Home > Nigeria Map > Nigerian Culture > Nigerian Clothing

Nigerian Clothing

by Vishal Kumar

Nigerian clothing is unique and attractive. Lace, jacquard, adire, and ankara are some of the materials that are used to prepare dresses in Nigeria. Nigerian clothing for women include buba, kaba, iro, gele…


Nigerian clothing is unique and attractive. Lace, jacquard, adire, and ankara are some of the materials that are used to prepare dresses in Nigeria. Nigerian clothing for women include buba, kaba, iro, gele and iborun or ipele and Nigerian clothing for men include buba, fila, sokoto, abeti-aja and agbada. Other than traditional attire, the people also wear western attires.

The ethnic diversity of Nigeria is reflected well in its clothing culture. Learn about the various types of Nigerian clothing for men and women.

The important materials for Nigerian clothing are – lace, jacquard, adire, and ankara. The people are also fond of tie and die materials.

Nigerian Clothing for women

Nigerian dresses for women include buba, kaba, iro, gele and iborun or ipele. Here is what they are used for:

  • Buba is a loose blouse that reaches down a little below the waist. Kaba is basically a single-piece dress, which can have different styles.
  • Iro is the bottom part of clothing, which is a rectangular piece of cloth that is wrapped around the waist
  • Gele is a headgear. It is a rectangular piece of cloth that be tied in different ways to give different looks.
  • Iborun or ipele is a scarf that is either tied around the neck or just can be put diagonally across the body.

 

Nigerian clothing for men

Nigerian dresses for men include buba, fila, sokoto, abeti-aja and agbada. Their details are as follows:

  1. Buba is a loose shirt that goes down till halfway down the thighs.
  2. Fila is a traditional cap.
  3. Sokoto is the pant or trouser, which covers the lower part of the body.
  4. Abeti-aja is another type of cap, which has longer sides.
  5. Agbada is a festive clothing comprising buba and sokoto.

Nigerians put on a range of clothes, which include both traditional and western dressing. They take pride in wearing their traditional attire. Clothing is a significant part of the ceremonies. In the North, Nigerian dresses are primarily worn to work. However, in the south, western attire is more predominant. People wear suits, skirts and blouses, baseball caps and other dresses.

On the whole, Nigerian clothing is very unique and interesting.