It’s been said over and over again that you are judged by your appearance. But it’s always been denoted to be relevant in the business and employment sectors. But how about taking a look at what you are wearing today. I love cultural dress for one single reason; it tells on you before you say anything!
(Left: Women clad in Khangas)
You can spot a Ugandan a mile away when they are wearing the Gomasi or Kanzu, a Nigerian by the extensive headdress and rich fabric of the Agbada or the Ghanaians adorned in their outfits made of Kente cloth. There is always something that an African National will wear that will yell, HERE I AM!
In 2004 there was an effort in Kenya to create a national dress. I applaud the efforts of the designers, but it just never kicked off. The Kenyan dress is cannot be stand
ard. How can it be when you are dealing with a multi ethnic nation?
Kenyans may not be flashy like their West African counterparts, but one thing we do and do well is accessorize the different cultural bits and bobs. Dangling wood earrings, a
bangle made of Maasai beads and spruced up leather sandals with Maasai beads and crowned with a kikoy bag.
Another common scene is head wrapping, similar to the Nigerian head dress. Women use, big and bold colours and wrap their hair in dynamic shapes, one Kenyan woman known for this is Orie Rogo Manduli (Shown right). She doesn’t hold back.
Other than just the head wraps I love the all natural look that Kenyan women are adapting losing the relaxed hair. There is a strong authentic African look with dreadlocks and natural cropped afros which make the facial features just pop out! We are a beautiful people.
From the head to the neck to the outfits made of Khangas and Kikois; Kenyans are adorning themselves in the way they know best. Then on our feet other than the sandals and imports from china, Europe and America, some Kenyans were rubber shoes. And when I say rubber, I mean car tyre rubber in the form of what we call Akala. Akala are perfect for a weekend out of town, they are sturdy and strong and mostly men are the ones who wear them.
I love seeing Kenyan men in branded Kenyan rugby or football team shirts. I know you may have expected me to say something more fancy, but I love the way they look. There is just something about a Kenyan guy in a simple Kenya rugby shirt and a pair of jeans with Akalas (shown right)!
All in all, when it comes to dress, Kenyans don’t re-invent the wheel; we just put different cultural elements together and make the most of the diversity we have. Now that’s a flashy way of being patriotic.
No comments:
Post a Comment