Nigerian Traditional Clothing SS2 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note

Introduction to Nigerian Fashion

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.

What makes Nigerian traditional wear special?

1. The Fabric: We use hand-woven fabrics like Aso-Oke, Akwete, and Bazin.
2. The Volume: Many of our traditional clothes are big and “regal” to show importance.
3. The Accessories: We use beads, horsetails (Ufere), and specialized caps to complete the look.

The “Total Look”: In Nigeria, you are not fully dressed in traditional wear unless you have your headgear (Gele or Fila) and your accessories. A designer must know how to coordinate the fabric with the right trimmings.

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 & 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 & 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).

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 & 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).

The Hausa/Fulani Style (North)

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

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 colorful wax print (Ankara) designs.

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

Styles from Other Groups (The “Minority” Gems)

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

• The Edo (Mid-West): 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).

Practical Task: 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.