I love African attires and how colorful we love to be. It’s hard to not notice anyone in an African attire. I also love how all these attires somehow have carved out their specific uses for themselves over the years. Just as how white dresses are known for weddings, many attires are preferred for some occasions. Laces are used mostly for big occasions, but wearing a lace to the market just seems odd to me. Not everyone does this, but overdressing is ridiculous to me.
One thing I’ll always laugh about is Baban Riga, which literally means “big cloth” in Hausa language. So this attire is meant for rich men, or grooms during weddings or some special occasions. There’s usually an inner shirt that’s to be worn inside the Baban Riga. This attire has carved out a use for itself as “rich men’s” attire. It’s usually ridiculous to me when I see someone on okada with Baban Riga and air filling up the cloth. Lol, first off, this attire fits fat men more, one “lekpa” slim guy would want to impress people and decide that Baban Riga is the best. Lol.
El- Gringo pexels
Okay! Fine, even if you want to impress with Baban Riga, wouldn’t it be better to take a bike without it, just hold it till you get to your destination and then put it on and impress.
Don’t think I’m here to attack men only o. My fellow ladies, how can a lady without a car decide to wear high heels to a far place. Worst is that she would have to trek a long distance sometimes. And by the time she’s tired, he legs will begin to wobble. I’ve seen someone that got tired and walked barefoot to her house. Remember the video of a lady that was remixed with a song “the thing go skraa” by big shaq?
Another one for my gender is tight clothes. Pretty ladies with perfect dresses and awesome make up will be struggling to climb okada (bike) because they are not only wearing a tight corset dress, they would add heels to the mix. That’s when you see us sitting on one side of the bike.
Honestly I feel people look ridiculous when they go above and beyond to impress people. It’s really lovely to be yourself and be comfortable. I’m not saying people shouldn’t look good or try to look good. Dress appropriately depending on your mode of transportation. If you so desperately want to dress stunningly, and you don’t own a car, it’s wise to use Uber or bolt. You'll be comfortable and also impress the people you want to impress. Don’t spend thousands on your outfit and be struggling to take okada. My dear country people, it’s not wise.
I am definitely not against the use of commercial bikes, they are cheaper, and faster but when you dress to impress, go the extra mile to really impress. If you must wear a Baban Riga or a heel, you can as well keep them in a bag and wear something comfortable until you get to your destination and then you can wear the rest of your outfit.
