One item of East African clothing that differs from what we North Americans are accustomed to is called the Kanga.
The kanga is a colorful patterned garment worn usually as a wrap frequently by women and occasionally by men. It is a piece of printed cotton fabric, about 1.5m by 1m. A distinguishing feature of a Kanga is a Swahili expression along the longer edge of the Kanga. Apart from its protective and decorative role, the kanga is all about sending the message.
The Kanga message is the equivalent of the get well, greetings, or congratulations cards in the western culture.
Kangas are the perfect gift. Husbands give kangas to wives, children give kangas to their mothers, a woman may split a pair of kangas to give half to her best friend.
Men can sleep in kangas, and often wear them around the house. Women wear them everywhere, babies are virtually born into them; and are usually carried in a soft sling of kanga cloth.
Kangas are extremely popular throughout East Africa not only for clothing but for their multiple uses; no-one can ever have too many kangas!
The Kanga is still evolving. Like the T-shirt but incomparably more elegant and useful; it is a valuable medium for personal political, social and religious expression.
As an art form as well as a beautiful, convenient garment, the kanga has become an integral part of East African culture. As the saying goes, "The kanga struts in style..." Wear it with a smile!
The kanga is a colorful patterned garment worn usually as a wrap frequently by women and occasionally by men. It is a piece of printed cotton fabric, about 1.5m by 1m. A distinguishing feature of a Kanga is a Swahili expression along the longer edge of the Kanga. Apart from its protective and decorative role, the kanga is all about sending the message.
The Kanga message is the equivalent of the get well, greetings, or congratulations cards in the western culture.
Kangas are the perfect gift. Husbands give kangas to wives, children give kangas to their mothers, a woman may split a pair of kangas to give half to her best friend.
Men can sleep in kangas, and often wear them around the house. Women wear them everywhere, babies are virtually born into them; and are usually carried in a soft sling of kanga cloth.
Kangas are extremely popular throughout East Africa not only for clothing but for their multiple uses; no-one can ever have too many kangas!
The Kanga is still evolving. Like the T-shirt but incomparably more elegant and useful; it is a valuable medium for personal political, social and religious expression.
As an art form as well as a beautiful, convenient garment, the kanga has become an integral part of East African culture. As the saying goes, "The kanga struts in style..." Wear it with a smile!
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