World Igbo Congress

MODERN IGBO TRADITIONAL WAY OF DRESSING

Typical Attire

Typical modern Igbo traditional attire, for men, is generally made up of the Isiagu top which resembles the dashiki worn by other African groups. Isiagu (or Ishi agu) is usually patterned with lions heads or an elephant embroidered over the clothing and could be a plain color or a variety of colors . It is usually worn with trousers and could also be worn with either a traditional title-holders hat or with the traditional Igbo striped men’s hat known as Okpu Agwu. For women, a puffed sleeve blouse (influenced by European attire) along with two wrappers and a head tie are worn. These give the Igbo a unique unmistakable identity and all othem have evolving variants that are just apt for every occasion. Regardless of this rich traditional way of dressing, our people have resorted to plunging into the lifestyle of even their cut-throat competitors.

For the sake of Security and Identity

What has happened to our people? What is so special about the dress codes of our ethnic rivals that we must now copy their attire and lose our identity? Tell me, who has ever seen a Yoruba person or an Hausa/Fulani person wearing our type of attire? How can we identify the enemy in our midst if most Igbo persons dress like their adversaries? If we hope for the restoration of the dignity of the Igbo, we must return to our identity. Our leaders must now come up with the strategies for achieving this objective. Please say your mind.