Picnic style day events have become the in-thing in Gaborone and across the country owing mainly to the previous strict liquor trading ours and curfew imposed by the previous government administration under former President Ian Khama.
Botswana African Attire on Fleek Picnic is set to be the new kid on the block, aimed at celebrating African pride and attire, and offering African inspired dishes.
“We will also be showcasing various African inspired attire by various local designers in order to appreciate our own local designers and help grow their industry, We hope people will come in numbers to be part of this new initiative,” says organizer David Letshwiti.
Letshwiti says the inspiration came from African inspired designs having taken the fashion industry by storm lately, combining traditional African designs with a more western touch. “The current form of African fashion is the result of gradual change over a century when Arab and European traders entered in Africa and left their impact on the African clothing.
While western inspired fashion is the order of the day African attire has been mainly reserved for special occasions.” Most common African attires include: Leteisi being the most popular fabric in Botswana, coming in different colors and patterns most commonly worn by women during wedding celebrations and other cultural ceremonies.
Kaftan is also popular among both African men and women. It’s usually made of wool, cashmere, silk, or cotton. It is also known as boubous, a full-length robe. Initially, the trend of wearing kaftans was only specific to East African women and later it got huge popularity in West African countries like Ghana, Senegal, and Mali.
The prints and colours of African clothing distinguish them which ranges from light stone colors to bright indigo color. Beads and embroidery are the essential parts of traditional women’s attire and you always see them wearing heavy jewelry made of stones and copper. Skirts, tie and dye, and flamboyant are the popular African attires among the young girls.
Dashikis and boubous are the common traditional outfits for men. Dashiki is a long-sleeved shirt which one can pair with matching pants and kofia. Kofia is a traditional hat in the form of a small round cap worn by men.
In extreme temperature days, people opt for t-shirts and shorts while men from Tanzania wear kanzu.
Long kaftans similar to groom’s dashikis or long white gown are the common outfits for the bride.
Most of the guests in weddings are seen in vibrant prints, woven clothes, and wrap skirts. Kente fabric which comes in three colors, red, orange, and green has also great importance for wedding events. On the other hand, grooms wear dashikis along long jacket and fila.
Fila is a big hat which also makes the perfect fit with pant coat. Zulus of South Africa are still loyal to their cultural attires and wear leopard skin and dyed feathers. Beaded necklaces and hoops are used to accessorize. The African Attire on Fleek event is scheduled for Bojanala Water Front on Saturday March 2nd, 2019. Tickets are available at Webtickets.
