DIY African costume: a detailed description with useful tips. We sew a Papuan costume with our own hands: fast, simple, original

History of the Masai tribe

It is believed that their ancestors first appeared in northern Africa, later they migrated south along the Nile Valley and arrived in northern Kenya in the middle of the 15th century. They continued to move south, conquering all the tribes in their path. By the end of their journey, the Masai owned almost all the land in the Rift Valley and the adjacent territories between the mountains of Marsabit and Dodoma. Here they settled and took up cattle breeding. One of the most famous African tribes. They live in Kenya and Tanzania. The number of representatives reaches 100 thousand people. Most often they can be found on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, which occupies a prominent place in the mythology of the Maasai.

Perhaps the size of this mountain influenced the worldview of the members of the tribe - they consider themselves the favorites of the gods, the highest people and sincerely believe that there are no more beautiful people in Africa than they are. This self-image gave rise to a contemptuous, often even derogatory attitude towards other tribes, which caused frequent wars between the tribes. In addition, it is customary for the Maasai to steal animals from other tribes, which also does not improve their reputation. The dwelling of the Maasai is built from branches smeared with manure. This is done mainly by women, who also, if necessary, take on the duties of pack animals. The main share of nutrition is milk or blood of animals, less often - meat. hallmark elongated earlobes are considered beauty in this tribe. At present, the tribe is almost completely exterminated or dispersed, only in the remote corners of the country, in Tanzania, there are still separate Masai nomad camps.

Masai clothing and beauty

Maasai tribe prefer clothes bright colors considered to be red Blue colour mexico clothingtransformer. Many are accustomed to think that national clothes. Even despite the fact that with the development of the structure of national parks in Kenya, the Maasai lost everything together, and even taking into account the red clothes and beaded jewelry of the Maasai. Vladivostok clothing companies. The Maasai tribe prefers clothes of bright colors. It is believed that swiss bonnets with wings, the national clothes of the Swiss differed greatly depending on the canton. The warrior cult has a very great importance at the tribe.

From childhood to Masai clothing and beauty. Although for the tribe, clothing made from animal skins is traditional. Despite the reputation of the Maasai as fierce warriors, cattle are at the center of their culture. During this time, boys wear black clothes for 48 months. Although animal skins are traditional for the tribe, modern Masai preferred a dress made of red sheets (also called shuka) wrapped around the body. All kinds of beaded jewelry on the arms and neck are also very popular. They are worn by both men and women, unisex, so to speak. The piercing and stretching of the earlobes is also considered an attribute of beauty among the Maasai. Both men and women wear metal hoops in their ears. Women shave their heads and specially knock out the two lower front teeth, which is required by traditional medicine.

First, a few words about the dress code. This question is very relevant on the eve of the African party, both for your friends and for yourself. After all, I hope you plan to show the most best example in respect of festive costume to your guests? You will shine against the backdrop of the jungle created by your own hand in a Tarzan loincloth, or in the outfit of a wild Bagheera panther ... However, the costume base for an African safari is so wide that an hour is not enough to describe it in full breadth and depth. But, nevertheless, I will give you several directions for the development of fantasy and the search for something of your own, corresponding to the mood and “call” of your inner, instinctive nature.

So, we select a costume according to the main direction of the party

If you're planning to base your African party on the adventures of Edgar Burroughs' (I'm talking about Tarzan) the monkey-raised kid, then it's only fitting that guests come to your party dressed as the protagonists of the famous novel.

Tarzan and Jane

For Jane a small one will do a khaki dress, or a skirt and corset laced up at the front. It will be nice if you manage to decorate the dress leopard print. If your outfit is monophonic - choose a hat and accessories (for example, bracelets, shoes) exactly to match the skin color of the jungle predators. This version of the outfit will be especially good to “play” if you are going to visit not by yourself, but accompanied by your own home Tarzan, who will be dressed in a tunic made of tiger (leopard) skin. By the way, the image of Tarzan would also not hurt to add some accessories. For example, you can tie a bandage around your head (from the same material as the tunic), and you can put a lace with a fang of a wild animal around your neck. As for shoes, Tarzan (the true hero of the novel) is used to moving around the jungle barefoot. If this form is unacceptable for you, put on soft leather moccasins. I think that E. Burroughs will forgive your Tarzan some deviation from the law of the jungle.

