Ethiopia is one of the countries around the world known to have its own traditional Cultural Clothes and the production of fabrics. These Ethiopian cultural clothes and fabrics are produced by the technique of hand weaving.
Traveling across Ethiopia, from north to south and east to west, it is common to see people putting on a while robe weaved from cotton – named Gabi. The design on the edge of this cotton robes and the name varies from place to place. some call it Buluko , while some name it fota and many more terms used to describe it in different localities. The visual designs on the material called “tibeb” have always integrated the culturally practiced aesthetics and this added value to their local identity and commercial price.
Traditionally, men wear the Gabi as everyday wear on top of their formal clothes, at funerals, and during church services services, while women wear them as winter clothing at home. Apart from this, Gabi is considered as a delicate gift given to newlyweds, graduates and women that just gave birth.
Interestingly, it is now becoming common to see youngsters in urban areas like Addis flaunting on a Gabi, at work, cafes and hotels. As much as Gabi keeps you warm on this cold, rainy season it is also important to do this for the culture: as it is essential to preserve our cultural heritage to maintain our identity as a nation.
#GabiforKiremt Geni Chapi instagram.com/geni_chapi
Photographer Michael Metaferia instagram.com/mickey.251