This is a collection of traditional African clothing by country – and that is for real – every single African country is represented below. Traditional African clothes are all this article is about!
African clothing history is one if not the most interesting to study and admire. Considering Africa is the birthplace of humankind (; After all, African traditional clothing styles have influenced the fashion sphere for a very very very long time. (Have you seen traditional African clothing in Trinidad and Tobago?)
Through these images of traditional African clothes you will learn about traditional clothing from each country of Africa as well as the role of clothing in African culture and certain traditional African clothing names.
Related to this article: 21 Riveting Images EXPOSING the African Culture Aesthetic of Everyday Life & 23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures
This is a compilation of traditional African clothing by country, however, note that every African country is unique and that within each nation is a diverse people.
Taarifa
Taarifa means information in Kiswahili, at the foot of each image is a section headed “Taarifa” containing pertinent information relating to the image.
This post is all about traditional African clothing by country.
54 Pictures of Traditional African Clothing by Country
READ: A Brief History of Africa in 7 pictures, for a concise overview of Africa.
CENTRAL AFRICAN TRADITIONAL CLOTHING STYLES
This section is all about Central African clothing history in: Angola; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the Republic of Congo; Equatorial Guinea, Gabon; and Sao Tome and Principe.
1. Angola
© Alfred Weidinger / CC-BY-2.0
The Muhuila ethnic group has different traditional African dresses for older ladies and younger women and girls.
Taarifa💡
Who: Muhuila women
When: 13 July 2011
Where: Angola, Central Africa
2. Cameroon
© Bamiboi / CC-BY-SA-4.0
What do Africans traditionally wear? This! And much more really but isn’t this admirable? The Bamileke people of present-day Cameroon had immense skill in art and fashion. Today, they are known for their equally fascinating Elephant Mask.
Taarifa💡
Who: Kuosi Society, Bamileke people
What: Elaborate Mask Ensemble
Where: Cameroon, Central Africa
Time Period: 19th-20th century
When: 13 July 2011
Current location: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, United States, North America
3. Central African Republic
© hdptcar / CC-BY-2.0
These Central African women are wearing clothing quite common in Africa. people can find such wrappers or cloths to make traditional African dresses for sale in markets throughout the region.
Taarifa💡
Who: Fulbe women
When: 1 April 2008
Where: Paoua, Central African Republic, Central Africa
4. Chad
© David Stanley / CC-BY-2.0
The types of traditional African clothing this man is wearing are great for the climate and highly fashionable, especially when riding on a camel!
Taarifa💡
Who: Toubou man
When: 30 October 2015
Where: Ennedi Mountains, Chad, Central Africa
5. Congo, Democratic Republic of the
© Enric Bach / CC-BY-2.0
La Sape is one of those indispensable African traditional clothing styles originally from both Congos. While the image of this sapeur was taken in Congo-Brazzaville it remains traditional clothing popular in the DRC.
Taarifa💡
Who: a congolese Sapeur
When: 11 July 2010
Where: Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, Central Africa
6. Congo, Republic of the
© Jean Audema / Public Domain
Postcards like this one, dating back to the 20th century, allows us to see the types of African clothing worn at the time.
Taarifa💡
Who: The Chief of the Pandé
When: c. 1896-1910
Where: Bania, Republic of the Congo, Central Africa
Current location: The Museum of Fine Arts, United States, North America
7. Equatorial Guinea
© Prosper Pérez / CC-BY-SA-4.0
These dancers are wearing what is traditional African clothing in the central African region where the Beti people are principally found. The image above was photographed in the country of Cameroon, however, today, the Beti people are spread across Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Taarifa💡
Who: Beti dancers
When: 8 November 2016
Where: Cameroon
8. Gabon
© Nana menelik / CC-BY-SA-4.0
This woman is wearing what is the traditional clothing of Africa in the Central African region in Gabon of the Punu people.
Taarifa💡
Who: Punu woman
When: 27 May 2020
Where: Gabon, Central Africa
9. São Tomé and Príncipe
© Ji-Elle / CC-BY-SA-4.0
Above are comedians of the São Toméan theater called Tchiloli.
Taarifa💡
Who: Tchiloli comedians
Wearing: Tchiloli Masks
When: 27 January 2019
Where: São Tomé and Príncipe, Central Africa
EAST AFRICAN TRADITIONAL CLOTHING STYLES
This section is all about East African clothing history in: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
10. Burundi
© Salvator NSHIMIRIMANA / CC-BY-SA-4.0
Burundian Drummers are some of the most appreciated drummers in the world. The Royal Drummers of Burundi are cultural gems playing and dancing to centuries old drumming traditions.
