Shawl for a woman

Unknown artist

Hausa women have a less extensive wardrobe than the men. The basic garment for the women is the shawl. Traditionally, the cloths were wrapped tightly around the breasts and reached to the ankles while the young girls wore the shawl with uncovered breasts. Inside the women's quarters, women also wore a wraparound skirt around the hips during their work with sometimes a separate cloth tied around the breasts. Outside the women's quarters and therefore in public, women are, according to Islamic custom, fully dressed. Although their wardrobe is not as varied as that of the men, women are much freer in the use of different textiles. Hand-woven shawls are still purchased in the market, but the multicolored factory-made cloths are preferred. Wax prints and the like are popular attire for informal occasions; damask, brocade and lace are worn on formal occasions. Highly educated women working in the commercial sector or government choose between European-style, wide-brimmed Mecca clothing such as kaftans or shawls by local designers. Women living in the palaces of Hausa- Fulani leaders have access to the latest Saudi Islamic fashion.