Figure 1.--Ethiopia is a very traditional country. While Western clothing is becoming increasingly common, nany cpeople in traditional areas such as the Omo Valley still wear traditional clothing. Here we see a Karo mother with her two children. The Karo live in a hot tropical area and wear little or no clothing.

Ethiopia is a very traditional country and even after the tumultous late-20th century continues to be so. Traditional clothing were almost exclusively worn through the 19th century. The various tribes had their owm destinctive clothing. We do not see Ethiopian boys wearing Western clothing to any substantial extent until after the Ethiopian invasion (1935) and even then it was mostly in the cities. After World War II we gradually see Western clothing becoming more important. but again this trend was most pronounced in the major cities. Traditional clothing is still worn in rural areas. Here a factor is the hot tropical climate. Younger children often wear very little. We now in the 21st century see Western clothing in the countryside as well, although traditional clothing has by no means disappeared. While it is common for Ethiopian boys to wear short trousers, men today never do seeing short pants as children's wear. A factor in the spread of Western clothing has been school. The children mostly wear Western styles to school, both nuniforms and their own garments. And is more children attend school, Western clothing thus becomes more common.

Garments

Ethiopia is a very traditional country and even after the tumultous late-20th century continues to be so. Traditional clothing were almost exclusively worn through the 19th century. The various tribes had their owm destinctive clothing. Traditional clothing is still worn in rural areas. Here a factor is the hot tropical climate. Younger children often wear very little. One traditional garment is the cloak. Like many traditional garments it is low cost because sewing amd fitting is not required. While Ethiopia is a tropical country, it can get chilly at night and many Ethiopian childten do not wear much clothing. And in mountaneous areas it can get cold, even snow.

Western Clothing

We do not see Ethiopian boys wearing Western clothing to any substantial extent until after the Ethiopian invasion (1935) and even then it was mostly in the cities. After World War II we gradually see Western clothing becoming more important. but again this trend was most pronounced in the major cities. We now in the 21st century see Western clothing in the countryside as well, although traditional clothing has by no means disappeared. While it is common for Ethiopian boys to wear short trousers, men today never do seeing short pants as children's wear. A factor in the spread of Western clothing has been school. The children mostly wear Western styles to school, both nuniforms and their own garments. And is more children attend school, Western clothing thus becomes more common.

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Created: 6:37 PM 12/22/2009
Last updated: 6:37 PM 12/22/2009