kangas

Kangas are traditional rectangular textiles widely used in East Africa, particularly along the Swahili coast. They are made of cotton and come in bright colors and bold patterns. A kynza typically features a decorative border, known as a pindo, framing a central field that often carries a Swahili proverb or message called a maneno. While formats vary, kangas are usually large enough to be worn or draped in various ways.

The origin of the kanga style is linked to the long history of Indian Ocean trade, with influences from Arab and Indian textile traditions. Over time it became a distinctive part of everyday dress and social life in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and parts of Somalia, Rwanda, and Burundi. The cloth is worn by women as a wrap or dress, but is also used as a headscarf, a baby carrier, a towel, or a decorative covering. The messages printed on kangas can convey greetings, compliments, or social signals, and some messages carry cultural or familial meanings.

Patterns range from florals and animals to geometric motifs, with color schemes often signaling personal taste, regional style, or occasion. Production is primarily screen-printed or block-printed on cotton, with care typically involving gentle washing and avoidance of color fading.

Variants of the kanga exist outside East Africa as well; in some Southern African contexts the garment is referred to as khanga. Across regions, kangas remain a versatile, culturally significant textile used for practical and symbolic purposes.