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]
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]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Textiles of Ethiopia: Netela and Gabi". My journey to Ethiopian culture. [Road to Ethiopia - Camino a Etiopia]. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.