Traditional clothes in Nigeria: Unravel the World of Nigerian Traditional Attire
Do you know traditional clothes in Nigeria? Traditional dress is an important part of Nigerian culture. Traditional attire worn on special occasions varies from ethnic group to ethnic group, but the most common outfits are colorful and stylish.
Traditionally, Nigerian people wear colorful clothes that are usually made with natural materials. Traditional clothes in Nigeria are worn on important occasions, such as traditional weddings, cultural events, and parades. Traditional clothing varies by region of the country. For example, the northern region is known for wearing long dresses called “baale”, while the southern region prefers to wear “agbada”.
Traditional clothing can be passed down from generation to generation or bought at local markets. The most popular material used for making these outfits is cotton which comes in many different colors and patterns!
In this article, we’ll talk about what Nigerian traditional attire looks like and how it’s used in the country!
Culture and History
Traditional clothes in Nigeria are rooted in the culture and history of the people. Traditional clothes in Nigeria vary from region to region. In the northern part of the country, people wear long dresses called “baale”, whereas people in the southern regions prefer wearing “agbada”. Traditional clothing can be passed down from generation to generation or bought at local markets.
Traditional Clothing in Nigeria: Local Fashion Trends. The most popular material used for making these outfits is cotton.
What is traditional clothing in Nigeria?
Traditional clothing is a way of preserving the history and culture of a country. Traditional clothes in Nigeria vary from region to region, with each ethnic group having its traditional attires that are worn on important occasions such as weddings, cultural events, and celebrations. Traditional clothing can be passed down from generation to generation or bought at local markets. Local fashion trends have dominated Nigerian streets
Ethnic groups in Nigeria
Nigeria is a culturally and historically rich country. There are various ethnic groups in Nigeria. Although there are about three major ethnic groups in Nigeria, there are over 450 ethnic nationalities on record with their various clothes. Traditional attires represent different ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Traditional Clothes in Nigerian Ethnic Groups
Traditional clothes in Nigeria vary from region to region, and also within a particular ethnic group.
Traditional clothes in Nigerian major ethnic Groups
Major ethnic groups in Nigeria have their unique traditional clothes. Here are some Traditional outfits of the major Nigerian Ethnic groups:
Traditional clothes in Nigeria: Yoruba
How do the Yoruba dress? Although the Yorubas dress in modern apparel such as shirts and trousers, skirts and blouses, suits and gowns – many of which are acquired from the Europeans – they also dress in caftans, babanrigas, Senegalese boubous, and other styles influenced by Arab and African traditions.
Yoruba fashion and garment culture – which includes styles like the four-piece female iro (wrapper), buba (blouse), and ipele (shawl) with the gele accessory (headgear), as well as the male agbada (robe), buba and, dansiki (baggy shirts), Sokoto (trouser), and fila (cap accessory) – has long been associated with Aso-Oke.
Agbada
Yorubas traditionally wear garments called an Agbada or Buba is usually a long-sleeved shirt. It is a loose-fitting garment with pleats or wrinkles decorating the front and back, which fall to knee length. Agbaba has become one of the popular traditional clothes in Nigeria.
Agbada is a three-piece formal outfit consisting of an open-stitched full gown, a long-sleeved blouse, and Sokoto (a pair of ankle-narrowing trousers).
The attire is called darra’a (Maghrebi Arabic), agbada (Dagomba and , and mbubb (Wolof).
The agbada, a gown-like garment for men, comprises large flowing robes and comes in many different styles and designs. The front of this attires has embroidery on it. Traditional jewelry such as beads is added to these clothes during celebrations or festivals.
Fila
Fila is a traditional male Yoruba hat. Fila has become part of the most formal Western dress code in Nigeria today. Traditional jewelry such as beads is added to these clothes during celebrations or festivals.
Dashiki
The dashiki is a brightly colored baggy shirt. It is one of the traditional clothes in Nigeria that is also popular in other West African countries. Dashiki or “dyshque” is derived from the Yoruba dàk, a loanword from Hausa dan ciki, which means “shirt” or “inner garment” (as compared to the outer garment, babban riga).
Buba and Sokoto
The Buba and Sokoto are the traditional male and attires in Yorubaland, Nigeria. Buba consists of a long buba (chemise) with an open collar worn over loose-fitting trousers gathered at the ankles – called a Sokoto.
The fabric for these attires ranges from lace to rich silk brocade and printed cotton. Traditional jewelry such as beads can be seen on both men and women wearing them, especially during festive occasions. The robe is worn with headgear.
What is a Buba in Nigeria?
Pronounced boo-bah, buba is a Yoruba word that refers to the upper layer of clothing. The buba is also worn by ladies with an iro (wrapper) and gele (head tie).
What is Buba made of?
Mine was made of printed silk fabric, but they are available in a variety of styles and materials. From African print cloth to chiffon, satin, and color-blocking of various patterns, there’s something for everyone.
Traditional clothes in Nigeria: Hausa:
What is the name of Hausa traditional clothes?
Hausa traditional outfits for men are composed of two garments; an under-shirt (wara) and a shirt (kami). Men’s traditional clothing also includes unusual outfits known as Babban Riga. The bulk of the male population also wears colorful caps known as Fula, which vary in appearance depending on the location.
Babban Riga
Babban Riga is Hausa/Fulani traditional attire for men. The outfit consists of a long-sleeved shirt and matching baggy trousers, which are wrapped around the waist.
