African Beauty

BY CAPUCINE HOLMES

The beauty of Africa is essential to our culture. It is embedded — literally — in the fabric of our lives.

African clothing symbolizes status, creativity, unity, and loyalty to African culture. Those values are captured in every piece of woven fabric that symbolizes black soul, heritage, and power. And it is important to African- Americans, because we naturally crave an understanding of our history and all that brings black people together around the world.

There are several different types of traditional African fabric — including Kente, Bogolanfini Mud Cloth and Ankara. Each carries their own significance, but Kente is the most popular; it is a sacred, royal cloth that speaks to spirituality and allegiance. African fabrics have a specific meaning their incorporated into key patterns and colors: green represents energy, white is purity, blue is love, and gold represents wealth and fertility.

These colors were displayed at the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Annual Taste of Wine and African Fashion. Two designers were showcased in the sold-out affair: Adefunke Dain, owner of Fudamike; and Cee Cee Fashions. The highlight of the evening: the women of NCBW embellishing their signature colors, black and gold, with African attire (including a gold gele for each one!) and a display of African dance.