Kikoi

Kikoy fabric in Nairobi
Traditional kikoi being worn.

A kikoi is a traditional rectangle of woven cloth originating from Africa. Considered a part of Swahili culture, the kikoi is mostly worn by the coastal people, but now also includes the Maasai people of Kenya and men from Tanzania and Zanzibar. It is most commonly viewed as a type of sarong.

Description

The kikoi is made of cotton and patterns are woven rather than dyed into the fabric. As with all sarongs, it is a single piece of cloth which is wrapped around the waist, and rolled over outwards a couple of times. Outside of their intended use as a sarong, they can be used as a sling to hold a baby, towel, or a head wrap.

History

The kikoi is said to have come to Kenya from Somalia. The city of Barawa was famous for its weaving of kikoi. A type of kikoi was called banadir, a name derived from its origin in the textile centers of Somalia's Banadir coast, a region historically renowned for its textile trade. The garment remains a popular souvenir for tourists visiting Kenya.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 BU African Studies Library (9 December 2019). "African Textile Collection". Storymaps.ArcGIS.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  2. ↑ Rabine, Leslie W. (2002). The global circulation of African fashion. Dress, body, culture. London, England: Berg. p. 102. ISBN 978-1-85973-593-0.
  3. ↑ Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand (1987). Weaving in Africa south of the Sahara. München: Panterra. p. 415. ISBN 978-3-7679-0270-1.
  4. ↑ Mukhtar, Mohamed Haji; Castagno, Margaret (2003). Historical dictionary of Somalia. African historical dictionary series. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-8108-6604-1.
  5. ↑ Hansen, Karen Tranberg; Madison, D. Soyini, eds. (2013). African dress: fashion, agency, performance. Dress, body, culture. London: Bloomsbury. pp. 157–158. ISBN 978-0-85785-380-6.
  6. ↑ Njogu, Kimani; Omar, Athman Lali; Twaweza Communications, eds. (2024). Bajuni land, language and orature. Nairobi, Kenya: Twaweza Communications Ltd. p. 161. ISBN 978-9966-128-24-9.
  7. ↑ Perry, Alex. "Nairobi: Finding the Perfect Souvenir". Time. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  8. ↑ Morris, Bernadine (1987). "Versatility in a Wrap Handmade in Kenya". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved 11 October 2020.