Object Number: T/NIGE/579

Collection: British Empire & Commonwealth

Object Name: clothing

Description: This is a man’s gown from Nigeria. The riga giwa (gown of the elephant) is a tailored gown by the Hausa, derived from Tuareg Saharan riding dress, which spread through Nigeria and all of West Africa. The spread of this dress occurred as part of the spread of Islam throughout West Africa, but has now become a version of national dress, meaning not everyone who wears it is necessarily Muslim. The term riga giwa refers to the massive size of the gown as well as the high political and social importance of the wearer. The gown is made of 5.5cm dark blue strips, which are used vertically in the centre panel and horizontally in the sleeves. The inside of the centre panel of the garment is lined for the comfort of the wearer. The embroidery on the gown shows an enlarged aska biyu (two knives) design, complete with the traditional spiral shape on the left-hand side and back of the gown. It is further decorated with geometric shapes on the right-hand side, one of the main motifs is a gidan tara (nine houses) design. These geometric shapes have had more detail added to them as couched patterns have been created (these are the patterns made seen in the raised stitches). Moreover, repeated use of buttonhole-stitch eyelets creates a more textured effect.