What is a Zambian chitenge?

What is a Zambian chitenge?

A chitenge is a piece of cloth, 2 yards or meters in length that women wrap around their body. The width of the cloth is long enough to cover you more or less from your waist to your ankles (depending on your height!).

How big is a kitenge?

They are approximately 110 cm (43.3 inches) wide and come in various lengths [multiples of 2 yards].

What is the origin of kitenge?

This fabric is an African wax print fabric called Kitenge, originating from East Africa. Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Sudan are some of the African countries where kitenge is worn.

What is the difference between Ankara and kitenge?

Is there a difference between Ankara and Kitenge. There is no difference between the two fabrics. Most of us have the Kitenge and are not even aware of what fabric we have. The two fabrics if not sewn can be subtited for something else.

How do you wear a chitenge?

The chitenge(or kitenge) is an African garment similar to the sarong, often worn by women, wrapped around the chest or waist, over the head as a headscarf, or as a baby sling. Chitenges have an edging only on a long side and are worn in most central and southern African countries by men and women alike.

What is chitenge fabric?

Kitenge or chitenge (pl. vitenge) is an East African, West African and Central African fabric similar to sarong, often worn by women and wrapped around the chest or waist, over the head as a headscarf, or as a baby sling. They are sometimes worn by men around the waist in hot weather.

What is Kitenge fabric?

Kitenge or chitenge (pl. vitenge) is an East African, West African and Central African fabric similar to sarong, often worn by women and wrapped around the chest or waist, over the head as a headscarf, or as a baby sling. Kitenges are colorful pieces of fabric that contain a variety of patterns and designs.

How is Kitenge fabric made?

Melted, molten wax is printed by machine onto both sides of the cloth. The cloth is put into an indigo dye bath (the dye repels the wax-covered areas of the fabric) A machine may crack the wax to create different effects such as marbling and bubbles. Printing machines add two or three colours to the design.

How do you know Ankara is good?

A good Ankara fabric of high quality will have excellent resistance, in the sense that it won’t be easily torn from abrasive movements. Unlike the low quality materials, quality Ankara prints won’t be scratched or damaged from accidental abrasive movements that are carried out on the clothing.

What are African patterns called?

Adinkra patterns are numerous, ranging from crescents to abstracts forms; each of the symbols carries it own significance and represents events of daily life activities. As stated in “The Spirit of African Design”, Adinkra means “farewell” and was used for funerals and to bid a formal farewell to guests.

What are African prints called?

The textile used to make African prints is called Ankara fabric that is also referred as African wax prints fabric, Holland wax, or Dutch wax. The Ankara fabric is known for its colorful African prints, and is deeply associated with African clothing.

What are African clothes called?

The dashiki is a colorful garment worn mostly in West Africa. It is called Kitenge in East Africa and has been a dominant wear in Tanzania and later Kenya and Somalia. It covers the top half of the body. It has formal and informal versions and varies from simple draped clothing to fully tailored suits.