Pakaja

Yoruba man dressed in Kaja mode, with a Gogowu robe, Gobi cap and Kembe trouser.

Yoruba men in Pakaja attire and Itagbe Aṣọ Ọlọna at the Alake's palace, Abeokuta, 1972.

Pakaja also known as Ibora Oke, or simply as Kaja is a type of Yoruba clothing style worn by men and women in different styles. The Yoruba dictionary of 1852 describes it as passing a 'country cloth' from under the arm to the shoulder.

It is a Toga-like style. Kaja is the name of the outfit itself while to Pa Kaja is the verbal act of wearing it which may also substitute as the name of the dressing style. Pakaja can be donned in any fabric of choice.

Types and variations

The Kaja can be done with one or two wrappers, and can be knotted on one or both shoulders. There are two main styles/types:

Guru — This is when the toga leaves a trail/train that can be left fallen or held in the arm when moving around.
Gogowu — This is the style, as well as the large wrapper draped around the body, on the Buba or Kukumo (Togo) vest when going out, but which doesn't touch the ground.

References

↑ "Wo ìtàn Orunmila, Babaláwo àkọ́kọ́ àti ohun tó fi sílẹ̀ lọ níbí". BBC News Yorùbá (in Yoruba). 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
↑ Ovirih, Steve (2020-08-06). "Jegede may lose Guber victory over choice of running mate - Erelu Tinuade Mabel Onaneye". ThePolity. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
↑ Crowther, Sammuel Adjai; Vidal, Owen Emeric (1852). "A vocabulary of the Yoruba language". London : Seeleys. Retrieved 24 October 2026.
↑ Oyeniyi, Bukola Adeyemi (2015-09-08). Dress in the Making of African Identity: A Social and Cultural History of the Yoruba People. Cambria Press. ISBN 978-1-62196-719-4.
↑ Lawal, Nike; Sadiku, Matthew N. O.; Dopamu, P. Adelumo (2004). Understanding Yoruba Life and Culture. Africa World Press. p. 383. ISBN 978-1-59221-025-1. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
↑ Crowther, Samuel (1843). Vocabulary of the Yoruba Language: Part I. English and Yoruba. Part II. Yoruba and English. To which are Prefixed, the Grammatical Elements of the Yoruba Language. Church missionary society. Retrieved 27 October 2026.

[1] "Wo ìtàn Orunmila, Babaláwo àkọ́kọ́ àti ohun tó fi sílẹ̀ lọ níbí". BBC News Yorùbá (in Yoruba). 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2023-12-31.

[2] Ovirih, Steve (2020-08-06). "Jegede may lose Guber victory over choice of running mate - Erelu Tinuade Mabel Onaneye". ThePolity. Retrieved 2023-12-31.

[YorubaDico-3] Crowther, Sammuel Adjai; Vidal, Owen Emeric (1852). "A vocabulary of the Yoruba language". London : Seeleys. Retrieved 24 October 2026.

[4] Oyeniyi, Bukola Adeyemi (2015-09-08). Dress in the Making of African Identity: A Social and Cultural History of the Yoruba People. Cambria Press. ISBN 978-1-62196-719-4.

[5] Lawal, Nike; Sadiku, Matthew N. O.; Dopamu, P. Adelumo (2004). Understanding Yoruba Life and Culture. Africa World Press. p. 383. ISBN 978-1-59221-025-1. Retrieved 27 October 2026.

[6] Crowther, Samuel (1843). Vocabulary of the Yoruba Language: Part I. English and Yoruba. Part II. Yoruba and English. To which are Prefixed, the Grammatical Elements of the Yoruba Language. Church missionary society. Retrieved 27 October 2026.