East African fabrics
Kanga, kitenge or kikoi? A quick guide
Three cloths you will see everywhere on the East African coast, each with its own job.
Free to design and share. Pre-filled with “Kila mlango na ufunguo wake”; change it to anything.
Kanga (khanga, leso)
Light printed cotton, about 150 × 100 cm, with a border, a central motif and a saying. Sold in pairs. Worn as a wrap, headscarf or baby carrier and given as a gift. It is the one that talks.
Kitenge (chitenge)
Heavier, colourful printed fabric, often wax or imitation-wax print, sold by length and tailored into dresses, shirts and suits. Usually no saying; big repeating patterns instead.
Kikoi
A woven (not printed) cotton cloth with stripes and fringed ends, traditionally worn by men on the coast, and now a favourite beach wrap and towel. Plain or striped, no saying.
Which should you choose?
For a personal message or gift, choose a kanga. For a tailored outfit, use kitenge. For the beach, a kikoi. And for a wedding party, many families do all three.
Questions
Can I tailor a kanga into a dress?
Yes. Kangas are often sewn into dresses and tops, usually using a pair. A printer can also repeat your design across a longer length.