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What's Your
Hat-itude?
I am
fascinated, and often captivated by the designs, textiles
and in particular, the head wear, hats, coiffure, turbans
and wraps of indigenous peoples around the world. In many
African societies, the choice of colors and fabrics is
outstanding and has special significance to the wearer. Hats
often tell stories of everyday life, with its struggles,
spiced by uplifting periods of joie de vivre. While I have
worked in various African countries and journeyed widely in
my earlier career as a travel agent, my ten year involvement
with Africa Travel Magazine has brought the importance of
African fashion into sharp focus. Speaking of focus, our
library of African fashion photos is unbelievable. It's
grown so much, we're considering an issue dedicated solely
to African fashions. How did this love affair start? Our
very first Africa Travel Association Fashion Show was hosted
by Chief Margaret Fabiyi, who has supplied many of my
favorite wardrobe items. Her company is based in Lagos,
Nigeria.
Instant
Decision. Fashion will Rule!
At Mrs. Fabiyi's fashion affair in Arusha, Tanzania, we
decided on the spot that fashion would play a leading role
in our magazine. The exciting thing about this particular
show, was the fact that our own delegates from the USA and
Africa participated as models. That simple but effective
format set the pattern for future ATA fashion shows at
congresses and symposia in Ethiopia, South Africa, Cameroon,
Guinea, Morocco, Zambia and Zanzibar. It will certainly play
a starring role in our exciting ATA 30th World Jubilee,
which starts in January 2005 and winds up in Angola next
winter. The Jubilee highlight will be ATA's 30th Congress in
Nairobi, Kenya. We were checking out the Kenyan fashions
this spring when we toured the country. So since our first
ATA fashion show, I challenged myself to wear African
clothing and hats often, around home, at work and on regular
shopping trips, as modern fashions for a modern day
lifestyle.
While
we live in Canada's Pacific coast, as far away from Africa
as you can get, we are always having conversations about
this wonderful continent, its people and places, simply
because our hats are recognized by Africans who are working
here or are attending university. As a confirmed adventurer
, I enjoy a visible link to the Africans who work so hard to
create these fabrics, hats and other wardrobe items. By
supporting African designers and artisans, our publisher,
Jerry Bird and I are contributing on behalf of the magazine,
to the economy and cultural heritage of African societies .
We are also demonstrating to all we meet in person, on our
web sites and in person, that there is an expanding market
opportunity for African clothing and fashions. Each hat or
article Jerry and I wear promotes the country of origin. The
most noticeable items that occupy our closet to the bursting
point, are found in the collection of hats from different
African countries. We wear each one with pride; what you
might call a positive hat-itude!
Hats
through the ages
Coiffure and fashion wear is an expression of
individually and pride for African women. For many centuries
Africans struggled to retain their unique traditions,
languages and cultures. This was achieved despite wave after
wave of outside influence and domination by Arabs and
Europeans. One of the features that has remained virtually
intact from generation to generation, was the African head
wear. This crowning glory symbolizes strength as well as
pride in one's self and one's city, village or country of
birth. Attractive hats and tie-wraps are a portrayal of
femininity and etiquette. Likewise, personal grooming and
traditional hair styles of West African women mirrors their
social status. African hats and head wraps are identified by
their colorful fabrics and distinctive designs. We enjoy
every opportunity to explore the cultural significance of
African fashion.
Historically
Speaking
Colorful African textiles became a sign of wealth during
the period of the trains Saharan Trade when traders used
strip cloth as a form of currency. As a result, African
textiles and hats became known world wide, and their quality
and color became an expression of wealth and knowledge in
society and an indication of social hierarchy. The famous
Kente cloth of the Ashanti in Ghana tells how the use of
cloths and hats differentiates people by status, as hats
symbolize leadership. Two of our most treasured hats where
purchased direct from the Kente weaver's shop in
Ghana.
More to
Come
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