Senegalese kaftan

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A Senegalese kaftan or caftan is a pullover men's robe with long bell sleeves. In the Wolof language, this robe is called a sabador, in French it is called a boubou (pronounced boo-boo). This style of robe originated in Senegal. The length of the robe is usually ankle length. It is worn with matching pants called sokoto. Normally made of cotton brocade, lace, or synthetic fabrics, these robes are common throughout West Africa. The former President of Sierra Leone, Ahmed Kabbah, was often photographed wearing a kaftan. A kaftan and matching pants is called a kaftan suit. Another robe that is occasionally seen in West Africa is the short-sleeved Moroccan kaftan, also called a thawb, thobe, or dishdasha. These kaftans are used as pajamas or lounge wear. In the home, they are worn on top of underwear. Although widely worn, they are not formal attire in any West African country. In contrast, Senegalese kaftans are used as formal wear. Hausa grooms often marry in these kaftans. In the United States, a Senegalese kaftan is one of three formal outfits that African-American grooms select for their weddings. The other styles being the dashiki pant set, and the grand boubou (clothing), pronounced gran boo-boo. There are various other robes that are worn throughout West Africa, and with the exception of the Yoruba Gbarie robe, most of these are a form of Islamic dress, see hijab. The Senegalese and Moroccan kaftans are worn by Christians, Muslims, and followers of African traditional religion. Furthermore, they are common among men of African descent in the African diaspora.

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[edit] Wedding Attire

A white kaftan suit is normally worn for weddings. The bride's attire should be the same color as the groom's suit. In popular culture, a groom wears a lace kaftan suit in the Nollywood movie, Traditional Marriage.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

  • A wedding in Senegal [1]
  • A Hausa wedding [2]
  • Senegalese Men's Attire [3]
  • A photo of President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah [4]
  • Kaftan suit examples [5]
  • A white kaftan suit [6]
  • A grey kaftan suit [7]
  • This controversial Nigerian film, Christian Marriage, features men wearing kaftans [8]
  • A Moroccan kaftan [9]
  • A traditional Moroccan kaftan [10]
  • A Moroccan kaftan [11]

[edit] Further Reading

Michael Palin, Sahara (Thomas Dunne Books 2003), p. 77-191. A DVD was also produced showing his travels in Morocco, Senegal, Mali, and Niger.