Sunday 16 December, 2012
Why Rwandans dress like Indians on introduction ceremonies
The traditional wear of Rwanda commonly known as umushanana, is designed out of a silk material well matched with a long wrap skirt in addition to a sash that covers the shoulder.
This attire is usually put on formal ceremony such as the wedding and many countries like Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have adapted this style and wear them on their occasions.
Like other countries have adopted this dress, Rwandans have as well adopted traditional wears of some other countries India inclusive. Indian saris have become a bride’s item on introduction ceremonies of late and they are stylishly worn.
Rwandan woman posing in a red and gold Indian sari
It has become a common thing to see Rwandan brides in Indian saris on their introduction ceremonies rather than imishanana (Rwandan traditional wear) that used to mark such occasions.
As Indian saris takes the lead, other brides find it interesting and fashionable to have simple dresses tailored to their sizes than carrying sari yardages or umukyenyero with all its weight.
Besides brides, bride grooms have gone far to dress in pants with long shirts complimented with hats that are shaped like headscarves, a thing that really takes you to another country far from Rwanda.
A Rwandan bride in a light blue sari on her introduction ceremony
It might be fashion, elegance or trend or decency but the question is; is Rwandan culture being promoted or dying slowly as our young generation is taken by the western essence?
However, people do things depending on their liking and on their various reasons. To know some of the reasons, we talked to Mama Teta of the wedding village Remera.
To me, many brides to be opt for Indian saris because they are beautiful in the eyes and elegant when worn. The fabrics have intricate designs with gold being the second colour adorning the single coloured fabric,” She explains.
Indian saris
Indian saris come in purple, pink, red, blue, green and others all with gold embellishments or decorations.
It’s being modified by some brides and others wear it as it is, but whichever way the shining attire stands out elegantly.
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