Wild animals

However, it will not be very interesting if there are 10 tarzans and the same number of his girlfriends at your party. Therefore, initially distribute the roles (as in nature) between the guests. Suppose you (the hosts of the event) will just get the main roles of the notorious multi-volume epic of the great author. And the rest of the guests? They can be invited to choose the costume of any African animal with which they associate themselves!

Girls usually like to dress up in costumes. wild cats jungle - panthers, lionesses, tigresses.

The basis of such a suit is a jumpsuit or bodysuit of the appropriate color. You can add leggings to it (then the costume will more clearly emphasize your sexual forms), fur boots or leggings (for a more tangible effect), ears and a tail.

very slender and tall girls can put on elegant suit giraffes. It usually consists of tight two-tone trousers, a corset and a cute beanie with horns.

Men, on the other hand (by the way, they approach the concept of wild animals more broadly) prefer to dress up in costumes of elephants, monkeys, birds and the first, cavemen.

Why the latter fell into the category of "wild animals" is still incomprehensible to me, but at an African party such types look simply incomparable! Someone needs to create a cheerful mood and make guests smile!

Completely different costumes will be needed if you plan to make the theme the main philosophy of the holiday. wildlife and harmonious coexistence of man with it. Primitive age, jungle, cave, fire, spears, mammoth hunting and ritual dances give rise to new images for your guests.

However, making such costumes will be easier than ever!

Wild people of the wild continent

Although, you can add a few more, decorated in ethnic style decorations and, of course, African shields and spears! Though you are at a party, you are warriors to the marrow of your bones! What if, somewhere nearby, a mammoth will run, and you - without a weapon?

The image of a "cave" girl - an African woman, also strives for minimalism in clothes, but involves a frilly hairstyle, a lot of accessories. In particular - earrings, beads, hair ornaments.

Mother Earth

This image is also very revered among the African natives. The fertile Earth, which provides food, protection, wisely helps to sort out disputes, has always been deified. Sacrifices were made to her, songs were sung and ritual dances were danced at sunset.

However, the image of the Earth is epic, therefore, when preparing for a party, you can recreate it in a costume absolutely arbitrarily. Most likely, the outfit for the Mother is a dress, in calm green or peach colors, decorated with flowers, branches, ribbons. But your imagination can tell you something completely different. Listen to her and become the goddess of the African ball!

Living tree

Also unique and universal image for all variants of an African party. In addition, such a costume will work great if your goal is to be a detached observer at the holiday and not participate in any competitions. The basis of the costume is a long hoodie made of fabric, which is put on the head and hangs freely to the floor. You can decorate the hoodie by sheathing with flowers, branches, fruits.

And finally, a few words about the costumes for white hunters who came to the black mainland to participate in an African safari.

African safari hunter costumes

Typically, both female and men's suit consists of a shirt (buttoned and with a collar) and trousers (shorts). Color - camouflage green, or khaki. Another required element costume - thick woolen socks combined with hiking boots. And, of course, weapons.

Basically, if you're just going to an African safari-style party, you can simplify the strict hunting dress code a bit. For example, to refuse rough boots (applies, in particular, to sophisticated girls) and woolen socks(if the holiday falls on a hot season).

But you should not refuse a cute accessory - a classic straw hat or a cork hunting helmet. As a rule, the recognition of the image always arises precisely because of this headdress!

And a few more words about interesting details that can be matched to a safari suit. As we have already mentioned, in our time, tourists go to Africa mainly to participate not in real hunting for wild animals, but in the so-called photo hunting. Therefore, for the sake of credibility, when going to a party, you can hang binoculars or a camera around your neck.

Also, take it with you. interesting bag with African print and oversized sunglasses.

Perhaps your guests have received enough "food for thought". It remains to have time to turn all our and our own ideas into a real fabric and enter the image. And we, dear hosts of the holiday, have a lot of things ahead of us! In particular, it is high time to discuss holiday menu! What are you going to treat all wild animals, natives and hunters, who will soon gather in your house? After the safari, they will all be very hungry for sure! Because - the advice of the best chefs to help you!

MENU FOR AFRICAN SAFARI

DECOR OF THE FESTIVE TABLE

The festive table should not differ in the general style of the composition from the ceremonial hall, where the main part of the event will take place. Therefore, I advise you to lay the tablecloth in black and white, you can choose a cover for the “leopard skin”, and decorate the center of the table with a strip of shiny brown organza. It will be very beautiful and tasteful!

Dishes. Treats are best served on wooden flat plates, and drinks are poured into tall iron rough glasses (by the way, they can be decorated with a strip of fabric to match the tablecloth).

