very popular with colorful jewelry made of copper, grass or beads. For instance, the women from Ndebele community like wearing traditional clothing adorned with beadwork.
On the other hand, the queens dress is usually a flamboyant one in terms of its designs and styling. This is a common traditional wear which shows off the full figure of a woman. Tie dye which also continues to be a traditional dress among young women today is characterized by symbols as well as design suggesting fertility meaning.
Having looked at the women dress now lets look at what African men wear. We are going to dwell on the men found in East Africa region. Most men like wearing kitenge and dashiki shirts during hot weather. For example Kenya, men are fond of putting on long sleeved dashiki shirts with a matching hat while in Tanzania men wear white robes also called kanzu. In the neighboring Uganda, men wear dashiki shirts also with a hat for informal events.
There are special clothes which are designed for various rituals and special events. For example, during the engagement ceremonies and rituals celebrations of a girl entering womanhood, some women wear showing clothing. Following the marriage ceremony, women wear beads on their collars and brass earrings that are comparable to the wedding rings. Also, western African women while getting married usually dress in large head ties while on the other hand the Zulu boys courting girls are known to wear western outfits which are purchased in the city.
There is something unique with the Zulu clothing design. Even as people are adopting to the Western styles, they still put on their traditional leopard skin and brightly colored feathers as well as bishops feathers adorning their headdress. However, today only a few people are wearing the traditional clothes. With the coming of the western and eastern people, the culture of Africans on clothing designs changed and most people nowadays have fully adopted the foreign designs.
As already mentioned, a significant change in the clothing design began with the coming of visitors. The influence of the Arabs to new African design is evident by the design of robes and embroideries which are worn by most people today. On the other hand most modern people today have adopted the Western styles of clothing.
Kaftans or boubous is an example of the natives clothing. These are full length embroidered robes which today are mainly worn by the East African women. The garment was initially worn by men from West Africa. It is made from cotton or silk. Kaftan is also traditional female clothing in countries such as Mali, Senegal, and Ghana.
The traditional; women garments are of different styles, prints, and color which ranges from earth tones vibrant indigos. Usually, women wear dreaded skirts, veils or blankets having elaborate motifs. Besides, women are very popular with colorful jewelry made of copper, grass or beads. For instance, the women from Ndebele community like wearing traditional clothing adorned with beadwork.
On the other hand, the queens dress is usually a flamboyant one in terms of its designs and styling. This is a common traditional wear which shows off the full figure of a woman. Tie dye which also continues to be a traditional dress among young women today is characterized by symbols as well as design suggesting fertility meaning.
Having looked at the women dress now lets look at what African men wear. We are going to dwell on the men found in East Africa region. Most men like wearing kitenge and dashiki shirts during hot weather. For example Kenya, men are fond of putting on long sleeved dashiki shirts with a matching hat while in Tanzania men wear white robes also called kanzu. In the neighboring Uganda, men wear dashiki shirts also with a hat for informal events.
There are special clothes which are designed for various rituals and special events. For example, during the engagement ceremonies and rituals celebrations of a girl entering womanhood, some women wear showing clothing. Following the marriage ceremony, women wear beads on their collars and brass earrings that are comparable to the wedding rings. Also, western African women while getting married usually dress in large head ties while on the other hand the Zulu boys courting girls are known to wear western outfits which are purchased in the city.
There is something unique with the Zulu clothing design. Even as people are adopting to the Western styles, they still put on their traditional leopard skin and brightly colored feathers as well as bishops feathers adorning their headdress. However, today only a few people are wearing the traditional clothes. With the coming of the western and eastern people, the culture of Africans on clothing designs changed and most people nowadays have fully adopted the foreign designs.
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