Archive for April, 2009

African outfit with matching Kufi Hat

Authentic African clothing provides men, women and kids with all the colorful and dynamic options they want when dressing to celebrate their rich African heritage. These African clothes are versatile and long-lasting and they never go out of style. The history and tradition of African clothing is long and intriguing, and one item that comes from this lasting culture is the kufi hat, an absolute must-have for men.

The kufi hat comes from West Africa where men have worn it for years. The hat is brimless and rounded to fit to the shape of the head. Often, you see older men in West Africa wearing a kufi hat each and every day. For them, the hat is a symbol of their status as wise older patriarchs. African Muslims can be seen wearing the hats on Fridays for their prayers. In recent years, kufi hats have made their mark in American hip-hop culture, but they may also be seen on the heads of any man who wants to show his cultural heritage.

Kufi hats are available in a range of colors and styles. There are knitted kufi hats, rasta-style kufi hats, Kente cloth kufi hats and others. The crown style kufi hat is worn with formal outfits and is often made in white.  Most frequently, kufis are worn with dashikis as part of the formal outfit.

The kufi hat is one of the many beautifully designed caps that you can find at YourAfricanClothingShop.com. The hats are durable and stylish and offer any man who wears them the opportunity to celebrate his heritage while simultaneously celebrating his own unique style.

The Fulani straw hat is another popular choice. The Fula people of West Africa make these hats and they are both beautiful and practical. The wide brim of the hat is perfect for hot summer afternoons when you need to shield your face and eyes from the sun.

An African hat is one choice that any man can appreciate. African clothes provide a way to get the African textures, fabrics and styles that will make your wardrobe a real standout. For any man in your life, a kufi hat will offer him a chance to display his heritage with style. Celebrating African culture with African clothes and hats is a dynamic and artistic way to make a statement.

A Cowry Shell Necklace Set

African jewelry is beautiful and durable. Your African clothing wardrobe would not be complete without the addition of exquisite African jewelry. The cowry shell necklace is one great choice. But, first, let’s consider the history of the cowry shell.

The shells of cowries were used in centuries past as a form of currency. They were originally used in Africa for this purpose, but later they were used in ancient China and India as currency as well. The cowry is actually the shell of a mollusk or snail and cowry shells come in various colors.

In ancient Egypt, the cowry shell was considered to have magical properties. Explorers have uncovered thousands of cowry shells inside the Pharaoh’s tombs. History reveals that the traders of Africa preferred cowry shells as currency even when gold or silver were also offered as possibilities.

Cowries are reputed to have been use in ceremonies and for divination purposes to read the future. They are also believed to have been used as talisman to ward off problems or bad spirits.

Because of the beauty of these shells, they were eventually used for making jewelry. In Europe, Cowry shells were often worn in necklace form as an amulet to ward off the evil eye and/or to bring good fortune when trying to have children. The cowry shell is durable, long-lasting, and can be enjoyed for many years.

Cowry shells are beautiful and there are many necklaces, earrings, and other accessories that adorn them. When you select a cowry shell necklace, you will be sure to find others admiring it. And, since they were coveted and utilized in Africa, these jewels are a great way to celebrate and reflect your African heritage.

African cowry shell necklaces and belts are a great addition to any African clothing wardrobe. African jewelry immediately tells others that you are proud of whom you are and that you want others to know about your culture. Celebrating one’s ethnic background is important, and African jewelry is one way to do it.

The mysterious, magical cowry shell necklace or belt will not only add flavor to your outfit, but it will imbue you with some of the magic and beauty that they represent. Think about adding several cowry designs to your African clothing wardrobe today!

A trio wearing dashikis

A great choice in African clothing is the dashiki. Whether you want the full dashiki outfit, including matching pants, or simply a dashiki top, you are sure to enhance your style with African inspired clothing.

The dashiki is a garment that is worn in West Africa and it has been popular there for many years. Originally, only men wore dashikis, but now, you can find them in unisex styles. In the 1960s, dashikis became more popular in the west with the rise of the black power movement and the political struggles that many African-Americans faced at that time. Dashikis are a great way to express your African cultural heritage and African style.

An informal dashiki is typically embroidered or displays a mud-print design. The formal dashiki commonly worn by Christians, Muslims or followers of traditional African religion, is made for men. This includes a top and a pair of matching drawstring trousers. Usually, a kufi hat is worn with this attire. Most often this style of dashiki is worn by the bridegroom at weddings.

A traditional dashiki has a shirt that comes down about mid-thigh.  A long dashiki suit includes a shirt that comes down to the knees or longer. There are also more delicate and detailed dashiki suits with a shirt made of lace.

The designs are robust and varied. You can find short-sleeved unisex dashikis, mud-print dashikis, Ethiopian star dashikis or tie-dye dashikis. They come in a variety of colors, ensuring that you are able to select a design that best suits your individual tastes.

The dashiki is a must-have piece of African clothing. The dashiki speaks of ancient times on the continent of Africa and celebrates the life and the beauty of that land. The dashiki also celebrates your sense of style and your fashion flavor. The African clothing you wear is simply an outer manifestation of your ethnic background. You will be sure to attract admiration and respect when wearing African clothes.

Whatever your age, your gender or your outlook, if you want to wear a piece of African clothing that truly expresses rich and deep history, while simultaneously looking attractive and unique, then the dashiki is the right choice for you. Pair it with jeans or with matching pants and a cowry necklace, and you will make a statement that will demonstrate your style and heritage.

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.