Agbada In Modern Times And Its Components

In numerous ethnic groups and languages, this garment and its modifications go by different names. In addition to the English word gown, it is known as agbádá in Yoruba, babban Riga in Hausa, boubou or mbubb in Wolof, k’sa or gandora in Tuareg, Kwayi Bèri in Zarma-Songhai, darra’a in Maghrebi Arabic, and grand boubou in other French-speaking West African nations.
A full set of boubou consists of three items of clothing: a long-sleeved shirt, a wide, open-stitched sleeveless gown worn over these, and a pair of tie-up trousers that narrow towards the ankles (called as a kt, pronounced “shokoto” in Yoruba). Generally, all three parts are the same color. It is cotton-based and lavishly embroidered with traditional patterns. However, in stark contrast to its cotton roots, modern Yoruba make the Agbada from synthetic materials that resemble silk and employing a variety of rich indigenous fabrics, including the hand-woven aso oke, kijipa, among others. The grand boubou has a set of etiquette that must be followed in order to keep the over-gown above the ankles at all times.
This can be done in a variety of ways, such as folding the open sleeves of the boubou over one’s shoulders before sitting down or walking to prevent the over-gown from rubbing against the ground, or by folding/wrapping each side over the other with the hand to narrow the space of the gown toward the ankles. For luxury parties today, the clothing is a requirement for both men and women. This traditional attire was once reserved for men to wear, but over time, a shift happened that allowed women to stylishly flaunt it as well. If you’re looking for an outfit that will make you appear elegant at a religious function, a wedding, or other social gatherings, Agbada can help.

Let’s look at various designs to obtain inspiration for rocking your agbada: