Kenya has no single national dress. With more than 42 communities, each with its own traditions, attempts to create one have not caught on, and the result is a rich patchwork of styles.
The kanga
The kanga is a printed cotton cloth, roughly 1.5 by 1 metre and sold in a pair, found in practically every Kenyan home. Women in East Africa have worn it since the 19th century. Its message strip, the jina, typically carries a Swahili proverb, which is why a kanga can be a gift, a statement and a wrap all at once. It is worn as a shawl, skirt, head wrap or apron.
Kitenge and Maasai dress
Kitenge is a cotton fabric decorated with tie-dye and heavy embroidery, worn at ceremonies rather than official functions. The Maasai favour dark red garments, a colour said to express their bond with the earth.
Modern designers
Designer Wanja Ngare creates sports apparel using Maasai shukas blended with Kenyan flag colours, and her designs were worn by Team Kenya athletes at the 2020 Olympics.
Sources: Wikipedia: Culture of Kenya, Wikipedia: Kanga, Kenyans.co.ke: Wanja Ngare.
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