Object Number: T/NIGE/554

Collection: British Empire & Commonwealth

Object Name: clothing

Description: This is a man’s tunic from Nigeria. The tunic is part of a set, where tunics are worn under wide-sleeved gowns and with trousers. They are made in matching sets; however, these sets can be mismatched and sometimes men may choose to wear just the gown and trouser, or just the tunic and trousers. In some case the sets only consist of the tunic and trousers, or the gown and trousers. This tunic combines elements of a tunic and gown due to the flare in the skirt, thus it would probably be worn without a gown over it. This gown is made of heavy calico fabric, woven in the traditional narrow strip weaving method. The strips are 60mm wide, handsewn together. The strips on the centrepiece have been cut towards the bottom of the gown, and three extra strips have been added. The overlapping of strips and cutting of the panel at an angle makes the gown flare out at the bottom — gowns in which the skirt flares out in this way are known as girke gowns. The flare in the skirt makes it useful on horseback and also for warriors moving fast. The simple embroidery on it combined with this flare suggests that it may indeed be used for horseback riding.