Kanga (garment)

The kanga (in some areas known as leso) is a colourful fabric similar to kitenge, but lighter, worn by women and occasionally by men throughout the African Great Lakes region.

The cloth was known as merikani in Zanzibar, a Swahili noun derived from the adjective American (indicative of the place it originated).

[2] To make the cloth more feminine, slave women occasionally dyed them black or dark blue, using locally obtained indigo.

According to other sources, the origin is in the kerchief squares called lencos brought by Portuguese traders from India and Arabia.

Stylish ladies in Zanzibar and Mombasa, started to use them stitching together six kerchiefs in a 3X2 pattern to create one large rectangular wrap.

A trader in Mombasa, Kaderdina Hajee Essak, also known as "Abdulla", began to distinguish his kangas with the mark "K.H.E.

The kanga is culturally significant on Eastern coast of Africa, often given as a gift for birthdays or other special occasions.

The Kishutu is one of the earliest known designs, probably named after a town in Tanzania, they are particular given to young brides as part of their dowry or by healers to cast off evil spirits.

[citation needed] Typically, kangas consist of three parts: The pindo (wide border), the mji (central motif), Ujumbe or jina (the Kiswahili) is featured on a strip which contains a message.