The guide to fabrics and outfits
Wax, bazin, kente, bogolan, kaba, boubou… Where they come from, when they are worn, and the pieces to find on Guira.
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Wax
Wax-printed cotton with bright colours and bold graphic patterns. Born from a technique that came from Indonesia, it has become one of the most worn fabrics in West and Central Africa, every day and for celebrations.
Items coming soon -
Bazin
Woven cotton damask, dyed then beaten until it turns shiny and stiff. “Bazin riche”, widely worn in Mali and Senegal, is the fabric of big occasions: boubous, weddings and religious celebrations.
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Kente
Hand-woven cloth made of narrow strips sewn together, created by the Ashanti and Ewe peoples of Ghana. Each colour and pattern carries a meaning; it is worn for ceremonies and important moments.
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Bogolan
Cotton cloth from Mali dyed with fermented mud and plants, with brown and cream patterns. Every piece is handmade; today it is used for clothing, bags and home decor.
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Ndop
Indigo and white cotton cloth with geometric patterns, from the Grassfields of western Cameroon. Long reserved for chiefs and major ceremonies, it is now also used in modern outfits.
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Kaba
A long, loose dress, often made of wax print, widely worn in Cameroon (the kaba ngondo) and in several Central and West African countries. Comfortable, it is worn every day as well as for celebrations.
Items coming soon -
Boubou
A wide, flowing tunic worn by women and men in West Africa, often in embroidered bazin. The “grand boubou” is the outfit for weddings, christenings and religious celebrations.
Items coming soon -
Agbada
A three-piece men's outfit (wide robe, shirt and trousers), emblematic of Nigeria and neighbouring countries. It is worn for ceremonies and important events.
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