Agbada

Agbada () : Cloak, Mantle, is the flowing robe traditionally worn by the Yoruba people across West Africa. It comes with an innercloth of varying lengths and it also comes with a pair of bottom wear in form of native trousers called Shokoto. It also is worn most times with different caps like Fila , Abeti Aja and so on. Traditional Yoruba beads are most time worn with it. It's a male attire worn for special events and everyday life, depending on the extravagance of the garment. It is a distinct robe that comes in different styles and designs thumb|Yoruba man in Agbada thumb|A Yoruba man acting in a traditional drama, wearing an AgbadaFile:Giwa_Nurudeen.jpeg|thumb|Yoruba man in a type of Agbada Many Agbada are made with Asooke (Aso ofi) fabric, but can be made in many other different fabrics of local and imported sources, including; Adire, Brocade, Damask, and Laces. Agbada is somewhat similar to the grand boubou/ Babanriga in overall form, but has differences in details such as, style, shape, traditional fabric and materials used and are quite distinguishable. Agbada usually features native Yoruba embroidery, alongside symbolic motifs such as the Grand knot native to the Yoruba Culture. Agbada is one of the Attires of Yoruba men, others include Gbariye, Sulia, Oyala, Kembe, etc. Gbariye is close in looks to Agbada and many times considered a type of Agbada.

== History == Agbada is a type of Kaftan, which was brought to Africa, during the Islamic conquest of North Africa, in the 7th century. By the 12th century it was commonly adopted by high and middle class in Moroccan, and Maghreb societies. And by the 16th century it became widespread for the lower-class in those societies. Berber, and Arab merchants made their way across the desert to trade salt, cloth, and other manufactured goods in exchange for gold, slaves and other commodities in West Africa during the Trans Saharan trade, this brought the Kaftan, or Boubou into West Africa.