Africa is a continent marked among other things, by the diversity of cultures, customs and traditions. From the different African countries we can find different ways of dressing although all seem to coincide in the use of striking colors and costumes that attract a lot of attention. Now let’s get to know a little better how African clothing is: curiosities and details that you did not know.
This is how African clothing is: curiosities and details that you did not know
One of the first curiosities regarding clothing in Africa is that those that are considered more traditional , given that, as has happened in the rest of the continents, clothing has adapted with the times, they consist of clothing that has a lot of to do with everyday activities. In this way, the use of cottons as well as organic and natural materials , hence its color, is essential since it allows the suits that are made to be durable and resistant.
According to anthropological studies, the first African clothing dates back to 75,000 years ago made mainly of animal skins and skins, but not only this, but curiously they were also made with shells and feathers as jewels and archaic costume jewelery.
Since then and as usual, African clothing has evolved although traditional costumes are still something that Africans tend to wear with great pride . For example, in Nigeria , the Aso-Oke is still widely used, a colorful suit made with cloth woven on looms that for women is called Aso-Ilu , and includes a headscarf, a wrap skirt and a blouse with a shawl.
What are the different types of African clothing?
The African continent is also distinguished by the different costumes that can be found depending on each country. In this way, we have already mentioned what traditional Nigerian clothing is like but there are also other costumes that are shared throughout the continent and are even known throughout the world. This is the case of African Danshiki, which can be used by both men and women, although men tend to wear it more. It is a long and quite wide shirt that is distinguished by having various decorations and embroidery, as well as various patterns. It is common to see it combined with a kufi or hat without a brim.
Another traditional African clothing is the kaftan or caftan . Again we find a garment that is distinguished by its wide color and that apparently was already used centuries ago. It is even said that Cleopatra wore this type of garment.
African men’s and women’s clothing
Apart from the more traditional costumes of Africa, we must also make a distinction between the way African men dress with respect to women.
African men always wear long pants, only some teenagers wear shorts. Normally they combine these pants with the aforementioned shirts, although also and depending on their work or activity they can combine their long pants with a white shirt.
African women’s clothing is much more complex. African women do not wear pants, they usually only wear African style dresses . This generally off-the- shoulder dress, using a colorful and eye-catching fabric pattern, is generous and elegant, but also attractive. Middle-aged women dress mainly in black and white dresses, headdresses or also, they wear long skirts that are usually made of the same fabric as the dresses. They often have a piece of cloth around the waist. This piece of fabric can have many uses on different occasions. Many families in Africa have three or five children, so generally this added cloth is used to carry the children wrapped and “hooked” to the woman’s body.
On the other hand, the headdress is an important part of African women’s clothing since, among other things, it allows them to protect their hair and head from the sun.
