Idoma traditional attire

Idoma traditional attire

Nigerian people are known for having beautiful clothing, and Idoma traditional attire is among the most appealing wears in the country. Learn more about the Idoma mode of dressing, including the meaning and importance behind the colours.

Idoma traditional attire

Photo: idomavoice.com

Who are the Idoma people and what do they wear?

In case you do not know, Idoma people are the second largest ethnic group of Benue State, and there are around 2.5 million living in seven LGAs across the state, including Agatu, Apa, Ohimini, Otukpo, Okpokwu, Ogbadibo and Ado. They can also be found in Cross River and Nassarawa states.

While there are certain differences in Idoma culture and dialect in different parts of the country, there is something that is the same for all the people, and that is the colour scheme of traditional clothing. While it only has been around since the 1980s, it is an important part of this ethnic group’s identity. Idoma attire is known for being black and red, and both colours have special meaning.

Read also

Top 10 buba and sokoto designs for women

The black in Idoma clothing (also known as Apa or Edema) represents earth and burial shroud. Red represents royalty or red feather. The same red feather can often be seen atop the head of the traditional Idoma leader.

Idoma traditional attire (wedding)

Photo: nigerianweddingblog.com

READ ALSO: Igbo cultural dressing

These days, Idoma people tend to wear their traditional attire mostly to special events, such as local meetings, festivals, weddings and burial ceremonies. As a matter of fact, the burial wears have their own name, Opa, where the black represents mourning and the red represents respect for the dead.

As for the local meetings, traditional attire is a must, where men have to wear caps and mufflers and women have to wear head gear. Those who do not wear their traditional garbs could face fines or even penalisation.

While the colours are very important for Idoma people, the rules are not exactly strict for the way you should wear them on a daily basis. You can wear black and red mufflers, caps, kaftans, blouses, skirts, gowns, wrappers or even use the colours in decorations for festivities. As long as you see some red and black, you will easily recognise Idoma people.

Read also

Beautiful traditional clothes of different ethnic groups in Nigeria

Gallery of Idoma cultural dress

Idoma attire

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

READ ALSO: Igala traditional attire

Now that we have told you a little about the clothes, colours and their significance, let’s take a look at some beautiful people wearing their Idoma attire. Here is our little gallery of traditional clothes of this ethnic group:

Idoma traditional attire and dance

Photo: dailypost.ng

This is a group of young people in their Idoma wrappers and head wraps that are most likely performing the traditional Ogirinya dance, where one has to rapidly jump on their toes. They sure seem to be having a lot of fun there!

Idoma traditional colours

Photo: deskgram.net

Idoma colours are often incorporated into modern wears, such as the gown in the picture above. While it looks very contemporary and new, it still has that distinct colour scheme that points to the origins of the person wearing it.

Idoma traditional attire (kids)

Photo: haip.club

Here is an adorable little gentleman in his black-and-red agbada looking dapper. His outfit is completed with similarly coloured bracelet and necklace that match the clothes perfectly, along with the little black hat.

Read also

Discover the amazing culture of Benue State people

traditional attire

Photo: idomavoice.com

The woman in this photo is wearing her Idoma colours in a more traditional way: a simple length of striped fabric secured around her body with a matching gele and accessories. She looks very happy about it, too!

Idoma traditional wedding attire

Photo: lesjayblog.wordpress.com

As we have mentioned before, traditional Idoma attire is often worn to such important events as weddings, and here is a perfect illustration for that. Both bride and groom are representing their people with their black-and-read wears and accessories, and they look gorgeous.

Idoma traditional attire for wedding

Photo: lindaikejisblog.com

This is another way you can incorporate the colours of your people into your wedding attire. While the dearly beloved are wearing white clothing, they are also draped in their striped shawls and are wearing matching jewellery. It is also very cute how the bride’s shoes are red while the groom’s are black, creating a perfect ensemble.

Idoma traditional attire (chief)

Photo: nnrnews.com

READ ALSO: Igbo culture clothing and traditional styles

Read also

How do Idoma people call God?

In this photo, you can see Chief Stephen Agada Akor receiving his chieftaincy title. In fact, he is actually the youngest Idoma person to receive this title in the history of Idoma Land and Otukpa in particular. Good for him!

Idoma traditional wedding colours

Photo: pinterest.com

While Idoma people usually wear striped black and red clothing, some might not be into it. That said, if they still want to pay respects to their culture, they can simply go for tasteful attire made in the traditional colour scheme.

Idoma traditional attire on Obasanjo

Photo: talkparlour.com

Here is a smiling President Buhari sitting next to an equally elated Vice-President Osinbajo. The latter is dressed up in traditional Idoma clothes.

Idoma traditional kids attire

Photo: wikiwand.com

Last but definitely not least is this cute pair of kids wearing their traditional Idoma wears. Both of them look very fashionable and ready to hit the runway, or to be guests at someone’s wedding. Either way, it is always a good idea to introduce your children to the tradition of your people from young age.

Read also

These Cross River State traditional outfits will take your breath away

And there you have it, a brief overview of traditional clothing of Idoma people. We hope you have been able to learn something new about the culture of over 2.5 million Nigerians.

READ ALSO: List of languages in Nigeria and their states

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Adrianna Simwa avatar

Adrianna Simwa (Lifestyle writer) Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Legit.ng where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than three years. She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media. Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020. In 2023, Simwa finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her through her email: adriannasimwa@gmail.com