It's not always the case that a head that wears the cap goes uneasy. Sometimes, it's just that the cap was not properly worn. The history of caps thus transcends the digital age, which although has modern hair and head accessories, cannot beat the seat of caps in today's events. Caps, like her sister accessory - hats, come in various designs, sizes, sexes and colours, each ascribing a meaning, literal or not. In most cases, these meanings cuts through our African traditions and cultural acts.
In Nigeria, there are different kinds of caps that cut through traditions. We have a few listed below.
1. Slouched Fila cap
This cap has the top loose part of your Fila
cap slouched to one side. If it’s slouched to the left, it informs the public that you are not married, but if slouched to the right, it means that you have a wife. Slouched Fila caps are cool and look great if they are made from soft materials that are draped easily.
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2. Kufi cap
This style is popular among the Yoruba men who
profess Islam. It is also common to the Royal household and the Hausa folk Quite often, such hats go together with dashiki lace suit clothes. Kufi is not only important as a cultural attire, it is also a significant social marker because religion or status can be calculated by the type of Kufi worn. It can also be worn with a turban.
3. Gobi cap
This is a popular Yoruba cap style, a variation of the slouched Fila with an upturned design in front.
4. Abeti Aja cap
The name means “dog’s ears” in translation to English. This is because it appeals to humor with a funny look like the flapped ears of a dog, hung sideways. It looks like a triangle when placed on the head.
5. Fila Awolowo- This is the popular cap appearance of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. It’s a very popular choice among both young and old Yoruba men, especially in the political sphere. It depicts and ascribes some wise qualities as the major proponent of the style was unarguably, a very intelligent man.
6. Igbo traditional cap- This is an oval woolen red cap, worn mostly by high-ranking Igbo men in Eastern Nigeria. The red colour of the Igbo cap is a symbol of fire- Agbala (the “holy spirit”). This cap is sacred in places like Anambra as not everybody can wear it on the streets. However, in many parts of Igboland it has lost its sacred
significance and value and simply represents the “king” since Igbo red cap chief symbolizes power, tradition, and culture.
While many will conclude that a cap completes an African’s dressing and that as we have caps for males, we also have for females, it is more than convincing that of kings, peoples, lands and heads, a cap would always find significance. That said, what do you think of caps? Would you rock one at your next outing?
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