Taarifa💡
Who: Burundian Drummers
When: 2 February 2023
Where: Burundi, East Africa
11. Comoros
© Unknown author / Public Domain
The traditional African clothing in Comoros was similar to other Sultanates of the time like the one of Zanzibar.
Taarifa💡
Who: Sultan Said Ali ben Said Omar of Bambao
When: 20th century
Where: Ngazidja, Comoros, East Africa
12. Djibouti
© Senior Airman Nesha Humes / Public Domain
Many cultures including Djiboutian ones have altered certain aspects of their cultural wear, with different materials and colours adding to their customs while maintaining their heritage.
Taarifa💡
Who: Afar and Issa women
When: 22 May 2015
Where: Dikhil, Djibouti, East Africa
13. Eritrea
© Temesgen Woldezion / CC-BY-SA-3.0
These drummers are wearing traditional African dresses for wedding celebrations in Eritrea.
Taarifa💡
Who: Tigrinya wedding drummers
When: c. 2006
Where: Barentu, Eritrea, East Africa
14. Ethiopia
© babasteve / CC-BY-2.0
Many cultures throughout Ethiopia date back to antiquity! Food, religion, architecture and ancient African clothing are certain aspects of Ethiopian culture that have remained quasi intact.
7 Treasured Medieval and Ancient African Art History Objects Found *Across* The Continent of Africa
Taarifa💡
Who: an Ethiopian young man
When: 27 March 2008
Where: Ethiopia, East Africa
15. Kenya
© Trocaire / CC-BY-2.0
The Samburu ethnicity from Kenya are a people known for their fashion. Look at these men’s hair, jewelry and clothing!
Kenya is a country home to over 50 different ethnicities including the Kisii and Luo ones of which you can see their African traditional houses clicking here:
Taarifa💡
Who: Samburu men
When: 1973
Where: Kenya, East Africa
16. Madagascar
© Rod Waddington / CC-BY-SA-2.0
A Malagasy wearing what is the most common clothing in Africa generally called a kanga in Eastern Africa.
Taarifa💡
Who: a young Malagasy woman
Wearing: a kanga
When: 11 October 2016
Where: Madagascar, East Africa
17. Mauritius
© Collectie Stichting Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen/ CC-BY-SA-3.0
19th century Mauritian woman.
Taarifa💡
Who: a Mauritian woman
When: 1870-1890
Where: Mauritius, East Africa
18. Rwanda
© configmanager / CC-BY-2.0
The culture of the country of Rwanda is filled with beautiful dance and song often to the beat of spectacular drumming.
Taarifa💡
Who: Intore Traditional Rwandan dancers
When: 20 March 2010
Where: Gasogi, Rwanda, East Africa
19. Seychelles
© Salifa Magnan, Seychelles News Agency / CC-BY-4.0
The Kanmtole dance is a creole dance from Seychelles it is a blend and transformation of indigenous and European dances.
Taarifa💡
Who: Kanmtole dancers
When: 27 August 2020
Where: Seychelles, East Africa
20. Somalia
© AMISOM / Free
A smiling Somali woman.
Taarifa💡
Who: a Somali woman
When: 7 March 2022
Where: Somalia, East Africa
21. South Sudan
© Steve Evans / CC-BY-2.0
In many places traditional African clothing for baby boy and girls include a small cloth or shirt.
Taarifa💡
Who: A South Sudanese woman and baby
When: 9 May 2011
Where: South Sudan (then Sudan), East Africa
22. Tanzania
© Stechouse42 / CC-BY-SA-4.0
A kanga is traditional African clothing for sale in markets throughout Africa. On the island of Zanzibar they can be found in virtually any market place. A kanga is what is the most popular clothing in Africa.
Taarifa💡
Who: a Zanzibari woman
Wearing: kangas
When: 25 September 2017
Where: Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa
https://thegriotshand.com/culture/africa-historical-fashion/
23. Uganda
© TASHOBYA / CC-BY-SA-4.0
The Karimojong people are part of the Nilotic ethnicities in Africa.
Taarifa💡
Who: young Karimojong women
When: 22 June 2017
Where: North Eastern Uganda, East Africa
NORTH AFRICAN TRADITIONAL CLOTHING STYLES
This section is all about North African clothing history in: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia.
24. Algeria
© Akly / CC-BY-SA-4.0
Algeria is the biggest country in Africa. It has a diverse multitude of ethnicities like the Tuareg people pictured above.
