DRESS CODE AFRIQASIA (THE STORIES BEHIND THE CLOTHES)

Clothing speaks louder than words!

All through the centuries, clothing continues to be a form of social expression.  It constitutes an in-depth way of expressing one`s self-identity, origin and social status.  Thus, in most places of the world, particular groups, tribes, and societies, can be identified by a certain type of attire which normally  explains parts of their history, epitomizes their beliefs and even represents what they stand for.  Over time, certain clothes have attained a national or even continental status and appeal which makes them not only identifiable with a group of people, but with a whole nation and continent! Two forms of clothing that have thus transcended the threshold of group and class identification, unto a larger, more national and continental platform, are the Kente cloth of Africa, and the Qipao of Asia.

AS THE ASIANS MAY ASK,

What is Kente cloth?

Kente cloth, known as nwentoma (woven cloth), in Akan is a type of silk and cotton fabric made of interwoven cloth strips and is native to the Akan ethnic  group of South

Ghana.

Kente is predominantly made in Akan lands such as Ashanti Kingdom, (Bonwire, Adanwomase, Wonoo in the Kwabre areas of the Ashanti Region).It is also produced in Ivory Coast and worn by many other groups who have been influenced by Akans. It is the best known of all African textiles. Kente comes from the word kenten, which means basket in Akan dialect, Asante.

How  did the Kente cloth come about?

Legend has it that kente was first made by two Akan friends who went hunting in an Asante forest and found a spider making its web.The two friends stood and watched the spider for two days then returned home and implemented what they had seen.

It therefore  has its origin in the Ashanti Kingdom, and was later adopted by people in Ivory Coast and many other West African countries. West Africa has had a cloth weaving culture for centuries via the stripweave method, but the Akan history tells of the Kente  cloth being created independent of any outsider influence.

 What does the Kente cloth look like?

As the icon of African cultural heritage around the world, Akan kente is identified by its dazzling, multicolored patterns of bright colors, geometric shapes, and bold designs. The Akan people choose these  kente cloths as much for their names as their colors and patterns. They are also identified primarily by the patterns found in the lengthwise (warp) threads. For instance, Kente characterized by weft designs woven into every available block of plain weave is called adweneasa. However, there is often little correlation between appearance and name. That is, names are derived from several sources, including proverbs, historical events, important chiefs, queen mothers, and plants.

 When is a Kente cloth  worn?

The Kente  as an Akan royal and sacred cloth was worn only in times of extreme importance and was the cloth of kings. Over time, the use of kente became more widespread. However, its importance has remained and is held in high esteem by Akans and Africans as a whole. 

It can be worn on any festive occasion, marriage ceremonies, both national and traditional festivals, international conferences and programs and many more.

AS THE AFRICANS MAY ASK:

What is a Qipao?

The qípáo ((旗袍) pronounced "cheepaaw" in mandarin Chinese), and known in English as a mandarin gown is a body-hugging one-piece Chinese dress for women. It may also be known as the cheongsam. 

The stylish and often tight-fitting cheongsam or qípáo that 
is most often associated with today`s Asian woman was created in the 1920s in Shanghai and was made fashionable by high social status personalities and upper class women. The male version is the changshan. They have been worn since the Manchu ruled China in the 17th century.

How did the Qipao come about?

  During Manchu rule, Nurhachi (努爾哈赤) , a chieftan, established the Banner System, a structure for organizing all Manchu families into administrative divisions. The traditional dress that Manchu women wore became known as the qipao (旗袍, banner gown).

After 1636, all Han Chinese men in the banner system had to wear the male version of the qipao, chángpáo (長袍) or Changshan .  In the 1920s in Shanghai, the dress was modernized and became popular among celebrities and the upper class. The dress became less popular when Communist rule began in 1949. The Shanghainese took the dress to Hong Kong where it remained popular in the 1950s, amongst  working women who often paired it with a jacket.

 What does the Qipao look like?  

The original qipao was wide and 

 baggy.  The one-piece dress featured a high neck and straight skirt.

It covered all of a woman’s body except for her head, hands, and toes. The qipao was traditionally made of silk and featured intricate embroidery.

The qipao worn today are modeled after ones made in Shanghai in the 1920s. 

 The modern qipao is a one-piece, formfitting, floor length dress that has a high slit on one or both sides. Modern variations may have bell sleeves or be sleeveless and are made out of a variety of fabrics.

When is a Qipao worn?

In the 17th century, the qipao was worn nearly every day. Nowadays, the qipao is worn during formal occasions like weddings, parties, and beauty pageants. The qipao is also used as a uniform at restaurants, hotels, and on airplanes in Asia. 

AfriqAsia Merge

                        .....Bridging the gap

                                                  ....Embracing the difference.