Archive for the ‘African Clothing’ Category

Africa is a vast continent with different cultures and styles of clothing that reflect the people, the place, the status, and the religions of these diverse peoples. When you choose to wear African clothing, you are stepping back in time and offering a celebration of the culture it was made in, as well as the concepts that inspired the clothes.

Below is a look at several types of cloth which are commonly used, as well as the cultural and regional influences of the various regions of Africa:

Korhogo Cloth: Made by the Sunofo people on the Ivory Coast, this type of cloth is designed by using mud to paint the cloth in various geometric designs. The mud is typically black, brown or rust and it is taken from various parts of western Africa. The cloth is used for clothes, as well as pillows and home furnishings.

Mud cloth dress

Mud Cloth: This beautiful cloth originated in Mali and at one time was worn by hunters of that region. Nowadays, it is used for a large variety of African clothes. The cloth is made from hand-woven cotton and carved bamboo is used to apply mud to the cloth to create designs on it. The mud is taken from the river banks. After it is used to decorate the cloth, it is allowed to dry to achieve richer color. The process is repeated until the design is complete. The most popular colors are purple, white, beige, yellow and rust.

African Tie-Dye: This style of cloth is very popular in Senegal, Gambia and Yoruba. The colors are modern yet traditional. There are various methods used to tie-dye. Whatever the method, though, the African tie-dye is a prominent feature in African clothing.

Ewe Cloth: Similar to the Kente cloth, this type of material originates in the southeastern area of Ghana.  Usually made of silk or rayon, the ewe cloth is frequently worn by those of a high status. The cloth bears symbols that represent knowledge, ethics and morals which are supposed to be used in everyday life. Other ewe cloth designs are more humble and simple in texture and design, but they are still quite beautiful.

The style and culture of African clothes can be worn and displayed in any place or time and make a distinctive statement about the person who chooses to wear them.  Making yourself aware of the rich history and culture behind the clothes adds even more depth to your choices.

African clothing has a rich history going back thousands of years, and more often these days you can see African-Americans choosing to enhance their style and celebrate their heritage by donning these garments. The designs of the clothes are one reflection of African culture, but the colors and symbols that decorate them are also important to understand.

African clothes that are made of the combined colors of red, gold and green represent the colors of the stripes of the Ethiopian flag. Also, black, green and gold combinations represent the colors of the African National Congress’ flag. Kente cloth is known for its brilliant colors and designs and this cloth is frequently seen as a symbol of the African continent.

The Fulani women wear bright flowing robe-like garments and gold hoop earrings to mark their style and their region. And, in each region of Africa, the style and colors of garments are a reflection of whom you are and where you are from.

The colors of the garments hold various meanings depending on the village you are from. For instance, in certain parts of Nigeria, red is seen as a threatening color which can only be worn by chiefs. The color is believed to keep evil away. In other regions, red is the color of achievement or success. Adinkra cloth is worn typically at funerals and farewells. Dark colored adinkra cloth in brick red, brown or black symbolizes death. Alternately, bright colored adinkra cloth in white, yellow or blue is worn for festive or happy occasions. Adinkra cloth is still very popular in Ghana today.

Two Kente Cloth Style

Kente cloth made by the Fante of Ghana has many different designs and colors with various meanings. Red is the symbol of bloodshed and is frequently worn for political meetings and rallies. Green represents fertility and you can see it worn often during a young girl’s adolescence. White symbolizes purity or victory. Yellow represents maturity or glory and chiefs frequently wear this color. Blue symbolizes love, and black represents aging.

Knowing the symbolic meanings of color and design in African clothing helps you to have a greater sense of the culture and the rich history of the African styles you can find today. Whatever your ethnic heritage may be, you can find an African style that reflects your identity and your good taste too. There are a lot of choices, but the variety and the quality are there for you, so enjoy.

African clothing in earlier times was not a necessity. In fact, it was so hot, many chose not to wear clothing at all. Instead, in those days, men and women decorated their bodies with painted designs and marked their skin with tattoos. The earliest clothing in Africa was primarily used to cover the intimate areas of the body and was simple in design.

Over time, the people of Africa began to use cloth made of cotton or the fiber of palms to sew together clothes. Initially, cloth was hand-woven, but with time, the weaving looms were used which allowed them to create more stylized patterns. The men wove the fabric and the women decorated it.

Women's mudcloth dress

The most widely-known fabrics are:

• Mud Cloth: this cloth is textured and has brown and beige designs. Mud cloth comes from Mali.
• Kente Cloth: From Ghana, this type of cloth comes in both silk and cotton.
• Tufted Kuba: Cloth: From the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this cloth originates.