Taarifa💡
Who: Tuareg men
When: 23 October 2015
Where: Sebiba, Algeria, North Africa
25. Egypt
© Zerida / Public Domain
Egyptian musicians in Jellabiyas.
Taarifa💡
Who: Egyptian musicians
Wearing: Jellabiyas
When: 4 May 2008
Where: Egypt, North Africa
7 Treasured Medieval and Ancient African Art History Objects Found *Across* The Continent of Africa
26. Libya
© Bashar Shglila / CC-BY-SA-4.0
The Tuareg people live across northern Africa notably in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Libya, Algeria and Nigeria.
Taarifa💡
Who: Al-Barket Tuareg Band dancers
When: 26 December 2016 (Ghat Tuareg Festival)
Where: Ghat, Libya, North Africa
27. Morocco
© Zxrvyni / CC-BY-SA-4.0
This caftan is put on display at the Dar Si Said Marrakech Museum in Morocco which is located in an 19th century African palace.
Taarifa💡
Who: Moroccan
What: Moroccan Bahja Caftan
Current location: Dar Si Said Marrakech Museum, Morocco, North Africa
28. Sudan
© Ethan Doyle White / CC-BY-SA-4.0
This dress is part of the traditional African dresses for wedding celebrations women wore in Sudan!
Taarifa💡
Who: Rashaida
What: Rashaida women wedding outfit
Current location: Gdańsk Archaeological Museum, Poland, Central Europe
29. Tunisia
© Met Museum / Public Domain
Some Tunisian traditional African dresses for wedding like this one were made of materials such as silk and metal wrapped thread!
Taarifa💡
Who: Tunisian
What: wedding ensemble
Time Period: late 19th century
Current location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, United States, North America
SOUTHERN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL CLOTHING STYLES
This section is all about Southern African clothing history in: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
30. Botswana
© Devidyal / CC-BY-SA-4.0
Botwana is a country in Southern Africa populated by visibly extremely fashionable people, it is also one of the lowest population density in the world!
Taarifa💡
Who: Batswana
When: 28 October 2017
Where: Botswana, Southern Africa
31. Eswatini
© Collectie Stichting Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen / CC-BY-SA-3.0
A Swazi woman a baby wearing a wrapper which is what is the most common clothing in Africa.
Taarifa💡
Who: Swazi woman and baby
When: 1910-1940
Where: Mbabane, Eswatini, Southern Africa
32. Lesotho
© GavinMor / CC-BY-SA-4.0
This woman is a Mosotho medicine woman in the mountain ranges of Lesotho.
Taarifa💡
Who: a Mosotho medicine woman
When: 22 March 2019
Where: Lesotho, Southern Africa
33. Malawi
© Unknown Author / Public Domain
Nzukuzuku photographed some time around 1895.
Taarifa💡
Who: Nzukuzuku of the Ngoni
Wearing: red robes, arm rings and a stick
When: c.1895
Where: Malawi, Southern Africa
34. Mozambique
© Steve Evans / CC-BY-2.0
A Capulana is one of those African traditional cloths found across the world and Africa.
Taarifa💡
Who: a Mozambican woman
Wearing: a Capulana
When: 10 September 2010
Where: Mozambique, Southern Africa
35. South Africa
© South African Tourism / CC-BY-2.0
South Africa is an immensely diverse country. Traditional African clothes in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town are all different!
Taarifa💡
Who: A Xhosa bride and woman
Wearing: Xhosa wedding outfit
When: 16 April 2008
Where: Lesedi Cultural Village, South Africa, Southern Africa
36. Namibia
© WAVRIK / CC-BY-SA-4.0
The Himba people are a (semi-) nomadic people from Namibia and lower Angola.
If you’re wondering: what is the oldest African clothing? Animal skins are the oldest clothing of the world, just like in the book of Genesis!
Taarifa💡
Who: Himba woman and baby
When: 21 March 2017
Where: Namibia, Southern Africa
37. ZAMBIA
© Francis ackson soko / CC-BY-SA-4.0
Ngoni dances have striking similarities to South African dances because the Ngoni people originated from South Africa!
Taarifa💡
Who: Ngoni dancers
When: 27 February 2019
Where: Zambia, Southern Africa
38. ZIMBABWE
© Hans Hillewaert / CC BY-SA 4.0
Throughout time, doctors and healers have worn a variety of clothing for many purposes. What do they wear in Zimbabwe? This! – at least some of them do (;
Taarifa💡
Who: Shona medicine man
Wearing: Shona medicine man wear
When: August 1989
Where: near Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, Southern Africa
WEST AFRICAN TRADITIONAL CLOTHING STYLES
This section is all about West African clothing history in: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo!
