Traditional and Contemporary Dress from Africa

In May 2010, there was a photo in the media of South African President Zuma wearing leopard skin at a wedding. The photo prompted a discussion on whether Africans should show the rest of the world themselves in traditional dress, or wearing European clothes in order to "blend in" with the rest of the world, as many Westerners have an unfavorable idea of African tradition.
In my view, this would be an error. The problems in Africa do not have anything to do with their traditional ways of dressing. As a matter of fact, some of the leaders one only sees wearing suits and ties are in fact the worst and the  most corrupt.
Photo courtesy Sakina M'sa
To be frank, some ways of dressing may not be the most practical for going to the office; and I have nothing against anyone wearing the latest designs, especially as nowadays there are also many designers of African descent, albeit more in the realm of women's clothing than men's attire. To cite a few: Alphadi, Sakina M'sa, Lola Faturoti (if you are an African designer and you'd like to be added to this list, please send a note!). That's without counting the African diaspora, now all over the world: a few talented African-American designers are Eric Gaskins, Patrick Robinson, Edward Wilkerson...
However, traditional dress also has its place and time, and it would be a shame to lose it. There are so many styles all over the African continent that I can only show a few, from my own photos, from Cameroon.
Bamenda ceremonial robe
The following shows a ceremonial outfit from Bamenda, Northwest Cameroon (near Nigeria). On top is the cap that is worn with it, and a couple of necklaces (from other regions).
There are many varieties on this theme, all beautifully done.

Here our cousin is wearing an African-style outfit as office wear: it works in a city such as Douala, without a winter and no commuting by subway!

Men from Deido, including my father-in-law, Ellong Njoh,
wearing the traditional black velvet Sandja with a scarf around
the waist and the neck.




The "official" Duala traditional clothing (since colonial days) is more adapted to ceremonial outings than for work, whether for men or women.






Knotted headscarf
Malian cap

Women's head scarves are often knotted in elaborate ways. Men of course also have their head coverings, such as a variety of skull caps, and the European hat.

Duala women wear the kaba since the arrival of Christian missionaries. Missionaries in Hawaii created a similar garment for local women, as the original garments offended their religion--I found out about this when reading Mitchener's opus "Hawaii".
Duala women in a procession in matching kabas

At a funeral or another ceremonial occasion, Duala women of a specific group (neighborhood, political party, family group) will wear kabas in the same fabric.

My online friend Boukary Konaté*, whose efforts to teach the use of the Internet in Mali was described in this entry, sent a few images of traditional and contemporary outfits in Mali. Note the indigo dye in the lady's outfit, typical of West Africa. Mali is especially well-known for its expertise in indigo dye.
Mali man in a traditional outfit (photo from Boukary Konaté)
Mali young lady wearing indigo-dye outfit
(photo from Boukary Konaté)


Mali young man wearing "Western" clothing -
(photo from Boukary Konaté)


Africa is a large continent, and I'll attempt to collect more images of the ways people clothe themselves, whether in traditional or contemporary style. Stay posted!

Sad note: Boukary Konaté passed away, far too young.


Additional posts: 
2016: West Cameroon Festive Traditional Dress 

2018: Made in Africa: Zuri's "One Dress"

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Bibi Seck, Industrial Designer in New York City

Cameroon food - part 1

El Anatsui: 2013 Brooklyn Museum Retrospective