The men are immediately identified by their ornate clothing, which includes this wide flowing gown known as the Babban Riga and a robe known as the jalabia and juanni. Embroidery motifs are generally found around the neck of these wide flowing robes. Men also use hula caps, which are colorful embroidered caps.
Fulani traditional women’s clothing is striking, to say the least—long wraparound skirts or loose pants worn underneath colorful blouses with voluminous sleeves make up their attire for special occasions like weddings.
Abada
Hausa women typically wear African print cloths fashioned into dresses known as bubbas (or abada). It’s also common among them to adorn themselves with long beads necklaces (kanaga) that fall over their chests.
Babban Riga is frequently worn with jalabia and juanni robes.
Kami
The kami usually comes with rich embroidery around the neckline often accompanied by intricate designs on cuffs and collars.
What is the name of Fulani traditional attire?
The Fulani Traditional Ladies’ Attire is a vibrant kaleidoscope of red, blue, and green embroidery. It’s elegantly woven into a white fabric palette. The Mudukare garment is the name given to this outfit. A sleeveless half-top and wrapper are included in the outfit.
What is Leppi?
Petel’s gorgeous traditional clothes are made for numerous ceremonial events by the Fulani tribe in West Africa. Although women are the only ones who wear traditional leppi, or woven fabrics, in this patriarchal community, it is the men who complete the weaving process.
Traditional clothes in Nigeria: Igbo:
What is Igbo attire?
Igbo traditional outfits are characterized by the use of ankara fabric, red ocher, and beads among other materials.
Traditional Igbo clothing consists mostly of fabrics wrapped around the waist or hips and covering most parts of the body below that area; though there exists traditional Igbo attire which covers more than just half of their skin due to special occasions like marriage ceremonies etcetera. These cloths can be supplemented by rich bangles made out of bronze called “Igbagbunwe”.
Igbo traditional clothing with a modern twist:
Isiagu
For men, modern Igbo traditional costume consists primarily of the Isiagu top, which resembles the Yoruba Dashiki. Isiagu (or Ishi agu) is a type of apparel that is frequently embroidered with lions’ heads, but it can simply be plain (usually black).
It is made of two pieces, with the front and back overlapping each other.
Iwoolu
Modern Igbo traditional attire for men also includes ‘Iwoolu’ or Sleeve-less shirts which are worn underneath their Isiagu top. Iwoodu traditional clothes of Igbo people are usually plain. Iwoodu attire can be worn with either blue or black trousers, provided the fashion reflects traditional clothes in Nigeria.
Okpu Agada
Traditional Igbo trousers called “Okpu Agada” must be donned on formal occasions while modern ones are just plain white Yoruba/Fulani Sarongs that resembles more like a skirt than trousers. However, some people opt to wear Traditional Ikat designs which can speak volumes about one’s status in society
For Igbo Ladies;
Isiagu top is the most prominent piece of clothing among traditional attire for Igbo ladies, which consists of two pieces; an inner garment (Igwe) and an outer dress (Isiagu).
Igwe
The Igwe under-dress has three parts to it – ‘Uli’, front part, middle part, and back part’. The Uli consists mostly of white material decorated with motifs in bright colors like reds, greens. This can be considered as their underwear. The next layer above this is called “Ogbunike”. It’s made up of colorful fabric tied over one shoulder leaving the other shoulder bare.
Ogbunike
Ogbunike is ordinarily worn by all women in the community, but Uli is only put on when they are about to go out.
Isiagu
The outer dress consists of material that can be wrapped around their waist and tied at the back with some leftover fabric hanging from it as an extension – this part is called “Isu” or ‘skirt’. The Isu hangs down to just above the ankles and ties round them under any legs that may show through. Traditional Igbo ladies wear a blouse (called Igbuku) underneath their Isu. It’s made up of white cloth with colorful borders sewn onto it; often matching those found along the edges of their skirts/lappa below and around her neckline.
Traditional clothes in Nigeria: Efik/Ibibio
A look at Efik natives’ traditional clothing is surely one-of-a-kind. With all those brilliant colors, intricate styles, and tons of eye-catching embellishments, it’s simply amazing. Simply enter into the dazzling world of Efik gowns and marvel at what you’ll find!
Traditional clothes in Ibibio Traditional attires worn during celebrations consist of handmade fabrics stitched into elegant African wax prints styles tailored to fit the occasion perfectly.
Usobo
Men typically wear Usobo, a traditional wrapper, at Ibibio wedding rituals and events. It’s an ankle-length piece of fabric that’s coiled into a skirt-like shape and adorned with traditional adornments.
The chieftaincy shirt is an important aspect of the Ibibio man’s attire.
What is the name of Tiv attire?
The native clothing of the Tiv people is a fabric that is wrapped around the waist and reaches the knees. Turbans are worn by men. Tiv favors traditional black and white clothing. A’nger is their traditional clothing.
Fascinating traditional wedding attires Nigeria
The Nigerian culture has come out with great fashion sense when it comes to weddings especially among the major ethnic groups – Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa/Fulani and Efik/Ibibio. Traditional women’s clothing for wedding ceremonies differs from place to place mostly depending on the tribe but they all share one commonality; intricate designs that reflect their cultural heritage while keeping it classy at the same time.
Traditional wedding outfits in Nigeria usually feature intricate embroidery that displays cultural heritage symbols such as flowers, birds, animals, etc., which vary depending on the ethnic nationality.
The two main styles of native wedding clothing found in Efik include Ofod Ukod Anwang and Onyonyo. This outfit consists of two pieces of clothing: one is a skirt that falls from the bride’s waist to her knees, and the other is a tiny fabric that covers the bride’s upper body.