Each region of Africa has its own type of cloth that it predominantly uses. Almost all of the styles of the various regions are loose-fitting robe-like garments designed for coolness in the hot weather. Often, African styles resemble the Roman toga. The many toga-like robes can be seen in the various areas. For example, in Nigeria and Senegal, the boubou is popular. In Nigeria, the agbada and riga are worn. And, the dansiki is worn in western Africa. In northern Africa, the Muslim influence is seen in the style of dress.

Like all cultures, Africa was influenced by trade with other nations and the clothing styles reflect that. When traders began to come from other continents, there was an influx of different materials and jewels to use in the clothing designs. New types of beads were brought in and these beads began to decorate the various garments. As more contact with Europeans emerged, they too introduced Western clothing to Africa. Nowadays, it is commonplace to see jeans and t-shirts as often as the traditional African clothes others wear.

Knowing about the origins and evolution of African clothes helps us better understand our heritage and how these dynamic clothes have stood the test of time and are still as beautiful today as they were in yesteryears. The choices are vast when seeking African clothes, and the history only makes the choices more fascinating to make.

African clothing has a rich history and the designs still reflect the uniqueness and depth of the culture. When you wear an African clothing choice, you are carrying with you all of the history and beauty of that culture. Evolving over time, the clothes show much about the people and the climate of Africa. The colors and choices of beads used in certain items were used originally to distinguish one tribe from another. Also, the types of material used were those available in different geographic locations of Africa.

In Ghana, Kente cloth was used and was designed with rich and vibrant colors. The Mali tribes were known for their beautiful mud cloth with identifiable brown and beige patterns. And, there was the Kuba cloth worn frequently by those in the Congo.

Man wearing a boubou

Because of the climate, all of the designs have an almost toga-like and flowing shape to them. The heat has always been a factor in the design of African clothing. In Nigeria and Senegal, the women and the men wear boubous, loose-fitting wrap-like robes that are easy to wear and comfortable. They are colorful and pretty, but they are also functional.

When you want to create a unique style, African clothing provides you with the options to create your own style. The style will reflect both who you are and what heritage you are celebrating.

For men, a beautiful and elegant dashiki is a great choice with matching pants. The traditional dashiki is loose-fitting and displays fine colors and styles. For women, a gorgeous mud-print dress is an excellent choice. These African clothes are well-made and durable, but they are also going to give you a look that others will admire and want to emulate.

Adding jewelry to your African clothing ensemble is also a nice way to give your style more flavor. The jewelry is mystical looking and will make you feel that you are somehow connected to the rich spiritual aspects of African culture when you wear it. From the beautiful cowry-bead necklaces to the mysterious crescent-moon necklaces and earrings, African designs are a splendid choice. The jewelry worn in ancient times in Africa was almost always worn for religious or spiritual practices, thus the designs still reflect these qualities.

African clothes and jewelry will make you a stand-out on any occasion. Diversify your look and add some of the great designs here on our site.

Kids love to make a fashion statement, and when it comes to African clothing, there are a number of choices that your children will be excited to wear. From the multi-colored fabrics to the great hats and fun styles, African clothes offer styles and varieties which are ideal for school, special events or just rolling out to a backyard cookout.

Children's African Clothing

For girls, there are some beautiful choices. Take for example the girl’s embroidered brocade set. This outfit comes in black or white. The outfit consists of a beautiful top with a gold-accented v-neck and a matching skirt. The ensemble is versatile and comfortable and your little girl will love showing off her African heritage while wearing it. Another nice option is the girls tie-dye dress. This dress is casual and easy to wear and comes in a lovely lavender color with white tie-dye accents. The little lady in your life will enjoy showing her style in this African clothing design for kids.

For boys, there are some equally nice options. How about the dashiki shorts set for the little gents? These African designs are sporty and beautiful at the same time. Made of comfortably soft cotton, the dashiki shorts set is perfect for an afternoon get-together, school or any occasion you can imagine. Another choice is the Kenti children’s pant set. These colorful outfits are reflective of African heritage and they are also unique. Your young man will splash out in this chic option. Also, there is the embroidered brocade pantsuit for young men. These outfits come in black or white and are accented with gold.

Kids love to learn about their heritage, and letting them help you select their African clothing is a great way to introduce them to a little history lesson. You can talk to them about how African clothes have evolved and why they are designed as they are. For instance, you can discuss the fact that most of the clothes and their colors represent various aspects of culture. Also, the way they are made is reflective of the culture they were created. Using African clothing to teach your children will make them more eager to show off their clothes and to share their knowledge with others.

Summer is on the way and it might be time to think about introducing some great African styles into your kids’ wardrobes.