Shea Butter - African Clothing Trendy, Exotic And Exclusive

Shea Butter - African Clothing Trendy, Exotic And Exclusive

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Africa is one of the worlds largest and most-populous continents. Influenced by many Asian, western and middle eastern societies, Africa is home to more than a thousand tribes, which each has its own distinct culture, making African clothing one of the most diverse and colorful amongst any other in the world.

The evolution of African clothing can be traced back 180,000 years, from the usage of animal skins to bark fibers to the weaving of other fabrics. Today, African clothing can range from the simplest loincloth to the more sophisticated and ornate dress forms, like the Dashiki. Africans prefer the use of natural fibers for their clothes, and silk and Egyptian cotton are considered among the very best.

African clothing symbolizes both tradition and utility. The clothes that African men and women wear are symbolic of their social standing, religion, political bearing and age. For example, older women from Senegal wear bou bous, or long gowns, while the younger ladies sport anangos, or close fitted tunics with wrap around skirts. The east African women are often spotted in kangas, or a multicolored shawl, while the Nigerian tribeswomen adore themselves in the wrapper, an uncut piece of fabric pleated and wrapped around the body. The kaftan, also worn by women from east Africa, is made from cotton or silk and has themes and motifs printed on it in vibrant colors. In the modern day, kaftans are great for a relaxing day out or peaceful day with your friends. They are also highly appreciated gifts amongst friends and peers for their beauty. In contrast, African-Queen outfits consist of a more stylish piece of clothing and can be worn on special occasions like weddings. Tie and dye dresses, an invention of the Tuaregs of North Africa, are very popular among women in their child-bearing years and are often incorporated with designs which usually symbolize fertility.

The most popular African mens traditional outfit is the Kenyan Mens 3-Piece Dashiki Set, consisting of a dashiki shirt, pants and a matching kofi or hat. The dashiki has long sleeves and a colorfully decorated V-shaped collar. It has evolved over time and is even worn by women today over fitted, boot cut or knee length jeans making it very trendy. Tanzanian men often sport a kanzu, a white robe with a tassel and matching hat, while most South African men wear a Madiba shirt. The babariga, agbada, & bu bu are other popular mens outfits in Africa.

Most African boys are dressed in dashikis with a pair of sokoto or pants/jeans. Young girls are adorned in kaftans with a matching a gelee, or headscarf.

Clothing for special ceremonies is usually showy and varies for occasions ranging from engagements and weddings to the entering of womanhood. Headgears and head ties form an important part of rituals. The color of ceremonial clothing can range from earthy tones to more vibrant shades.

Today, African clothing is not just confined to Africa. It has gained immense popularity in the western and European worlds due to the comfort, vibrancy and sense of style exhibited within each piece.

So, the next time you want to have something colorful and exciting in your wardrobe, be sure to take a look at the wide variety of African clothing. No other culture has such a fabulous combination of uniquely-colored fabrics, stylish-designs, exoticness, and above all comfort, all wrapped up into a single piece of garment.

About the Author:
Back To Africa is a family run business specializing in developing and distributing distinctive African products. Our Shea Butter and Black Soap come from a group of co-operative producers in Ghana, West Africa. Our products include Shea Butter, Perfume Oils, Oil Bottles, Oil Burners, Shadow Box, Soapstone, Woodcarvings, Ebony Carvings, etc.



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