Dashiki is derived from the Hausa
word yar̃
ciki which
means shirt.
A dashiki is a loose-fitting,
pullover shirt that is usually sewn and colorful with different prints and patterns.
It first appeared on the American scene during the 1960’s to embrace black
unity. This trend soon died during the late 1960’s due to white counterparts “hippies”
that set the tone for a fashion trend, it became more about fashion and less
about unity. The dashiki is more about “My Black Is Beautiful” but we have to
be carful about how we display it. “My Black Is Beautiful” can be dangerous if
it amounts to wrapping oneself up in one’s own glory and magnificence.
I decided to do more research
on my dashiki before I wore it because I did not just want be another person
wearing a dashiki for a fashion statement. I wanted to know what the colors
meant and where the word dashiki derived from, but I really wore my dashiki to
make the actual statement that “My Black Is Beautiful.”
