Gabi (clothing)

Amhara man wearing Gabi

The Gabi (Amharic: ጋቢ) is a handmade cloth worn by Ethiopians mainly over the shoulders and upper body, and is made out of cotton. Unlike the two-layered kuta (worn by men) and netela (worn by women), it consists of four layers.[1]

Characterized by its thickness, the Gabi is the traditional garment of men belonging to the Amhara ethnic group due to the high altitude nature of their homeland, most of the time it's worn by the elderly and clergy.[2] Usually, Amhara women get together for spinning the yarn required to make several gabis. Amhara women present gabis as a gift for their husbands.[3]

Ethiopian cleric wearing a gabi

See also

• Bernos
• Netela

References

1. "Textiles of Ethiopia: Netela and Gabi". My journey to Ethiopian culture. [Road to Ethiopia - Camino a Etiopia]. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
2. Karsten, Detlev (1972). The Economics of Handicrafts in Traditional Societies: An Investigation in Sidamo and Gemu Goffa Province, Southern Ethiopia. Vol. 79. BRILL. p. 89. ISBN 9783803900685.
3. Karsten, Detlev (1972). The Economics of Handicrafts in Traditional Societies: An Investigation in Sidamo and Gemu Goffa Province, Southern Ethiopia. Vol. 79. BRILL. p. 125. ISBN 9783803900685.