The only thing that "white hunters" can leave at their festive table from the signs of civilization is metal cutlery. When setting the table, they can also be wrapped in a napkin that matches the tone of the tablecloth.

Decorations. Decorate festive table you can use wooden figurines of the inhabitants of the jungle, as well as cute pots with young tropical greenery.

Well, now - let's talk about what will be nice to put on beautiful plates!

AFRICAN SNACKS

Real hunters (and their "trophies" too) will not be able to pass up a fresh green banana fries. This dish comes from Kenya, and tastes like potatoes, familiar to Europeans, dried in oil.

Preparing this dish is quite easy. You just need to cut not quite ripe bananas into strips and deep-fry over medium heat, in plenty of oil. Serve with fresh herbs and sauce to the table, and, preferably, I will fight after frying.

You can also serve as an appetizer an original African delicacy - fried ants. If there are gourmets among your guests, they will surely appreciate your dish! However, true connoisseurs of the taste of insects are very rare among Russians - therefore, I propose to replace real ants with chocolate ones. Or, at least, decorate tartlets with cream or green cheese paste with them!

Also throughout the evening, guests should have free access to dishes with exotic tropical fruits such as pineapple, bananas, mangoes and pomegranates.

Theme parties are very popular these days. The organizers not only create the right atmosphere, but also completely immerse in it by setting a dress code for participants who must appearance match the theme of the festival. There are a great many topics: temporary (40s, 50s, 60s, etc.), professional, on the theme of a particular movie, cartoon. Parties are dedicated even different nations, countries, continents. One of these colorful events is african party. Undoubtedly, this land is full of mysteries and secrets, which cannot but cause a desire to plunge into this world at least for a moment, to become a part of it. However, through these dreams, the thought emerges of what kind of outfit you can appear there, where to get it, whether it will be african costume with your own hands, or maybe it will be bought in a store.

The article will describe how to create an outfit with your own hands, both for children and adults.

Children's suit

Most a budget option is to use the materials that are in every home. As a rule, in our view, an African costume consists of a loincloth / skirt, necklaces, bracelets.

The first of these can be done in the following way:

• as a basis, take a belt, elastic band, cord, braid;
• to impose strips of plastic or garbage bags on it, one or different colors. It can also be carved from thick fabric or paper leaves.

The same materials are suitable as decorations for the neck. And you can also tie small bones, naturally washed, or you can cut them out of cardboard. It could be mother's beads. You can also make bracelets that are worn both on the arm and on the leg.

The head, too, cannot be left unadorned. If the costume is for a girl, then you can either braid your hair into thin braids, weave threads into them or leave them natural. Make a colored wig from the same cellophane. This will be relevant for a boy whose hair is usually short. It will also be interesting to watch a headdress with feathers in the form of a crown. If the house has a skin that imitates a tiger, lion, then, thrown over the shoulders, it will definitely fit into the image. By the way, you can also create a simple outfit from it, which consists of a top and a bandage on the hips. Modest and tasteful.

Toy spears, a quiver with arrows, a bow, a shield will add additional credibility.

The photo shows the options:

Ideas for adults

Here the outfits can be varied, as the parties themselves are multidirectional.

It can be all the same animal skins (their imitation) in the form of dresses, tops, loincloths, leggings. A man can wear a jacket, shirt, T-shirt, trousers with an animal print.

You can take a colorful fabric similar to African motifs (for example, curtains, stole, pareo, etc.), tie it like a dress, skirt. With the ability to sew a shirt for a man, a tunic for himself.

For inspiration:

You can tie a bright scarf on a woman’s hair, braid pigtails. Wear beads around your neck, and not alone. Ringing bracelets. Both a woman and a man will suit necklaces made of flowers cut out of paper.

Can be applied to the face special paints, depicting the muzzle of an African animal.

Again, it is quite acceptable to take an elastic band, stick straw, hemp to it, sew leaves from paper, fabric, strips from bags. It will look equally interesting on both men and women. Moreover, if a man’s top can consist of some kind of simple necklace, then a woman can afford to make a bra from coconut halves.

Spears, bows, arrows, a shield (for example, taken from a child) can also serve as accessories.

If the theme of the party is "Safari in Africa", then there will be little to do with your own hands. It is enough to put on military-style clothes (khaki, sand, etc.), put a pith helmet on your head, you can replace it with a similar panama hat or tie a bandana, goggles on your nose (during the party hang around the neck), rough boots on your feet. Perhaps even a toy gun, as an addition to the image.

