Traditional African clothing represents one of-if not the biggest-symbols of the continent’s rich cultural heritage and diversity. If you have ever been to any traditional African event, one of the first things you will notice is the elegant and bright display of traditional African clothing. This often adds color and elegance to the already often energetic scenes. They mostly wear these clothes for special occasions, traditional festivals, and special events.
Apart from their elegance, owning one of these traditional African clothes can help you to connect to your roots. Traditional African clothing continues to hold deep ethnic meanings to date. They also embody the cultural heritage and diversity of Africa.
However, some creative designers are now combining traditional African clothing with other materials to make unique designs. Thus, some hitherto traditional African clothes are becoming everyday wear. Often, these dresses reflect the traditional society and the status of certain individuals or groups within an ethnic group.
Fabrics for making traditional African clothing vary from one region to another. African clothes are products of mostly silk, cotton, and chiffon material. For instance, while Sahelian Africans prefer cotton Boubous, Northern Africans naturally make theirs of silk.
Discovering the origins of global fashion trends: Kente cloth - Ghana
Key Traditional Garments
1. The Ghanaian Smock (Tani) or Batakari
The Ghanaian Smock or Tani is a fabric worn by both women and men in Ghana. It is also called Bun-nwↃ or Bana by Mamprusis, fugu in Mossi, batakari in the Asante dialect, dansika in Frafra, and Banaa in Kusaal both in the upper east region. The fabric is called Tani in Dagbani, while the male and female wear are respectively called Bin'gmaa and Bin'mangli. The smock and Kente cloth are the national dress of Ghana.
Read also: Baskets from Ghana
The smock originated in the northern region of Ghana, during the reign of Yaa Naa Zanjina, but widely used in West Africa and across the world. It is the most popular traditional attire in the country. The smock is traditionally made from hand-loomed strips comprising a blend of dyed and undyed cotton yarns.
The Ghana Batakari smocks are heavy strips of strong hand-woven fabric, which come in various colors and may be augmented with authentic traditional designs. Embrace and adopt the dignity of a powerful heritage, with these comfortable and distinctive men’s African Batakari pull-over outer garments. We bring these to you directly from the Northern Region of Ghana, West Africa where Hausa, Dagomba, and Dagbani men have for centuries, maintained their proud heritage, wearing this same garment.
Historically, the smock was rarely seen in the West. All of that changed as the popularity of films produced in Ghana increased among Black Americans and Caribbeans. As recently as the 1990s, immigrants from Ghana were the only individuals seen wearing the smock.
2. Fugu Batakari Jacket
The African Fugu Batakari jacket is perhaps the most distinctive traditional men’s garment from West Africa. Although it is most popular in Northern Ghana, it has gained acceptance and significance throughout the nation. The name Fugu comes from the Moshie word for cloth. The Fugu was introduced in Ghana by the Moshies from Burkino Faso and by the Hausas from northern Nigeria, both of who migrated into Northern Ghana.
Embrace the strength of tradition when you wear these African clothes, that reflect the great cultures of Africa.
Read also: Ghanaian Business Profile: Franko Trading
3. Kente
Kente is a unisex traditional African clothing that finds its history among the Ashanti and Ewe people of Ghana. It is made out of cloth strips of silk and/or cotton, designed to fit the cloth’s patterns. Despite technological advancements, native Ashantis still weave their Kente clothes by hand. Historically, Ghanaian royalties wore the fabric in a toga-like fashion.
Thankfully, you don’t need to visit Ghana to get kente fabric or outfits today.
Other Notable African Attire
While Dashiki is worn mostly in West Africa, its use has spilt to other regions of the continent. Dashiki appears to be the most popular African clothing. East African users, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania, prefer to call it Kitenge.
As you head towards the northern part of the continent, the most popular traditional cloth will become Djellaba. This silk robe is usually worn over other clothes by both men and women. This mode of dressing is predominantly associated with Muslims.
Where to Buy Authentic African Fabrics
There are several outlets for you to buy African fabrics. However, to be sure you are getting authentic textiles from top-class designers, visit only reputable outlets. Etsy and Amazon are great places to start.
Read also: Ghana Soccer Jersey
Purple Hibiscus Installation
Purple Hibiscus was a temporary, large-scale public art installation created by Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama. The centrepiece of Purple Hibiscus was approximately 2,000 square meters of bespoke, hand-woven pink and purple fabric. Hundreds of craftspeople from Tamale, Ghana, created this fabric specifically for the installation.
Sewn onto the fabric were roughly 100 "batakari" robes, traditionally worn by Ghanaians in both northern and southern regions. The title, Purple Hibiscus, referenced Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel of the same name, which explores themes of family, tradition, and change in post-colonial Nigeria. The vibrant colours and textures of the installation contrasted starkly with the Barbican's concrete exterior.
Mahama's use of handcrafted textiles highlighted the importance of human labour and traditional craft practices. The batakari robes themselves embodied the concept of intergenerational knowledge and cultural heritage.
