You can make a fashion statement with a Kanzu

HE stepped out of a dusty car whose digits on the license plate pointed out it is a Ugandan registered car. But it is not the vehicle he stepped out of, but rather what he was wearing that made an impression. He was clad in an outfit that many men in Rwanda are not familiar with. He was dressed in a Kanzu, a common traditional tunic in the region. I have had my reservations of men wearing long outfits but this gentleman looked a class apart in the Kanzu. The Kanzu is a traditional tunic treasured by many men in neighbouring Uganda especially in the central region. It is usually worn during cultural events like Kwanjula – the equivalent of Gusaba and weddings. Kanzus are also synonymous with the Muslim community and some East African Bantu communities and legend has it that it was introduced by Arabs centuries back. The outfit is also common amongst Nigerians. The ankle length tunic is at times mostly associated with prestige and power. Titus Okello a frequent wearer of the outfit advises that though long, it should never touch the ground or trip the wearer. “Though ankle length, it should not be overly long that the wearer steps on it. The outfit should also be baggy such that it doesn’t shorten the walking strides,” he says. Though not important to passersby, one should not put it on without anything underneath the tunic. Okello advises that a vest or t-shirt under the outfit is suitable for absorbing sweat when it is hot adding that at no point should it be figure hugging. “Some people feel a little uncomfortable wearing the outfit over boxer shorts or briefs hence prefer to wear shorts underneath so that they do not feel naked,” Okello adds. Lately men have been spotted in clothes of almost all colours some of them too fruity for our ancestors liking, but such disrespect should not be shown to Kanzus. The most common colours are cream and white. There are numerous occasions to wear Kanzus including wearing them for the weekend as you sit at your favourite beer joint. Foot wear to complete the outfit is mostly the wearer’s preference; some prefer open shoes while others will go for closed shoes, they should however be polish-able and sneakers do not pass. The most common material for these outfits is silk and cotton. In Kigali, Kanzu’s are mostly custom made from your tailor or you can have them imported from Uganda.