The theme of Africa ends not only with national traditions, but also makes it possible to feel like a famous historical figure of this continent, for example, Cleopatra:

• can be taken as a basis White dress or a top and skirt of the same color or a piece of fabric, tying it crosswise around the neck;
• from thick cardboard and foil (gold or silver color) we make a headdress, a collar, bracelets, a belt, the basis of which can be a belt;
• sandals, sandals are put on the legs to match the color of the accessories;
• you can also put a wig on your head or give your hair a royal volume;
• certainly do not forget about the famous makeup of the queen.

Of course, this is the simplest and most modest option. You can find on the Internet an image of Cleopatra's screen images, bring them to life. If the lady decided to come to the party in such a way, then her companion can easily afford Caesar's outfit.

For the parents of every child, the question often arises about carnival costume of one sort or another. Moreover, such a need appears not only under New Year: various themed holidays and matinees, birthdays and outings. And it is not necessary to buy an expensive suit in the store for every occasion. After all, there are many options for how to create interesting image for a child with their own hands!

One such example is Papuan costume. This is a universal solution - it will suit both a boy and a girl, and it can be done very simply, without large costs and long efforts. There are many options for how to make a native costume. It all depends on the imagination of the parents.

And how interesting it is to involve the child himself in the manufacture! Including the baby in the process will make the costume especially beloved, because he made his own efforts. It is likely that the child will really help his parents to make an African costume: a child's fantasy, as a rule, is much richer than an adult's, and the baby can tell interesting solutions.

Usually, the savage costume consists of several constituent parts . They include:

• skirt;
• T-shirt or topic;
• headdress;
• shoes;
• accessories (beads, earrings, etc.);
• weapon.

Obviously, this list is not fundamental, and depending on the conditions and gender of the child, one or another detail can be excluded or added.

The materials from which you can make a papuan costume with their own hands, are also very diverse. There are options made from garbage bags or New Year's rain, cassette film or satin ribbons. The decision depends only on the parents and the child himself. The costume can be very bright, or can be solved in one color scheme. The savage costume is a real platform for a flight of fancy.

If you use makeup to create an image, then the character will turn out to be even brighter, and the child will receive additional emotions from reincarnation. But not all children, especially boys, like to put “paints” on their faces. If the child agrees, which happens in most cases, then best material for applying an additional entourage to the face, there will be face painting, which is quickly and easily washed off without leaving marks and without irritating the skin of the child.

Top of the suit

The ideal solution there will be an imitation of the skin of a dead animal for a boy and a light top for a girl. Any cheetah or other fabric can be used to make a lightweight T-shirt or simply wrap it around the body. but real fur should not be used - it is impractical, it will most likely look rude, and the child may be hot in such a suit.

For the most girl ideal solution The top of the clothes will be a top made of the same material. from which the skirt is made. You can string, for example, a New Year's rain or cutting from garbage bags on an elastic band, which will correspond to the size of the chest circumference of a young Papuan. It will look great if the elastic is both above and below, forming a finished top, but hanging elements that are not fixed from below also look great.

An integral element, independent of the gender of the baby, is the skirt. It is suitable for both a girl and a boy, since the Papuans wore this element of clothing without being divided by gender. The basis for the skirt will ideally serve as a wide or narrow elastic band, measured to the size of the child's waist. And here the skirt itself can be made from various materials.

One way or another, there are a lot of options for creating a skirt for an African costume. All depends only on the imagination of the manufacturers.

African headdress

As a headdress can be ideal:

• feathers;
• flowers;
• a cap made of the same fabric from which the base of the costume is sewn;
• leaves of African plants (you can sew a hat, a wreath out of them, or simply weave them into your hair).

It is important to consider that the headdress should not be too big and draw attention to itself. Of course, this is if he is not an accent in a suit and does not play a major role in the idea.

Papuan accessories and shoes

The little things add up to the whole, so do not forget about the details. Beads (from large rings or floral Hawaiian beads), clip-on earrings that will match the overall style of the costume (floral or rings), and armlets (best to wear them on lower part shoulder, just above the elbow or forearm, and they should be made in harmony with the main costume. Same accessories can be worn on the legs, for example, just below the knee.

Shoes should be as comfortable as possible. Czechs will be the best option, and for harmony with the rest of the costume elements, you can sew on parts from the remaining materials.

The Papuan costume is light and fast way make the mood baby really festive. You can play in it without fear of getting dirty or ruining it: you can run and jump in it without difficulty, because it does not restrict movement at all.

