What Is A Kanzu?
A kanzu is a white or cream coloured robe worn by men in the African Great Lakes region. It is referred to as a tunic in English, and as the Thawb in Arab countries. The kanzu is an ankle or floor length garment.
How Much Is A Kanzu In Uganda?
Here Is The List Of Kanzu And Prices In Uganda Shilling
Men’s Traditional Kanzu 40% Silk – White – UGX 43,000
Men’s Traditional Kanzu – White – UGX 35,000
Men’s Muslim Kanzu – Beige Black – UGX 250,000
Kanzu – Men’s African Wear – White With Red, Black – UGX 160,000
Kanzu – Men’s African Wear – Cream With Black & Grey Design – UGX 235,000
Men’s Traditional Kanzu 40% Silk -cream – UGX 47,100
Men’s Traditional Kanzu 40% Silk – cream – UGX 59,800
Kanzu – Men’s African Wear – Off White With Black, Red & Grey – UGX 212,000
What Is Kanzu Made Of In Uganda?
Originally, the kanzu was made from barkcloth. Today the kanzu is made from silk, cotton, poplin, or linen. Linen kanzus are the most expensive.
How Is The kanzu modified In Uganda?
Initially the kanzu was imported and was made from either cotton or linen, a combination of reasons that kept it out of reach of the majority. But as time passed, it began trickling down to ordinary Baganda. The men began making the kanzu from barkcloth, the traditional clothing material used then. With time, they began making it from cheaper fabrics like silk and poplin, which was brought in by Indian and Arab traders. Today the kanzu is made from silk, cotton, poplin and linen. Linen kanzus are the most expensive. While adopting the kanzu, the Baganda made some changes to its design, making their version different from all the other tunics worn around the world, especially those from its parent design from Arabia. The most signifi cant addition to the kanzu by the Baganda was the embroidery added around the collar, abdomen and the sleeves. This embroidery, called Omulela, is unique to the Uganda kanzu and it is hand sewn. The Baganda also added the tradition of wearing a coat atop the kanzu. By picking the blazer from the dress culture, who were the colonial power then the Baganda created a hybrid of Arabian and British dress code. The kanzu in Uganda today is worn in many areas complete with a coat, save for the Muslims who prefer to keep it as plain as the Arabs. However, some Muslims add a tarboosh on the head.
What Do You Wear With Kanzu In Uganda?
The kanzu is worn with a suit jacket, blazer, or sport coat. It is customary for important persons to wear the kanzu with a black bisht. Traditional attire for women in Baganda is the Gomesi. In popular culture, Ugandan clothing was featured in the controversial film.
Why Is The Kanzu Worn In Uganda?
It is not traditional. Traditional wears are the bark clothes. But Baganda adopted Kanzu and coat because the Buganda leadership at the time wanted to play smart between the Arabs and the British colonialists. Other tribes who adopted the same don’t even know why they wear them.