Robe

The baban riga (Hausa), agbádá (Yoruba), or boubou (French) is a large, loose-fitting, ankle-length robe worn by men of different groups in West Africa. The garment is said to have originated in the Middle East and introduced to West Africa by Arab and Berber merchants from the Maghreb and Tuareg through the trans-Saharan trade. Records show that this type of robe has been worn since the 11th century in ancient kingdoms across West Africa. The robe is usually worn at special events such as naming ceremonies and weddings. The attire was once considered a symbol of wealth and high-status due to its expensive fabrics and intricate embroidery.

Yellow-white robe with embroidery. The robe is made of plain weave cotton cloth, with wide strips sewn together to give desired width. The front and back panels are sewn together along shoulder line, leaving an angled opening for the neck. One strip is not sewn across the top, creating a large pocket. The panels are also sewn at the bottom corners, narrowing the leg opening. The front and back are embroidered in yellow-white cotton. The first design is of two downward pointing needles with a square motif. The second design is a pair of spiral circles enclosing a complex rounded motif. The back of the robe is embroidered with only the pair of spiral circles enclosing a complex rounded motif.