Clothing in Africa 1

Clothing in Africa
African clothing is the traditional clothing, often vibrantly coloured,
worn by the indigenous peoples of Africa. In some instances these
traditional garments have been replaced by western clothing introduced
by European colonialists.

A woman in Kenya wearing kanga

In Northeastern Africa, particularly in Egypt, styles of traditional dress

have been influenced by Middle Eastern culture, this can be
exemplified by the simply embroidered Jellabiya which are similarly
worn in the Gulf states. The Northwest Africans in contrast, were less
influenced by foreign elements and remained more in antiquity. The
Djellaba (worn in Northwest Africa) shares similar properties with the
Grand boubou, the Dashiki, and the Senegalese kaftan although it is
less stylized than the Dashiki.

In Sahelian Africa, the Dashiki, Senegalese kaftan, and the Grand

boubou are worn more prominently, though not exclusively (the
Bògòlanfini, for instance, is worn in Mali). The Dashiki is highly
stylized and is rendered with an ornate V-shaped collar. In contrast the
Grand boubou is simpler, even more so than the Djellaba, though the
color designs reach impressive proportions, especially among the
Urban Algerian man wearing a burnous (woolen Tuareg, who are known for their beautifully dyed indigo robes.
cloak)
In East Africa, the Kanzu is the traditional dress worn by Swahili
speaking men. Women wear the Kanga and the Gomesi.
In Southern Africa distinctive shirts are worn. For instance, South Africa is known for the Madiba shirt, whereas,
Zimbabwe is known for the Safari shirt.
In the Horn of Africa, the attire varies by country. In Ethiopia, men wear the Ethiopian dashiki and women wear the
Ethiopian coffee dress. In Somalia, men wear the khameez with a small cap called a koofiyad.
Clothing in Africa 2

Used western clothing

There exist non-profit organizations in western societies that sell used clothes to for-profit companies in Africa.
These "white man's clothes" are quite common in some parts of the continent. This used clothing is called Mitumba
in some areas and is surrounded by some controversy. Critics point to it as a threat to local clothing manufacturers
and complain that it exploits consumers. Others argue that this used clothing provides useful competition for often
expensive and low quality local products. The fact that it is available in street markets even in countries that have
banned it suggests a willing consumer appetite for mitumba.
Article Sources and Contributors 3

Article Sources and Contributors

Clothing in Africa  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=396774412  Contributors: Addshore, Aelfthrytha, Anak 1, BanyanTree, Chitrapa, Circeus, Closedmouth, Deltabeignet,
Dfrg.msc, Dreadstar, FayssalF, Husond, Iridescent, It's-is-not-a-genitive, JavierMC, Jopparn, Jpeeling, Kelly Martin, Kotra, LFaraone, Lenticel, Link3710, Malo, Munci, Nappywun,
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Zackofalltrades, ZooFari, 77 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

File:KangaSiyu1.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:KangaSiyu1.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:Petrberka
File:Burnus sulla spalla.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Burnus_sulla_spalla.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Kilom691, MesserWoland, Vermondo, Wst

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