Kangas are wrap garments worn throughout East and Central Africa.

Sold in matching pairs, kangas are typically worn over clothing. Women usually wear one wrapped around their waist and another draped over their head or shoulders. Although women are the primary wearers of kanga’s, men occasionally do wear them.

The word ‘kanga (or khanga)’ originates from the old KiSwahili verb ku-kanga meaning ‘to wrap’ or ‘close’. Made from cotton, kanga’s usually measure 1.5m by 1m in size, with a border along the periphery of the material called a pindo, and a central part called amji - both Swahili terms.

Most kanga have an inscription usually in either Swahili or Lingala. This  allows women to communicate to their neighbors, sweethearts and family sentiments they may not be able to express openly. Men often give kangas to their wives, girlfriends, and mothers as symbols of their affection. This message is called a jina (name) in Swahili.

 Source: Erie Art Museum & Wikipedia