39. Benin
© François-Edmond Fortier / Public Domain
The Dahomey Amazons were once fierce, and feared, warriors in Western Africa. They inspired the traditional African clothing in black Panther and the Woman King.
Taarifa💡
Who: Dahomey Amazons
When: 20th century
Where: Benin, West Africa
40. Burkina Faso
© TREEAID / CC-BY-2.0
There are so many popular African shirt names, like the dashiki, that have been worn for centuries!
Taarifa💡
Who: Asseta Lompo
When: 21 July 2008
Where: Burkina Faso, West Africa
41. Cape Verde
© Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires / CC-BY-2.0
Cape Verde has a wonderful historic artistic culture that has birthed international gem like Cesária Évora.
Taarifa💡
Who: Cape Verdeans
When: 2 November 2008
Where: Cape Verde, West Africa
42. Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
© Michaelill16 / CC-BY-SA-4.0
A fiancée dancing at her wedding celebrations.
Taarifa💡
Who: an ivorian fiancée
When: 8 March 2015
Where: Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa
43. The Gambia
© Peter van der Sluijs / CC-BY-SA-3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0
Gambian woman, like many across West Africa have a cultural tradition of elegantly tying cloth around their heads, creating a crown like headwear.
Taarifa💡
Who: a Gambian woman
When: 22 November 2014
Where: The Gambia, West Africa
44. Ghana
© Tetraeder / CC-BY-3.0
Ghana was home to numerous powerful and gold rich kingdoms like the Ashanti Kingdom.
For more on Ghanain history read Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi found in: 7 Novels about Africa Book List
Taarifa💡
Who: Opoku Ware II
When: 12 August 1980
Where: Ghana, West Africa
7 Enlightening Novels about Africa Book List for the Cultured Reader
45. Guinea
© Unknown Author / Public Domain
Pictured above is an elegant Guinean woman from the 20th century.
Taarifa💡
Who: an elegant Guinean woman
When: c. 1905
Where: Conakry, Guinea, West Africa
46. Guinea-Bissau
© Unknown Author / Public Domain
The Guinea-Bissau musicians above with a djembe and balafo.
Taarifa💡
Who: Susu musicians
When: before 1931
Where: Guinea-Bissau, West Africa
47. Liberia
© blk24ga / CC-BY-3.0
Liberian women singing in traditional West African wear.
Taarifa💡
Who: Liberian singers
When: c. 2012
Where: Liberia, West Africa
48. Mali
© Ferdinand Reus / CC-BY-SA-2.0
A Malian woman carrying a calabash on her head.
Taarifa💡
Who: a Malian woman
When: 20 November 2006
Where: Mali, West Africa
49. Mauritania
© Cooperazione / CC-BY-SA-4.0
A Mauritanian family having tea in a traditional African tent from the region.
Taarifa💡
Who: a Mauritanian family
When: 8 February 2020
Where: Mauritania, West Africa
50. Niger
© Dan Lundberg / CC-BY-SA-2.0
Three Wodaabe women wearing traditional Wodaabe clothing in Niger.
Taarifa💡
Who: young Wodaabe women
When: 1997
Where: Niger, West Africa
51. Nigeria
© Jibofoto – NATHANIEL AJIBOLA / CC-BY-SA-4.0
A woman dressed in traditional Calabar wear, hair and jewelry.
Taarifa💡
Who: a Calabar woman
When: 15 November 2002
Where: Cross River, Nigeria, West Africa
52. Senegal
© H. Grobe / CC-BY-3.0
Three Senegalese women dressed in traditional Senegalese clothing.
Taarifa💡
Who: Senegalese women
Wearing: Boubous
When: 1974
Where: Senegal, West Africa
53. Sierra Leone
© Steve Evans / CC-BY-2.0
A Sierra Leonean woman in (wonderful) traditional African clothing. Peep the rings!
Taarifa💡
Who: a Sierra Leonean woman
When: 3 July 2012
Where: Sierra Leone, West Africa
54. Togo
© David Stanley / CC-BY-2.0
The Bobobo dance is a dance traditional to the Ewa people of Togo.
Taarifa💡
Who: Ewa dancers
When: 26 September 2015
Where: Missahohe Forest, Kouma-Konda village, Togo, West Africa
How Many New Ethnicities Have You Learned About?
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