Nigerian Traditional Clothing – SS2 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note (Third Term)

Nigerian traditional clothing is the dress that each ethnic group wears for special occasions such as weddings, coronations and festivals. It is made from fabrics like Aso-Oke and Akwete, often cut in large, regal shapes, and completed with accessories such as beads, caps and headgear. The Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa/Fulani each have their own styles.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State what makes Nigerian traditional wear special.
2. Name common men’s and women’s traditional styles of the Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa/Fulani.
3. Identify the main traditional fabrics of each of these three groups.
4. Describe traditional styles from the Edo, Efik/Ibibio and Tiv peoples.
5. Explain why headgear and accessories matter in the “total look”.

What makes Nigerian traditional wear special?

Nigeria is a country of many cultures, and each one has a unique way of dressing. Traditional clothing is usually worn for special occasions like weddings, coronations and festivals.

1. The fabric: Nigerians use rich fabrics like Aso-Oke, Akwete and Bazin. Aso-Oke and Akwete are hand-woven.
2. The volume: Many traditional clothes are big and “regal” to show importance.
3. The accessories: Beads, horsetails (Ufere) and specialised caps complete the look.

What is the “total look”?

In Nigeria, traditional wear is not complete without headgear (Gele or Fila) and accessories. A designer must know how to coordinate the fabric with the right trimmings.

What is the Yoruba style (South-West)?

The Yoruba people are famous for their love of “Aso-Ebi” (family cloth) and heavy hand-woven textiles.

Common men’s styles

• Agbada: A very large, flowing robe worn over a buba and sokoto. It often has beautiful embroidery on the chest.
• Buba and Sokoto: A loose-fitting shirt and trousers.
• Fila: The cap. It can be a Gobi (style that sits up) or an Abeti-aja (looks like dog ears).

Common women’s styles

• Iro and Buba: A wrap-around skirt (Iro) and a loose blouse (Buba).
• Gele: The headtie. This is the “crown” of the Yoruba woman.
• Ipele: A matching shawl placed over the shoulder or tied around the waist.

Main fabric

Aso-Oke (Top-Cloth), which comes in types like Sanyan (brown), Alaari (red) and Etu (dark blue).

What is the Igbo style (South-East)?

The Igbo traditional attire is elegant and often features very symbolic accessories.

Common men’s styles

• Isi-Agu: A high-quality shirt (usually velvet or cotton) printed with lion heads. It is worn with plain trousers.
• Red cap: Worn by titled men (Ozo) or chiefs.
• Walking stick and fan: These are symbols of authority and adulthood.

Common women’s styles

• Double wrapper: Two pieces of George or Wax fabric tied around the waist. One is longer than the other.
• Lace blouse: Usually heavily embroidered with beads or sequins.
• Beads (Ife-Ima-Ife): Coral beads worn around the neck, wrists and sometimes the ankles.

Main fabric

Akwete (hand-woven cloth from Abia State) and George (heavily decorated lace or silk).

What is the Hausa/Fulani style (North)?

Northern Nigerian clothing is designed for modesty and protection from the heat and sun of the savanna.

Common men’s styles

• Babban Riga: Similar to the Agbada, it is a large, embroidered robe.
• Kaftan: A long, loose shirt that reaches the knees or ankles.
• Fula: A small, circular embroidered cap.
• Turban: Wrapped around the head or neck, especially by royalty and during the Durbar festival.

Common women’s styles

• Abaya: A long, flowing cloak that covers the whole body.
• Hijab/Mudukare: Head coverings for modesty.
• Atampa: The Hausa name for colourful wax print (Ankara) designs.

Beauty feature

Lali (Henna): Northern women decorate their hands and feet with beautiful dark patterns for weddings and Eid.

What are the styles of other ethnic groups?

Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups, and their styles are just as beautiful.

• The Edo (South-South): Famous for their massive use of Coral Beads (Ivie). The bride wears an Okuku (a crown made of beads sewn into the hair).
• The Efik/Ibibio (South-South): The women wear the Onyonyo, a big, flowing Victorian-style gown, or a wrapper with a “staff” in hand.
• The Tiv (Middle Belt): Known for the A’nger cloth, which is a striking black and white striped hand-woven fabric.

Class discussion

Look at the different styles mentioned. Can you see any similarities? (Example: almost all cultures use a “wrapper” of some kind.)

Evaluation

1. Name three things that make Nigerian traditional wear special.
2. Describe the Agbada and say which group wears the Babban Riga, its northern equivalent.
3. List the three types of Aso-Oke mentioned and the colour of each.
4. Who wears the red cap in Igbo culture, and what do the walking stick and fan stand for?
5. Which ethnic group is known for the A’nger cloth, and how does it look?

Assignment

Identify a traditional fabric from your own home town. Bring a small scrap of it to the next class and explain what it is used for and the name of the style it creates.