My Naija News - Let it go to your head

You are here:Home

Style Plaza

Let it go to your head

Written by News Hound

Thursday, 26 July 2007

In praise of the headgear

It was once regarded as an headpiece for the elderly, but in recent times the traditional headgear has become a staple in every woman’s wardrobe.

For many, the traditional headgear popularly called the gele, by the Yorubas in south west Nigeria, is an expression of individuality and pride for African women. It is one of the features that has remained
virtually intact from generation to generation.

Doyin Abiola

This crowning glory symbolizes strength as well as pride in one's self and one's city, village or country of birth.

Attractive heagears are a portrayal of femininity and etiquette. For Nigerian older women and even younger ones, the traditional headgear often times, is the center of attraction in most traditional settings especially marriage ceremonies.. Women turn out at these occasions beautifully dressed, with hair neatly packed in different designs and colours of head gear, trying to outdo each other with styles that are unique in their own way.

Modupe Sasore

This was the case recently when friends and families of Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, thronged her Victoria Island home in celebration of her 60th birthday bash. Also for Sisi Abah Folawiyo as she marked her 65th birthday recently. Celebs and young women turned out in different types of traditional headgear, some in damask, the evergreen aso oke, and the cotton piece.

Nike Oshinowo

Our very glamorous, former beauty queen, Nike Oshinowo was not left out of the fad, as she adorned her head with an elegant gele. The amazing thing about the gele is the way it is professionally wrapped and it seats pretty on the head of the wearer

Susan Gumel

However if you, like me, is not one for going through the rigours of tying the gele, your beast bet should be the Fila Oge; as the name implies, is an headgear that is designed as a hat, so you can wear and go. The fila oge is being embraced by women all over, because its simple nature.

For some occasions the traditional headgear is a form of identification for individuals in a particular group, as each member is expected to adorn the same colour and design of headgear for easy identification.

It has become a tying knot of sorts as friends, colleagues, family members, choose a particular type for wedding ceremonies.

African hats and head wraps are identified by their colorful fabrics and distinctive designs. A trend which has come to stay and will continue to evolve with fashion trends.

Quote this article on your site | Views: 850 | Print | E-mail

Be first to comment this article

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to Refresh your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Title:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments