The population of the country of Ethiopia wears a wide range of costumes. The conventional clothing of the Christian upland lower class has forever been of white filament material. The men wore long, jodhpur-like pants with a closefitting shirt and a wrap, while a coffee dress is the long-established Ethiopian costume for the women. This is normally designed to drop at the ankle and is made from unique white cotton. The dress is loosely fitted to offer comfort and doesn’t necessarily show up the features of a woman, so it is very comfortable while the ladies are working.
They are decorated with Ethiopian motifs and are worn during the coffee ceremony which is an event passed down from generations where the Ethiopians would discuss politics and other social events. The coffee dress is normally made in informal styles, but for formal events the dresses are made of chiffon fabric which is made of sheer silk or rayon cloth. Many women wrap a shawl called anetela around the formal dress. The native attire is usually worn for culture festivals, when streets and meeting-places are changed into an ocean of white as delicately weave cotton dresses, decorated wraps with colored woven boarders and suits are donned.
A distinct style is found among the Oromo horsemen of the central highlands who on traditional days attire themselves in lions’ hair or headdresses made from baboon-skin and will carry spears and shields while riding into the main city squares to take part in the celebration.
Ethiopians are understandably proud of the progression of their traditional costumes. The most noticeable recognition of the varied assembly is in the jewelry, the hair styles and the embroidery of the dress which are also the most noticeable and memorable of the Ethiopian fashions. Some of the women will part their hair in the middle and make a bun at the back and this hairstyle can be seen adapted by many inhabitants of other countries even in the western hemisphere.
The women from Amhara and Tigray put plaits in their hair by the dozens, at times even their entire hair. This kind of plait is called the sheruba and can be seen tightly braided from the front and billowing out at the shoulders. Arsi women have fringes and short, bobbed hair. Hamer, Gelebe, Bume and Karo men shape an edge of clay and plait their hair to keep their feathered headwear in position. Bale girls also have fringes and short bobbed hair, but they cover it with a black head cloth, while young children often have their heads shaved.
By comparison the Muslins from the region of Harar wear multi-colored dress, while the men wear calf length trousers and a colored wrap and the women in fine dresses of purple, red and black.
Jewelry in gold and silver is worn by both Muslims and Christians most times with glass beads incorporated. Ivory bracelets and anklets along with copper and heavy brass are also worn. What other Ethnic groups in different parts of the country wear depends on their environment, and there are also some people who decorate their faces and bodies with distinctive images as part of their Ethiopian costume.
Different Types Of Ethiopian Textiles
Ethiopia is one of those countries that boast native raw cotton and they are known for producing 100% cotton and also have the means to generate other natural fibers in addition to an incorporated textile supply chain. For centuries the country’s weavers mainly in the region of Chencha and Dorze of Southwest Ethiopia have woven a scarf like material and gabbies on conventional looms using patterns and designs of centuries gone by. The cotton used for these garments is the base materials for most Ethiopian textiles, whether they are making table covers, shawls or pillow covers.
In Ethiopia clothing is hand made without chemicals, this therefore add considerable value to all fashion pieces. Silk is also spin from neighborhood cocoons, the textiles are hand weave and they uses natural dyes to create soft exceptionally beautiful goods. Dyers also add remarkable and vivacious colors to customary scarves and blankets.
The quality of the material because it is so light, when put next to the skin allows freshening and absorbs dampness. These Ethiopian fashion also aids in sustaining an even body temperature which is very appropriate for everyone.
There is also another material that is used to make the traditional dress, which crinkles and gains a crumpled effect after washing. This is extremely popular with the natives and it is usual for this attire to be designed in ways that will not highlight the curves of a woman body. For this reason, most women love these creations because they are not only beautiful, but also comfortable and smooth. These dresses are considered perfect for everyday wear and it is possible to choose from hand woven or jacquard fabrics. Most ladies opt for wearing this delicate textile as trimming in multiple colors and traditionally placed on white cotton dresses suitable for evening functions and also as casual tops.
For those who love thin and delicate cotton, you can find a scarf like material with a finely woven texture that is very popular with all the women in this country. One of the advantages of using this Ethiopian textile is that it is available in large sizes, so you can get creative and get many designs. Generally, this is a white fabric but it has multi-colored borders in two variations which makes it a favorite for many who want to dress in unusual fashions.
There are many ways to wear Ethiopian fashion, so if you love these designs it is possible to find textiles with any color or pattern that will suit your taste.
