I am wearing a Dashiki (meaning shirt in English) - a popular West African print worn around Africa.
Nigerian women wear the Dashiki to represent unity among cultures.
Photo credit: Vicky Huang.
It is made in different colors, sizes and lengths and is worn with a pair of jeans or tights.
It is a gender-neutral attire worn in different styles.
Photo Credit: Vicky Huang.
Men wear it on top of a white or a black long sleeve top, just like Femi.
I am wearing the Dashiki dress, it is derived from the original Dashiki shirt.
Photo Credit: Vicky Huang.
The dress is usually worn by women and it represents purity and closure.
Women cycle to fetch water at the stream, in remote areas, wearing the dashiki dress.
Photo Credit: Vicky Huang.
Personal story - As a kid, I would stare at these women on vintage bicycles and be jealous of them, I wanted to grow up as fast as I could so that I could ride one too.
When I wear a Dashiki, I feel at home and closer to my culture as a Nigerian.
Photo Credit: Vicky Huang.
Dashiki isn't just a fashion style, it is a cultural statement that shows unity among Africans.
Here are a few questions for you:
Would you wear a Dashiki, if so where would you wear it?
What styles do you prefer, the shirt or the dress?
Dashiki helps Nigerians identify with each other, what clothes help you identify with people from your country (e.g. lots of athletes wear Nike in America).