What is the kanga?

Kanga (or khanga) is a popular traditional garment worn mostly by women of East Africa. Rectangular in shape, it has enough length and breadth to cover the body from neck to knee. It has bright, colourful designs and is worn as a wraparound dress by women on all occasions. Even men wear it, but only at home. White spots against a dark background, a common design, made it resemble the plumage of the guinea fowl called kanga, and hence the name. Today, the kanga is to East Africa, what the sari is to India or the kimono to Japan.