Dashiki Fabric History

Dashikis have gained popularity on the fashion scene and among celebrities in the past couple of years.

Dashiki fabric history. While the print shown above is an angelina print this print has been so closely linked to dashikis that many people have started to refer to this particular print as a dashiki. It was popularized in the late 1960s when its modern name was coined and mass production began. A dashiki is a loose fitting pullover shirt usually sewn from colorful african inspired cotton prints or from solid color fabrics often with patch pockets and embroidery at the neckline and cuffs. West africa is known for experiencing high temperatures.

The angelina print was created by a viisco textile designer named toon van de manakker and is based upon the 19th. The word dashiki comes from the yoruba word danshiki used to refer to the loose fitting pullover which originated in west africa as a functional work tunic for men comfortable enough to wear in. The dashiki is a unisex piece which is particularly popular during february s black history month kwanzaa and other african cultural periods.