Hausa Boubou Outfit with Pants Nigeria African Art
AvailabilityIn stock
SKU
103598
Special Price
$88.00
Regular Price
$144.00
US Shipping
$20.98
| Brand | Unbranded |
|---|---|
| Type of Object | Textile |
| Country of Origin | Nigeria |
| People | Hausa, see also Nupe and Yoruba |
| Materials | Cotton Aso Oke textile , combination silk-cotton. possible rayon |
| Approximate Age | 20th century |
| Dimensions | Shirt: 30 inches shoulder to shoulder; 40 inches tall. Shorts: waist to 48 inches, 30 inch inseam |
| Overall Condition | Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners. Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use. We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings. Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage. |
| Damage/Repair | Minor stains, dirt, torn stitches. |
Additional Information: A superb outfit in fair condition with only a few wear, holes, and stains. This elaborate outfit was made by the Hausa of Nigeria using a cotton cloth made of several strips and embellished with beautiful embroidered designs typical of the Hausa, Nupe and Yoruba. Such outfits were found among all these groups. Hausa are known as the great weavers in the Nigeria and surrounding countries. They used to make outfits to sell to the Yoruba and neighbors. This is a prestigious costume. Traditionally, the extent of the embroidery on a riga identifies the wealth of the owner. also called "grand boubous Riga. The robe was worn bunched at the shoulders."
See similar examples, and learn more (especially if you read German!) in BOUBOU-C'EST CHIC, from the Museum der Kulturen, Basel, by Christoph Merian Verlag.
We do not recommend laundering textiles, and do not accept returns of textiles which have been laundered in any manner. Even dry cleaning is too much for some of these antique textiles. For some of them, a very gentle HAND washing (NEVER MACHINE, on any setting) in cool water with a very gentle detergent works, but even then, dyes may not be colorfast, and fabric may be less strong than it appears.