Nigeria is one of most densely-populated countries in Africa. The most significant of its great number of tribes are ethnic groups of Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo. Every ethnic group is characterized by its own style of traditional attire as well as traditional caps in Nigeria worn every day. In some places traditional garments are worn only for festivals, weddings or other important events.
In this post we are going to look closely at the main types and peculiar variations of Nigerian traditional cap of these three ethnic groups.
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1. Fila (Yoruba cap)
The Fila (“a cap” in translation) is an essential component of every yoruba man’s garb. It is made of hand-woven Aso Oke fabric, cotton, velvet, or damask. Filas come in variety of colors but the rule is that they must match other items of your clothing. They are often worn with agbada, a long formal top).
There are many different Yoruba cap designs. While some of them are out of fashion already, others are brand-new and trendy and the prevailing majority of them are classical and always appropriate:
- Gobi style Fila has a front-facing upturned design.
- Kufi style is very common with royalty and Muslim Yorubas. It is normally worn with men’s dashiki lace suit.
- The Abeti Aja style (“like dog’s ears” in translation) is a Yoruba hat, looking like a triangle. This hat is wildly popular both among young men and the elders.
- One more variant is classy Awolowo cap named after the great Awolowo who used to wear this style on a regular basis.
Generally speaking, choosing a cap depends on your personal taste and style. Simply check out these styles below.
HOW TO WEAR THE FILA (African cap)
Fila is the Yoruba name given to the Cap most African men wear on their head to functions which comes in different shapes, sizes and style! Just like the Gele is Synonymous to woman so is the Fila to men.
2. Igbo traditional cap
This oval woolen red cap is worn mostly by high-ranking Igbo men in the Eastern Nigeria.
The red color of the Igbo cap is a symbol of fire Agbala (the “holy spirit”). This cap is sacred in Anambra and not everybody can wear it in the street. However, in many parts of Igboland it has lost its sacred significance and value and simply represents the “king” since Igbo red cap chief symbolizes power, tradition, and culture.
How-to wear your Nigeria Caps with SWAGGER! (Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo!)
Africa Fashion – essential to any traditional Nigerian outfit, but often overlooked by international fashion design, is the Nigeria cap that men wear with their traditional clothes. So BattaBox headed out to the tailors and shops of Lagos to explore the caps and headwear of the three main ethnic groups in Nigeria – Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa.
3. Kufi (Hausa cap)
Kufi hat is not only important cultural attire, it is also a significant social marker since any person’s religion or status can be calculated by the type of Kufi they normally wear. Hausa caps come in different types: children’s, politician’s (like Awolowo) or just caps to cover you head or to be worn with Turban. The caps mostly come in white color with vibrant ethnic embroidery.
Kufis are made of such traditional fabrics as cotton, Mud Cloth, Kente, Aso Oke, African Print, Linen, Hayes, Damask, Velvet, Leather, etc.
Kufi hats became very popular during Black heritage celebrations such as Black History Month,and Kwanzaa. There are a lot of modern styles of Kufi caps that are worn by both women and men while some of them suit both genders.
Traditional Nigerian Hat Tutorial
This is my dad giving a wonderful description of how to wear one of his traditional hats. Enjoy! Mintyxx
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