agbada

Agbada is a traditional, voluminous outer robe worn by men in Nigeria, most closely associated with the Yoruba people. It is designed to be worn over a buba (a loose shirt) and sokoto (trousers) and is typically reserved for formal or ceremonial occasions. The garment is often a symbol of status and prestige, with its embroidery, fabric choice, and overall cut signaling the wearer's role or the event.

Construction and materials: The agbada consists of a flowing outer gown with wide sleeves that drapes over the shoulders and body, and is worn over an inner buba and sokoto. Fabrics range from plain cotton to luxury textiles such as aso oke, damask, satin, velvet, or brocade. Embroidery along the chest, yoke, and sleeve cuffs is common, and designs can be highly elaborate or more understated depending on the occasion and wearer.

Styles and accessories: The look is typically completed with a cap, known as a fila or another Yoruba cap, and sometimes a matching scarf or shawl. The length, fullness of the gown, and the amount of embroidery vary by personal taste, regional tradition, and the formality of the event.

Cultural significance and modern usage: The agbada is widely worn at weddings, naming ceremonies, religious events, and state or ceremonial occasions, where it signals formality and cultural identity. In contemporary fashion, designers experiment with fabrics, colors, and embroidery to create reinterpretations for runways and informal settings, while the traditional robe remains a core element of Yoruba ceremonial dress.