It is noteworthy that such suits are very easy to carry - they practically do not wrinkle and take up very little space. The practicality and brightness of the image of a native will please the child, cheer him up and make the baby a decoration of any holiday.

A carnival African costume, made quickly and simply with your own hands, can be made at a minimum cost. At the same time, it will turn out to be no less good than bought in specialized departments of stores. Below we will look at how to make an African costume for children.

We create a quick and easy African costume with our own hands

We named it so simply, because to make this costume you only need materials that every home has.

1. You can make a skirt out of paper, plastic bags and even juice boxes. You just need to make leaves with scissors and attach them to the belt from the tape. Fastening can be done either with a needle and thread, or simply by gently gluing them. You can also make a skirt from straw or hemp (of course, if you have one of these at hand).
2. Also on the arms and legs we will make bracelets from rubber bands with leaves sewn on them from the same materials that made the skirt, only in this case the prepared leaves should be much smaller than on the skirt. Also, these bracelets can be made from threads.
3. We will make a necklace on the chest from the same materials, you can cut out fangs and small bones from pieces of cardboard, and attach it to the necklace along with the bulk of the leaves.
4. On the head we will make a wig from threads. Moreover, if the threads for the wig are thick, then you can do nothing with them (leave shaggy hair). And on thin strands you need to braid a large number of small braids. If there are not enough threads, then in the middle on the wig you can attach a small hat made of leaves that were prepared for bracelets and a skirt. The wig is attached to the head with elastic bands sewn on the inside.
5. We attach two large rings to the wig near the ears. Or if there are clip-on earrings in the form of large rings, you can put them on.
6. If desired, you can throw a tiger skin over your shoulder (any piece of fabric of a suitable color can even be torn old jacket or T-shirt). This suit is suitable for both boys and girls.

• Garbage bags are best large, colored and with strings. We measure on the package desired length skirts, and cut off everything superfluous. We cut the workpiece into narrow strips. Let's prepare the belt of the skirt, for this we take a wide dense ribbon a little more than the girth needed for the child and with threads, a stapler or glue we attach the prepared ribbons from the bags to the belt. Optionally, you can make a skirt in one layer or more fluffy in several layers. On the belt of the skirt we sew several hooks or buttons.
• In the same way, for girls, you can make a bandage on the chest, only it is better to take a wide elastic band for the base and attach the strips to it by sewing with threads.
• The necklace is made of short strips strung on a thin rope.
• Make bracelets on arms and legs using narrow elastic bands threads and strips cut from garbage bags.
• To complete the look, tone your face with paint and make a wig out of strips of a black garbage bag, secure it to your head with a feather headband.

We make a Papuan costume according to ready-made measurements for a festive carnival

You can dress up in such a costume for any carnival or party, it is easy to perform and suitable for all children. The photo below shows an example of such a suit.

• The top of the costume will be a top or a T-shirt, it is better to make it from a bright tiger-colored material, this will be an imitation of the skin of an animal. For girls, you can decorate the top of a separate swimsuit with a variety of feathers, beads, buttons, flaps and all sorts of things. If the holiday takes place in winter and it is assumed that the child may freeze in the room where it will be held, then it is advisable to wear a flesh-colored turtleneck under the suit for warmth and decorate it with decorative elements.
• A skirt for a native can be made in several ways. Sew it from brindle fabric and decorate it the same way as the top. Or collect a lot of multi-colored ribbons on an elastic band. You can also use green patches for a skirt imitating these leaves and also collect them on an elastic band, like ribbons. It is also possible to make a skirt from feathers, fringe and other various materials that fantasy tells you. Any child will love this costume.
• Making a headpiece for this costume is quite simple. You can take a bunch of feathers and fix it in the form of a crown on your head. Feathers can be made from multi-colored cardboard, or from white and color it yourself.
• The crown on the head should hold well enough to not slip off when playing, and should be light and comfortable.
• A native needs to put beads on his neck; you can ask your mother for them or make them yourself. It is also necessary to make bracelets for hands and feet from multi-colored strips of fabric.
• It will be funny to wear necklaces made of bones cut out of cardboard and painted in light color. Bones can also be woven into a hairstyle and attached to a headdress.
• Shoes for a matinee at school or kindergarten need to decorate according to the costume.
• A native can be given a pike instead of a spear, while decorating it. You can also help the child apply war paint to the body, just make sure that the children do not overdo it.

Video on the topic of the article