What is traditional African clothing called?
The dashiki is a colorful garment worn mostly in West Africa.
What is a lesso Kenya?
The word Kanga means guinea-fowl in Kiswahili. You may know it as ‘Leso’, which is commonly used on the Kenyan coast. It’s derived from the handkerchief squares the Portuguese called Lencos. As early as the 1850s women in the coastal regions of Kenya and Tanzania were buying uncut linen squares from Portuguese traders.
What is a Swahili kanga?
Kanga (also called ‘Leso’ in Kenya) is a rectangular shaped, 100% cotton, printed cloth with a brightly coloured decorative border around the outside and includes a Swahili proverb.
How much is a kanga in Tanzania?
the Kanga has a price between 3000 (2 uSd) and 7000 (approx. 4.5 uSd) tanzanian shilling while the price of the Kitenge ranges from 11000 (approx. 7 uSd) to 30000 (approx. 20 uSd) tanzanian shilling.
What is a kanga and where did it originate?
The origin of the kanga can be traced back to coastal East Africa in the mid-19th Century. They were sewn together into single designs called ‘Leso’ after the square kerchiefs that had originally been brought to Africa by Portuguese traders.
Why is the kanga cloth so important in Eastern and Central Africa?
The talking cloth loved by all The Kanga has become a medium of communication, aimed at integration and individualisation. The images and Swahili texts inscribed on the Kanga are used to pass on various messages, including those which are social, political, religious, or health or development related.
What do Swahili value?
Swahili people greatly value modest behavior. Men and women are not permitted to mix freely. Dating is generally non-existent. Most people pursue their daily activities with others of the same gender.
When did the Kanga start in East Africa?
Kangas have existed in East Africa since the mid 19th century. In the 1870s Muslim Women in Zanzibar and Mombasa, Kenya, bought printed bandanas, imported by Portuguese traders. They sewed 6 of these colourful bandanas together to make a unique piece of cloth, which they could wear modestly.
Why do women wear Kanga in East Africa?
Sina siri nina jibu (I have no secrets but I have an answer) Women will wear a specific kanga to communicate a non-verbal message to their community. This form of communication, often between women, can be about personal feelings, relationships, politics, education, health or religion.
What’s the difference between Kanga and Kitenge in Africa?
Kanga is a much lighter and thinner cloth than Kitenge (also known as African print fabric or ‘ ankara fabric ‘ in West Africa). Kitenge is usually bought in continuous 3 or 6 pieces and is more popular for making clothing, curtains, cushions and bedding.
Where do they make Kangas in the world?
Kangas were commonly produced in India, China, Europe (UK) and Japan until the 1960s when factories were set-up in Kenya and Tanzania. They now use large, industrial rotary screen-printing machines and can produce large quantities in bulk.