INTRODUCTION
Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa, there are numerous tribes and ethnic groups, many of which wear their own style of attire. In the southern region, men and women prefer to wear western attire. Traditional attire can be worn on a daily basis or worn for special occasions like festivals or weddings. Traditional attire reflects on the culture of hundreds of ethnic groups in Nigeria. In pre-colonial times, traditional attire were wore all the time. Now, it is wore for special occasions, or to work on Fridays, and also for religious gatherings. This article concentrates on the traditional attire of the Igbo's, Yoruba's, Hausa-Fulani's, Edo's and Delta's ethnicity.
Igbo Traditional Attire
Years ago Igbo attire symbolise modesty, they were not wore for style or to display status. Today most Igbo people, especially in urban areas, wear western styled clothing. However, in the rural areas traditional attire are wore on daily basis .
The traditional attire for women are wraps, some of which are designed for day to day activities and others are for formal occasions. The formal wraps are made of more expensive material which is often imported. Men usually wear cotton wrappers, shirts, and sandals for day to day wear. Formal wear for men consist of wraps made from better material than that used for day to day wear.
Yourba Traditional Attire
The Yoruba tribe are known for their exquisite Attire. Clothing material appearance serves as an indication of status and wealth. In special events such as weddings, and festivals they dress in beautifully designed attire. Examples of Yoruba attire are:
Gele - this is a traditional cloth which women wrap around their heads. There are many variations on how to wrap it.
Agbada - this are for formal events their men often wear. It is a robe called an agbada over their clothes.
Buba - this is a loose fitting blouse with long sleeves and a neckline that is either V-shaped or round. It usually falls a little below a women’s waist. Men can also wear this attire.
Iro - this are long wrap-around skirts. The rectangular skirt is worn by wrapping it around the waist and tucking it in at the end.
Sokotos - this are trousers that are loose-fitting with a drawstring used to hold them up.
Hausa-Fulani Traditional Attire
Hausa-Fulani men wear a wide sleeved robe called a babban riga which is a floor-length robe with very long sleeves which have to be folded up to expose the hands. It is the equivalent of the Yoruba's Agbada.
Even though the babban riga is considered a Muslim garment, it can also be worn for formal occasions. Hausa men also wear a traditional headpiece, a round cap called a fula. Hausa women wear colorful wrappers (abaya) with matching blouses.
Edo Traditional Attire
The Edo ethnic group are made up of the Binis, Afemais, Esan, etc. The Benin Kingdom is one of the oldest and culturally rich pre-colonial African Kingdoms.
Edo traditional attire has lots of color and the people often use of beads, which symbolize royalty and freedom.
Urhobo/Isoko Traditional Attire
The Urhobo and Isoko tribe are major ethnic groups in Delta State, their anssestos are migrants from the Edo tribe, according to oral history. When Combined they make up the fifth largest ethnic group in Nigeria.
They have very similarity in their dialet, cultures, and traditional attire. Many wear Georgian wrappers and lace shirts, accessorized with cowboy hats, walking sticks, and beads on the hands and neck.
REFERENCE
http://interesting-africa-facts.com/African-Garb/Nigerian-Traditional-Clothing.html
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion_in_Nigeria