African locals are well-known for their colourful outlook on life and fashions to match. To discover the significance of African fabric you need to travel to Mozambique and Zambia, where you’ll find some of the best examples of this cloth, chitenge (kitenge) and capulana.
Mozambique’s Capulana
Capulana, or kapulana, is a length of material that doubles as a garment in Mozambique and other south-east African nations. This swatch of cloth measures about 2m (78") by 1m (39") and is always adorned with gorgeous coloured patterns featuring natural and geometrical themes.
The cloth is usually worn as a wrap-around skirt or dress, as a head scarf or used as a baby carrier. Couples often wear matching capulana for special occasions.
This fabric was introduced to Mozambique by Indian traders on the Spice Route who brought it to barter with local people for supplies. They were originally crafted in white, black and red, representing ancestral protection, evil, and war respectively. They soon took the place of traditional animal skins as the preferred way to dress in Mozambique.
Today, capulanas still represent wealth among local folk, while for tourists they serve as a reminder of their African safari to this fascinating destination.
Zambia’s Chitenge
Another sarong-like garment which has gained an enormous following in neighbouring Zambia, is the chitenge. This cloth comes in a vast range of bright colours and patterns and is usually worn in much the same way as the capulana.
Both men and women wear fancy chitenge outfits, especially for formal occasions or during traditional celebrations. In the rural areas, chitenge form part of everyday wear and this African fabric has even made its way onto international catwalks. Local designer Kasonde Nkole often uses chitenge to compliment her Western designs as a nod to Mother Zambia. As does Sarah Kalunga, a young Zambian studying fashion design in France.
Chola Lungu-Mutoni conducts fashion workshops and training for young hopefuls, empowering them with the skills to use traditional Zambian elements and recycled materials in clothing design. You’ll see some of these unique and truly African creations at markets all over the country when you visit Zambia on your African safari.
Get in touch to find out more ways to explore and support local culture as well as where to pick up a chitenge and capulana creation or two during your travels around southern Africa.
