What type of clothing is there in Madagascar?
The lamba is a traditional garment worn by both men and women. It is a regular length piece of cloth wrapped around one's body. Traditional lamba's made of silk were used for the burial of a loved one. Everyday lamba's would usually be made of cotton, raffia, or bast. Lamba's could be in almost any color. Common lamba's are not dyed (plain white.) Lamba's are also striped red, multi-colored, and geometric patterns usually in green and brown. There is white and black cloth used found in most parts of the island. Many different types of lamba's are:
- Lamba akotofahana, A woven silk lamba featuring highly complex geometric
designs. - Lamba mpanjaka, A ceremonial lamba traditionally
worn by nobles, the wealthy, or elders - Lambamena shop, A silk
burial shroud - Lamba arindrano, A traditional lamba made of a
blend of silk and cotton. - Jabo-landy, A traditional lamba
made of a blend of silk and raffia fibers. - Laimasaka, A traditional Sakalava raffia lamba
commonly decorated with geometric ikat-dyed
patterns and often used as a burial shroud. - Salaka, A lamba worn as a loincloth, measuring about 30 cm wide and 300 cm
long - Below you will see a pictures of a Lamba arindrano.