African Dress Symbolism

Which of these cloths is hand-cut using leaves from the Raffia tree and then dyed and weaved into strips using an intricate embroidery technique?

• Kuba Cloth

• Mudcloth/Bogolanfini

• Kente Cloth

True or False? Kaftans worn by women today in Africa were originally men's attire.

• False

• True

Traditional African capes are made from which of the following resources? (Select more than one)

• ostrich egg shell

• animal tails

• tree bark

• skins and bones

• pressed metal

True or False? Generally, waist beads are passed down from mother to daughter, perhaps on a wedding day, and can symbolize sensuality, fertility, healing, and positive energy.

• True

• False

Which of the following is commonly worn to show pride in one's culture and represent unity among it's wearers? (Select more than one)

• Dashiki

• Head scarf wraps

• Kanga