Ethiopian coffee dress
Encyclopedia
An Ethiopian coffee dress is the traditional attire of Ethiopian
women. In Ethiopia
, this dress is called habesha qemis. Rastafarian women in the African diaspora
also wear these dresses. The ankle length dress is made of white cotton
. Most dresses are decorated with Ethiopian motifs. The dress is worn during the Ethiopian coffee ceremony
. The coffee dress is an informal style. For formal events, women wear Ethiopian dresses made of chiffon (fabric)
, which is a sheer silk
or rayon
cloth. Many women wrap a shawl called a netela
around the formal dress, see Culture of Ethiopia
.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
women. In Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, this dress is called habesha qemis. Rastafarian women in the African diaspora
African diaspora
The African diaspora was the movement of Africans and their descendants to places throughout the world—predominantly to the Americas also to Europe, the Middle East and other places around the globe...
also wear these dresses. The ankle length dress is made of white cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
. Most dresses are decorated with Ethiopian motifs. The dress is worn during the Ethiopian coffee ceremony
Coffee ceremony
A coffee ceremony is a ritualised form of making and drinking coffee. The coffee ceremony is one of the most recognizable parts of Arab, Eritrean and Ethiopian culture. Coffee is offered when visiting friends, during festivities, or as a daily staple of life...
. The coffee dress is an informal style. For formal events, women wear Ethiopian dresses made of chiffon (fabric)
Chiffon (fabric)
Chiffon, , from the French word for a cloth or rag, is a lightweight, balanced plain-woven sheer fabric woven of alternate S- and Z-twist crepe yarns. The twist in the crepe yarns puckers the fabric slightly in both directions after weaving, giving it some stretch and a slightly rough...
, which is a sheer silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
or rayon
Rayon
Rayon is a manufactured regenerated cellulose fiber. Because it is produced from naturally occurring polymers, it is neither a truly synthetic fiber nor a natural fiber; it is a semi-synthetic or artificial fiber. Rayon is known by the names viscose rayon and art silk in the textile industry...
cloth. Many women wrap a shawl called a netela
Netela
Netela or netsela is a handmade cloth many Eritrean and Ethiopian women use to cover their head and shoulders when they wear clothing made out of chiffon, especially when attending church. It is made up of two layers of fabric, unlike gabi which is made out of four. Kuta is the male version....
around the formal dress, see Culture of Ethiopia
Culture of Ethiopia
Ethiopian culture is multi-faceted, reflecting the ethnic diversity of the country; refer the articles on the Ethnic groups of Ethiopia for details of each group.Among many traditional customs, respect is important...
.
See also
- BernosBernosBernos is a wool cloak-like garment and hood woven in one piece, worn by Ethiopian highlanders. Bernos seems to be an adaptation of the Arab version of Burnous; Levine notes that the wealthier men of Menz "wear the barnos, a tailored cape made of dark wool."The bernos has a hood-like extension on...
- Coffee ceremonyCoffee ceremonyA coffee ceremony is a ritualised form of making and drinking coffee. The coffee ceremony is one of the most recognizable parts of Arab, Eritrean and Ethiopian culture. Coffee is offered when visiting friends, during festivities, or as a daily staple of life...
- Culture of EthiopiaCulture of EthiopiaEthiopian culture is multi-faceted, reflecting the ethnic diversity of the country; refer the articles on the Ethnic groups of Ethiopia for details of each group.Among many traditional customs, respect is important...
- DashikiDashikiThe dashiki is a colorful men's garment widely worn in West Africa that covers the top half of the body. It has formal and informal versions and varies from simple draped clothing to fully tailored suits. Traditional female attire is called a caftan, or kaftan...
- Ethiopian suitEthiopian suitAn Ethiopian suit is the traditional formal wear of the men of Ethiopia. It consists of a long sleeve, knee-length shirt, and matching pants. Most shirts are made with a Mandarin, band, or Nehru collar. The suit is made of chiffon, which is a sheer silk or rayon cloth. A shawl called a netela or...
- GabiGabiGabi is a male or female given name. Its origin is the Aramaic Gabriel, which means "Man of God". The female version is derived from Gabriela.Gabi or GABI may refer to:* Gabriel Agbonlahor, English footballer...
- Kaftan (boubou)
External links
- Ethiopian clothing at Montgomery Blair High SchoolMontgomery Blair High SchoolMontgomery Blair High School is a public high school located in unincorporated Silver Spring in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States...
- An article about the people of Ethiopia Embassy of Ethiopia in Japan