Mishananas are the traditional formal women's wear of Rwanda. Perfect for weddings and classy occasions, we take a look at how to wear them and where to buy them.
When it comes to formal occasions, everyone dresses to impress and African women are known for their vibrant sense of style and occasion. One of the least well-known of the African formal dresses is the mishanana; one of the most elegant contributions to world fashion.
Each African nation has its own style of formal dress. Rwanda itself is situated between Burundi to the South, Uganda to the North with Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo on either side. Due to its turbulent political past, Rwanda has been influenced strongly in its language and fashion by all sides but the mishanana remains uniquely Rwandan, and uniquely beautiful.
When you first see a mishanana it puts you in mind of an Indian sari: a long flowing skirt with a sash across one shoulder, but unlike the sari it is not all one length of fabric. The mishanana consists of a long, lined skirt and a separate scarf. The material is a light-weight see-through chiffon fabric which comes in a range of colours and patterns; the skirt must be lined so as not to be too revealing.
For true authenticity, and for adventurous travellers, Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, offers a unique shopping experience. From the post-office, turn down the hill towards the central Mosque and then right along the road that runs parallel behind. This is the cloth capital of Kigali where you will find waxed sheets of fabric yellow as mango and red as karkade flowers.
You always have to haggle your price, but usually enough good-quality fabric to make a mishanana will set you back in the region of FRW 25-30,000 (£25-30/$50-60) then you will need to buy the lining, which is typically FRW 1,000 per meter, of which you will need three (£3/$6). If you don’t feel like braving the marketplace, you can shop in style at the Union Trade Centre (UTC), Kigali’s flash new shopping centre. Here you will find an unparalleled range of high-quality fabrics, but they may set you back as much as FRW 60,000 (£60/$120).
If you splash out at UTC they will also make your mishanana for around FRW 7,000 (£7/$14), otherwise the market price, depending on your tailor, can range considerably: FRW 5-15,000 (£5-15/$10-30).
In addition to this you will need a simple thin-strapped vest top to wear underneath. You can buy these in shops that sell the material if you don’t already have one. Always make sure that the vest-top is tucked into the skirt. The other essential detail are a pair of closed-front, high heeled shoes. If you are tall already, kitten heels are absolutely fine but under no circumstances are flat-shoes acceptable.
So you've got your mishanana, fitting it is the next big step. Enter trusted friend.
Start with the skirt, which will have two draw strings. Hold these out in front of you to check that they are an even length and smooth all gathered fabric out, away from the body. Once you have checked they are even, push the gathered fabric back towards the sides of the body, not behind your back, then wrap the strings around and tie from behind. The overlapping split in the skirt should lie straight down your right leg.
Next, take the sash – again the assistance of a friend is highly recommended – and slip it under your left arm, tying the corners into a knot, or securing them with a broach, above your right shoulder. The sash should cover your right side, leaving your left vest-top-clad breast exposed.
Et voila! Uniquely traditional Rwandese style suitable for weddings and any formal occasion.
