Kitenge or chitenge is an African garment similar to sarong, often worn by women wrapped around the chest or waist, over the head as a headscarf, or as a baby sling. They are also sometimes worn by men around the waist in hot weather. .......!Kitenges are similar to
kangas and kikoy, but are of a thicker cloth, and have an edging only on a long side.
Kenya,
Uganda,
Tanzania, and
Sudan are some of the African countries where kitenge is worn.In
Malawi,
Namibia and
Zambia, kitenge is known asChitenge. They are also sometimes worn by men around the waist in hot weather. In some countries like Malawi, Chitenges are never worn by men.
Kitenges (plural vitenge in
Swahili; zitenge in
Tonga) serve as an inexpensive, informal piece of clothing that is often decorated with a huge variety of colors, patterns and even political
slogans.
The printing on the cloth is done by a traditional
batik technique. Many of the designs have a meaning. A large variety of religious and political designs is found as well as traditional tribal patterns. The cloth is used as material for dresses as well.....!!
