Boubou
The large boubou or bubu is loosely falling, loose clothing worn by men in West Africa , and in a slightly narrower version also in North Africa.
It is known under different names in the individual ethnic groups, for example: Agbada ( Yoruba , Dagomba ), Babban Riga ( Hausa ), K'sa or Gandora ( Tuareg ), Darra'a ( Maghrebian Arabia ), Grand Boubou (in various francophone West African countries). The Senegalese boubou is a variant of the large boubou and is also known as a caftan .
The big boubou is now the formal men's wear in West African countries. It is mainly worn on religious Islamic occasions such as the oath and Friday prayer in the mosque and for family celebrations such as weddings or funerals . Particularly valuable boubous are considered status symbols of the family and are passed on through generations.
description
The large boubou in formal design consists of three parts: trousers tied at the ankles, called sokoto, a top and a wide sleeveless overgarment with a deep, buttonless yoke . This is provided with elaborately crafted embroidery braids in traditional patterns. The three parts are usually the same color and are traditionally made of silk fabric; nowadays they are also made from cotton or synthetic fabrics.
Certain rules apply to wearing the boubou, which are based on the Islamic commandment to avoid impurity. In this context, it is important that the throw must not touch the ground, so it must be draped over the shoulder when walking or sitting down.
Origin and Distribution
The origins of the boubou go back to the 8th century. Initially, only tribal chiefs of the Yoruba in Nigeria, the Dagomba in Ghana, the Mandinka in Gambia, the Susu in Guinea and the Temne in Sierra Leone dressed themselves with it . From there it spread through the whole of West Africa in the course of the migrations of semi-nomadic peoples such as the Dyula and Hausa.
Nowadays the large boubou is mainly worn by Muslims . It is also enjoying increasing popularity as a fashion accessory among Christians living in West Africa.
Variants for women
The large boubou is a garment reserved for men, but there are also varieties for women, but they are worn in a different form. There are real female versions in Mali , Senegal , Gambia and Guinea , they are called M'boubou . In other regions of West Africa there is a female boubou variant known as a caftan which is worn with a veil .
Web links
- Leslie W. Rabine: The Grand Boubou in Dakar, West Africa , journal-ethnologie.de, 2006, last accessed January 12, 2014
- Duncan Clarke: Adire African textiles , 2011, last accessed January 12, 2013
literature
- Kerstin Bauer: Clothing and clothing practices in the north of Côte d'Ivoire. History and dynamics of change from the end of the 19th century to the present. LIT, Münster 2007, ISBN 978-3-8258-0301-8 (also: Basel, University, dissertation, 2005).