From Utility To Style All- All About African Kanga

The African Kanga is a traditional fabric of central and eastern African subcontinent where many and women wear this one to one and a half meter colored fabric around them. Initially, the African women were seen wearing the African Kanga around their back and tied to their hip or neck such that the portion behind their back became a basket to hold their kids and young ones.

Often, they are seen carrying children on their back, tied to them through the cloth and hence the name African kanga similar to the Australian Kangaroo! In other countries like Madagascar, Zambia and Malawi, these fabrics also contain certain messages that they usually write in their native language.

Thus the African Kanga had already begun to be modernized from days well before. Today, it is worn in almost every other form as other casual wear. They are worn like skirts and shawls around the neck though they still carry the traditional colors and patterns of the African Kanga. Looking at the ease with which Africans are able to carry their children on their back, many foreigners have been inspired and both men and women alike do wear the African Kanga to carry their children on their backs.

Now that you are getting really interested to try out the African Kanga, here is how to do it:

There are many different styles of tying the African Kanga and not just that; it can be worn on different parts of the body in different ways. It is not that the African Kanga can be worn around the back such as to carry a child. They are also worn as full dresses and head gears to cover the head. As a scarf, halter, turban and swim suit, the African Kanga can be worn.

 
If you are looking to tie the African Kanga like a baby carrier, it is very easy.

1. Bend downwards facing the ground, leaning over your stomach.

2. Place your child on your back with the baby’s face facing your back.

3. Now, take the African kanga and drape it around the baby while holding the baby with one hand.

4. Make sure the center of the cloth is on the baby and both ends fall down in front of you.

5. Tuck the lower rim of the cloth strip beneath your baby’s bum. The upper edge of the cloth should cross across the shoulders of your baby.

6. Now pull at both ends of the cloth just to ensure that it is tightly draped across the baby.

7. Bring the left side end of the African Kanga from beneath your left arm pit.

8. Bring the right end of the African Kanga over your right shoulder and make a knot of it with the left end near the right shoulder and check if it is tightly held.

That’s it! Try it out right away and see how comfortable this is!!