Habesha Kemis: Ethiopian & Eritrean traditional clothing
Habesha Kemis: Ethiopian & Eritrean traditional clothing
Traditional clothing of women in Ethiopia and Eritrea is called Habeshi kemis. But these garments bear other names like Habesha kidan, habesha libs or zuria.
Indeed, habesha kemis is a long sensual dress accompanied by a bodice and sleeves. This dress is usually made of white cotton fabric called shemma or chiffon in a neutral shade like gray, white or beige. The shemma is a cotton fabric about 90 cm wide, woven into long strips that are then sewn together, sometimes bright yarns are woven into the fabric for an elegant effect. It takes about two to three weeks to make enough fabric for a dress.
It is possible to accentuate the dress with embroideries of bright colors on the neck, wrist, bottom, middle and top of the dress.
Then, around the waist, women wear a light shawl or scarf called a netela or netsela, which matches the fabric and pattern of the dress. It can also be worn on the hair or the shoulders. Some rastafari women from the African diaspora also wear dresses in habesha kemis.
Habesha fashion has become increasingly popular. It is a flourishing industry with renowned creators who blend modernity and traditional in their designs. Examples include the designers Admas, Nais, Finchitua and Farida Deglel.
When wearing traditional clothing?
During ceremonies or special events, such as a wedding, christmas party or new year, we wear traditional dress habesha kemis. In addition, during a particular event, the women wear a hairstyle with habeshas braids called Albaso. The ethnic groups Amhara and Tigray-tigrinya adorn these hairstyles and dresses.
On the other hand, Ethiopian men wear long shirts with white collars, sweaters, shawls and socks at knee height. Most shirts are made with a mandarin, a Nehru band or necklace.
Who are the habesha?
Known as Abyssians, Habesha are a population group inhabiting the Horn of Africa in Ethiopia and Eritrea. They live under the highlands of Eritrea and the highlands of Ethiopia.
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