07/04/2015
The kanga, from the old Bantu (Kiswahili) verb ku-kanga, to wrap or close), is a colourful garment similar to kitenge, worn by women and occasionally by men throughout the African Great Lakes region.
It is a piece of printed cotton fabric, about 1.5m by 1m, often with a border along all four sides, and a central part 'mji' which differs in design from the borders. One of the longer edges of the mji features a strip which contains a message in Swahili, or less commonly in Arabic or Comorian. They are also produced in Zambia and Malawi. This message is called the jina (literally 'name') of the kanga. Messages are often in the form of riddles or proverbs.
Some examples:
Majivuno hayafai — Greed is never useful.
Mkipendana mambo huwa sawa — Everything is all right if you love each other.
Japo sipati tamaa sikati — Even though I have nothing, I have not given up my desire to get what I want.
Wazazi ni dhahabu kuwatunza ni thawabu — Parents are gold; to take care of them is a blessing.
Sisi sote abiria dereva ni Mungu — We are all passengers, God is the driver.
Fimbo La Mnyonge Halina Nguvu — Might is right.
Mwanamke mazingira tuanataka, usawa, amani, maendelo — We women want equality, peace, and progress.
Naogopa simba na meno yake siogopi mtu kwa maneno yake — I’m afraid of a lion with its strong teeth but not a man with his words.