Caps are not just fashion accessories, they have particular culture significance. Given that Nigeria is a country with diverse cultures, languages, traditions and people, the major tribes remain the Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani wear their unique traditional attire and acquire certain signature styles in which they dress.
With the advent of western culture, Nigerian traditional attires have been relegated to being worn during important ceremonies and events like weddings, festivals, etc. In most cases, traditional outfits are flanked by caps, which carry certain significance depending on the culture.
Let’s take a look at some of them:
1. The red cap
Though the oval red cap and woolen cap are worn today by most men to complete their Igbo outfit, it is a symbol that is intended for high-ranking Igbo men from Eastern Nigeria. The Igbo red cap is a symbol of authority, tradition, and culture, and indicates the conferment of a chieftaincy title. Men that wear this cap are usually addressed by “Nze”, “Ichie”, “Ozo”, “Ogbuefi” and others.
2. The ‘Fila”cap
‘Fila’ is the Yoruba word for cap. Unlike the Igbo caps which are made from wool, Yoruba caps can be made from different types of material such as hand woven Aso Oke fabric, velvet, cotton or damask. The fila does not have any traditional significance but are instead used to complement Yoruba native attires such as Agbada, or Ankara, etc.
3. The Hausa ‘Fula’
The Hausa caps are worn with Hausa Baban riga or a simple native top and trouser for everyday outings or major events. They are worn more often than the other caps since they are worn on regular days. Made from various fabrics such as cotton, Mud Cloth, Kente, Aso Oke, African Print, Linen, Hayes, Damask, Velvet, Leather, etc, the caps are most famous for their exotic embroidery.
4. Akwa Ibom/Cross River Embriodery caps
The Akwa Ibom/Cross River traditional attire for men is very rich and complex. It is also one that stands out when properly worn. The cap is usually made out velvety material that matches or ties together the whole outfit. It is given very elegant and beautiful embroidery, which could be light or heavy, depending on the outfit.
5. Niger-Delta Top hats
Men from places like Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta wear the simple South-South outfits for important events or outings and top them off with top hats or thick fedoras. This has become a signature clothing fixture for the Niger Delta man.