The Gabi (Amharic: ጋቢ) is a handmade cloth worn by Ethiopians mainly over the shoulders and upper body, and is made out of cotton. Unlike the two-layered kuta (worn by men) and netela (worn by women), it consists of four layers.[1]

Amhara man wearing Gabi

Characterized by its thickness, the Gabi is the traditional garment of men belonging to the northern part of the Ethiopia [Amhara and Tigray] due to the high altitude nature of their homeland, most of the time it's worn by the elderly and clergy.[2] Usually Amhara and Tigray women get together for spinning the yarn required to make several Gabi's. Amhara women present Gabi's as a gift for their husbands.[3]

Ethiopian cleric wearing a gabi

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Textiles of Ethiopia: Netela and Gabi". My journey to Ethiopian culture. [Road to Ethiopia - Camino a Etiopia]. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  2. ^ Karsten, Detlev (1972). The Economics of Handicrafts in Traditional Societies: An Investigation in Sidamo and Gemu Goffa Province, Southern Ethiopia. Vol. 79. BRILL. p. 89. ISBN 9783803900685.
  3. ^ Karsten, Detlev (1972). The Economics of Handicrafts in Traditional Societies: An Investigation in Sidamo and Gemu Goffa Province, Southern Ethiopia. Vol. 79. BRILL. p. 125. ISBN 9783803900685.