Celebrating heritage in African clothing

Since President Obama's election, interest in African fashions has increased among African American communities. Clothing is often an expression of who we are. Others celebrate their African heritage through a variety of African clothing styles. These ethnic styles are a very versatile and dynamic way of telling others who they are and what they are about. Without a doubt, African clothing has a rich diverse history.

Clothing from different regions of the African continent is a reflection of that region and diversity. It can be very overwhelming to try to understand the different styles and what each style represents. This article is intended to be the first of many that educates the reader on the rich history and beauty of African fashion.

The first in this series is dashiki. Dashikis are colorful and unique robes that cover the upper body. It is not uncommon for West African men to wear dashikis. These garments are worn on formal and informal occasions and for various ceremonies. Muslims, Christians and followers of traditional indigenous African religions don dashikis. Dashikis are usually paired with matching drawstring pants. The bride and groom often wear these garments for their wedding ceremonies.

Another type of dashiki is called grand boubou. The boubou is generally worn with matching pants and a long tunic that covers the outfit. This style is commonly used by Nigerians, Muslims, and many Africans in Francophone countries. Dashikis are becoming very popular in western countries. For example, dashiki is a popular style used for Kwanzaa celebrations.

African clothing options like dashiki are a great way to make a fashion statement while also telling others about your heritage.

To really highlight the African dashiki look, it can be paired with a kufi. A kufi is a traditional West African hat that conforms to shape. It is often used by older men in Africa and represents the status of wise and respected leaders in their communities.

As this series of articles continues, the reader will become better informed about African attire and possibly create a style that represents their pride and heritage.