Kampalans take on Nigerian style
Mar 22, 2007
THE popularity of Nigerian movies among Ugandans has come with a fascination for Nigerian outfits. And this has subsequently led to the establishment of shops in Kampala that exclusively sell Nigerian clothing. Most of these shops are owned or run by Nigerians, whose influx into the country has also
By Gilbert Mwijuke
THE popularity of Nigerian movies among Ugandans has come with a fascination for Nigerian outfits. And this has subsequently led to the establishment of shops in Kampala that exclusively sell Nigerian clothing.
Most of these shops are owned or run by Nigerians, whose influx into the country has also increased.
Esther Jaccum, a Nigerian actress, who has lived in Uganda for the last six years, owns E Creations at the National Theatre, which sells Nigerian clothes. Jaccum says: “When I began selling Nigerian designs in Kampala, the demand was very low. I almost lost morale.
But the demand increased gradually and business is booming.†Available at E Creations are men, women and children’s wear; all imported from Nigeria and other West African countries.
Some of the materials used are Lace, Jacquard, Adire and Ankara. Although most Ugandans classify these cloths as Kitengi, they have their own traditional names.
For women, there are the following pieces of clothing: Buba, which is a loose neck blouse, usually with long sleeves and long enough to go a little past the waist.
There is also the Iro — the bottom part of the outfit. Unfolded, it looks like a plain rectangular sheet.
When worn, it is wrapped around the waist and folded to stay in place. Ichefuisi is the headpiece.
Unfolded, this also looks like a smaller plain rectangular sheet, but it can be folded or tied in different ways.
The prices for these range from sh25,000 to sh38,000. For men, there is Buba, which is also a loose neck shirt, usually long enough to go halfway down the thighs.
The Sokoto are the lower part of the men’s clothing, (trousers); while Fila is the round cap that is worn on the head. There is also the Agbada and Kaftani.
On festive occasions, men wear this over their Buba and Sokoto. It is a wide-armed piece of clothing, usually with a V-shaped neck and long enough to reach the floor.
The arms are so long that they need to be bunched together when worn.
The prices for these range from sh35,000 to sh180,000.
THE popularity of Nigerian movies among Ugandans has come with a fascination for Nigerian outfits. And this has subsequently led to the establishment of shops in Kampala that exclusively sell Nigerian clothing.
Most of these shops are owned or run by Nigerians, whose influx into the country has also increased.
Esther Jaccum, a Nigerian actress, who has lived in Uganda for the last six years, owns E Creations at the National Theatre, which sells Nigerian clothes. Jaccum says: “When I began selling Nigerian designs in Kampala, the demand was very low. I almost lost morale.
But the demand increased gradually and business is booming.†Available at E Creations are men, women and children’s wear; all imported from Nigeria and other West African countries.
Some of the materials used are Lace, Jacquard, Adire and Ankara. Although most Ugandans classify these cloths as Kitengi, they have their own traditional names.
For women, there are the following pieces of clothing: Buba, which is a loose neck blouse, usually with long sleeves and long enough to go a little past the waist.
There is also the Iro — the bottom part of the outfit. Unfolded, it looks like a plain rectangular sheet.
When worn, it is wrapped around the waist and folded to stay in place. Ichefuisi is the headpiece.
Unfolded, this also looks like a smaller plain rectangular sheet, but it can be folded or tied in different ways.
The prices for these range from sh25,000 to sh38,000. For men, there is Buba, which is also a loose neck shirt, usually long enough to go halfway down the thighs.
The Sokoto are the lower part of the men’s clothing, (trousers); while Fila is the round cap that is worn on the head. There is also the Agbada and Kaftani.
On festive occasions, men wear this over their Buba and Sokoto. It is a wide-armed piece of clothing, usually with a V-shaped neck and long enough to reach the floor.
The arms are so long that they need to be bunched together when worn.
The prices for these range from sh35,000 to sh180,000.