TRADITIONAL ATTIRES

The Nigerian culture is shaped by Nigerian's multiple ethnic groups. The country has over 521 languages and over 250 dialects and ethnic groups. The three largest ethnic groups are the HAUSA/FULANI who are predominant in the north, the IGBO who are predominant in the southeast, and the YORUBA who are predominant in the southwest. In this article we would look at the three main tribes in Nigeria and their traditional attires.
1) HAUSA/FULANI - NORTHERN CLOTHING: The northerners or Hausa/Fulani usually wears a wide sleeved robe known as the “ BABAN RIGA” which is floor length robe with long sleeves that has to be folded up to expose the hands. This is equivalent to the Yoruba's “ AGBADA" and the material usually used for this attire is BROCADE even though the “baban riga" is considered as a Muslim garment , almost every Nigerian man wears one for formal occasions.
   The typical northern woman wears colourful wrappers made into beautiful styles, with matching blouses and veils . the material used for this type of attire varies from ANKARA and LACE to SATIN and other beautiful materials. The “ABAYA" is also another dress mostly worn by the northerners. This is a long free gown usually with beautiful designs. This type of attire is always accompanied by a veil or hijab.