How to Wear African Prints 101

African identity comes in various shapes, shades and standards, as do African textiles. There's the kente cloth (woven by Ashanti and Ewe people), akwete (Igbo), adire (Yoruba), barkcloth (Buganda) and so many more. The dangers of labeling these various prints as a complete representation of all of Africa limits the multi-dimensional identity of the African people.

So let’s learn a thing or two today!

KENTE

You might be familiar with the kente cloth as just the famous African print f plastered over ‘festival,’ or ‘bohemian’ fast fashion clothing under their “tribal” or “exotic” collections. But there’s much more the kente look than what our stores make it seem. Historically, the kente cloth is a patterned piece that was exclusive to those of high status. Typically worn in Ghanaian cultures created by the Ashanti and Ewe people, kente cloth displays social/ political status and cultural history within its weaving. Kente is woven in 3- to 4-inch-wide strips, that come in bright colors and can contain geometric shapes and motifs. Spacing, placement, even color choice possess a specific role within each kente garment.

ASOKE

Asoke fabric is found in Nigeria and typically worn for specific ceremonial purposes such as weddings, funerals, etc. The fabric is known for being incredibly sturdy three main colors including a natural beige, deep indigo and magenta silk colors. Now, you can find the asoke fabric in a variety of colors, being used by high fashion designers including Stella Jean and Burberry.

Mudcloth / Bògòlanfini

Mudcloth originates from the Mali Bamana culture. Traditionally, mudcloth designs were solely used by hunters to aid in camouflage and give reference to their role in the community. Its appearance is created by weaving the cloth together and then dyeing the finished product with fermented mud. Mudcloth was also worn by women entering adulthood and again after giving birth to help protect them. The patterns found on mudcloth relay the cultural importance of their war battles, nature, animals (specifically crocodiles) as well as proverbs.

So what’s the harm in wearing clothing that clashes different identities together? Well for one, it erases the idea of Africans as individuals and African states as separate entities. By carelessly meshing prints, patterns, and identities together unconsciously spreads the message that individuals do not matter. And to further market these misrepresented pieces as innovative simply because a fashion brand splattered their logo all over it does not make any better. It relays the message that your identity and your culture are not valuable enough until it has been made “trendy” by temporary Western standards. Let’s not cheapen another culture by giving it a Western makeover, and instead just appreciate and support what they are now, because that is enough.

Want to learn more about African prints? Of course you do! Check out these sources, zuvaa and africaimports.