<span style="font-weight: 400;">In Africa, every country has their own way of dressing. These dresses or outfits are collectively termed African traditional dresses. These dresses symbolize rich cultural heritage and diversity. They are usually made from hand woven, dyed or printed cloths that come in bold colours and unique designs.</span>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Types of traditional dresses</span></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">There are various types of African traditional dresses on the continent. Indigenes of the countries have multiple outfits that represent not only their countries but tribes as well. Here are a few of the types of traditional African dresses you'll find.</span>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kente</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://knotting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pexels-built-by-king-11403821.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-6379" src="https://knotting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pexels-built-by-king-11403821-200x300.jpg" alt="African traditional dresses" width="200" height="300" /></a></span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Although it is native to the people of Ghana, Kente is popular not only in Africa but worldwide. It is an interwoven cotton and silk fabric that comes in rich colours. The Ashanti ethnic group are known to be the largest producer     of Kente cloth. Kente can be sewn into any style like dresses, skirts or draped over the shoulders and accessorized with beads by the men.</span>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kitenge</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://knotting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pexels-terricks-noah-1936154.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-6383" src="https://knotting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pexels-terricks-noah-1936154-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The East African wax print is popular amongst the people of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Sudan. Kitenge has gained popularity worldwide over the years. Aside from dresses, Kitenge can be sewn into other fashionable items like skirts, shirts, shorts, etc.</span>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dashiki</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://knotting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pexels-rodnae-productions-6191894-1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-6381" src="https://knotting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pexels-rodnae-productions-6191894-1-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Dashiki is one African traditional dress that has made waves all over the world. The bright coloured garment originates from West Africa and is quite similar to Kitenge. The popular Dashiki style is a loose top that can be worn by both men and women over a pair of trousers or shorts. They can also be sewn into dresses or any other style.</span>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Isi agu</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://knotting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Isi-Agu-bridal-dress-_-isi-Agu-couples-outfit-_-Isi-Agu-wedding-outfit-Womens-out_Mens-outfit.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-6378" src="https://knotting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Isi-Agu-bridal-dress-_-isi-Agu-couples-outfit-_-Isi-Agu-wedding-outfit-Womens-out_Mens-outfit-237x300.jpeg" alt="" width="237" height="300" /></a></span>

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Credit: Pinterest</span></i>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">Isi agu means "lion head" in the Igbo language. It is a traditional attire worn by the people of Eastern Nigeria.Some years ago, Isiagu was solely men's clothing. However, in current times, women wear dresses made from the material.  Isi agu is a loose fitting short or long sleeve top that has a lion head patterned on the fabric. The African traditional dress is unisex and paired with a cap for men and accessorized with beads. Women can also pair it with flat shoes, sandals and heels.</span>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shuka</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://knotting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pexels-kureng-workx-7637397.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-6380" src="https://knotting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pexels-kureng-workx-7637397-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Also known as the African blanket, Shuka is a popular cloth in East Africa, worn by the Maasai people. The Shuka cloth is mostly red and black striped fabric. Shuka is usually accessorized with beads.</span>

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<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">What is the traditional dress of Africa?</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;"> One thing about African traditional dresses is that they show cultural diversity. So while Kente is native to Ghanaians, it is worn by people from other countries in Africa. In the same way, Dashiki dresses, Kitenge dresses, etc, are worn in other African countries. This goes to say that Africa does not have one traditional dress but a variety of traditional dresses.</span>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">What is the most popular cloth in Africa?</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Looking at the popularity in Africa and all over the world, Dashiki, Kitenge, Kente and Ankara are the most popular clothes in Africa. Celebrities like Beyonce, Viola Davis, Jhene Aiko, Michelle Obama and others all over the world have been spotted in Ankara prints, Kente or Kitenge. The colours and patterns of these clothes make them eye-catching and unique, making them bold fashion statement pieces.</span>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">What are traditional dresses in Nigeria?</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">If there's one thing Nigerians are known for, it is their flashy and colourful attire. Every ethnic group or tribe in Nigeria has a style of dressing, and talking about all of them is nearly impossible so let's look at 3 popular Nigerian traditional dresses or attire. </span>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Iro and Buba</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Iro and Buba also known as Iro ati Buba is a traditional dress native to the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Iro is an African print wrapper tied around the waist while buba is a long-sleeved loose fitting blouse.</span>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aso ebi</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://knotting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pexels-s-and-s-love-story-11086909.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-6382" src="https://knotting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pexels-s-and-s-love-story-11086909-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" /></a></span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Aso ebi is quite popular when it comes to African traditional dresses. The style is similar to Iro and Buba except that Aso ebi is usually worn during marriage ceremonies. It is a four piece clothing made of a head piece, loose-fitting blouse, wrapper and an additional cloth placed on the shoulder. </span>

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<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">What is an African woman's dress called?</span></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Formerly in Ghana, women wore a blouse and long fitting skirt called Kaba and the slit. It's still in vogue and comes in so many trendy styles. In Nigeria, there are Aso ebi and Iro and Buba. In Eastern Africa, there's Shuka which is worn by men and women, Isidwaba which is worn by the people in the Southern part of Africa and Djabella which is native to North Africa.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">One would think that African traditional dresses are no longer existent in Africa's fashion due to how Westernized fashion in Africa has become. Interestingly, that's not the case, Africans have blended both the African traditional dresses and Western clothes to create a unique fashion industry. Africa's fashion is gradually influencing fashion in other continents and soon, African traditional attires will be patronized and worn all over the world. African traditional dresses are not limited to just the ones mentioned in this article. There are so many options out there. Hopefully, we'll learn about the rest in our subsequent articles.</span>

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