Somali Traditional Wear is something you see everywhere from the busy streets of Mogadishu to the quiet villages in the countryside. The most famous part of Somali Traditional Clothing for men is the Macawiis which is a colorful piece of cloth that they wrap around their waist like a sarong. Men love wearing the Macawiis because it is very comfortable and lets the air move around which is perfect for the warm weather we have every day. Usually the Macawiis in the Somali Traditional Clothing style has beautiful patterns or stripes and it is often worn with a simple white shirt or a special tunic on top. When there is a big wedding or a religious holiday you will see men putting on their best Somali Clothing Wear to look sharp for their families and friends.
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Another part of this Somali Traditional Clothing is the Khamis which is a long white robe that looks very elegant and clean when it is ironed well. Many older men also add a Koofiyad which is a small embroidered hat to finish their Somali Traditional Clothing look before they head to the mosque for prayers. It is amazing to see how the young guys are still keeping the Somali Traditional Wear alive even though they also like modern clothes from the west. Wearing Somali Traditional Wear is not just about fashion but it is about remembering our history and where we come from as a people. Every time a man puts on his Macawiis he is carrying the spirit of his grandfathers into the modern world through his Somali Traditional Wear.
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Why Somali Traditional Wear Stays Popular
The main reason why Somali Traditional Wear is still a big deal is because it is made for our specific environment and our way of life. This Somali Traditional Wear uses light cotton fabrics that don’t make you sweat too much when you are walking under the bright sun at noon. People also like that Somali Traditional Wear is very easy to put on and you don’t need any belts or buttons to make the Macawiis stay in place.
The Different Styles of Macawiis
When you go to the market to buy Somali Traditional Clothing you will find hundreds of different colors of Macawiis from many different places. Some of the most expensive types of Somali Traditional Clothing are hand-woven and have very thick cloth that lasts for many years without getting holes. Every man has a favorite color for his Macawiis and it is the most important part of his daily Somali Traditional Clothing routine.
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Dressing Up for Special Events
For a wedding the Somali Traditional Clothing gets even more fancy with a long white shawl called a Shalo that men drape over their shoulders. This extra piece of Somali Traditional Clothing shows that the person is an important guest or a member of the family celebrating a big day. It is a very proud moment to see a whole room full of men in their white robes and colorful wraps showing off the best of Somali Traditional Clothing.
Keeping the Culture Strong
We should be very happy that our children still want to learn how to tie the Macawiis and wear the Somali Traditional Clothing with respect. The Somali Traditional Clothing is a bridge between the old times and the new times and it keeps our identity strong no matter where we go in the world. As long as we keep wearing our clothes our culture will never be forgotten by the rest of the world.
