The sensual Habesha kemis from Ethiopia

Women's traditional clothes in Ethiopia are made from cloth called shemma and it is used to make the habesha qemis. This is basically cotton cloth about 90cm wide, woven in long strips which are then sewn together, sometimes shiny threads are woven into the fabric for an elegant effect. It takes about two to three weeks to make enough cloth for one dress. The bottom of the garment may be ornamented with patterns.

The Habesha people also known as Abyssinians, are a population group inhabiting the Horn of Africa. The include various related ethnic groups in Eritrean Highlands and Ethiopian Highlands who  speak languages belonging to the South Semetic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family. 

The habesha kemis is the traditional attire of Ethiopian women. Some Rastafarian women in the African diaspora also wear these dresses. The ankle length dress usually worn by Ethiopian women at formal events is made of white chiffon. Many women wrap a shawl called Netella around the formal dress.

The Habesha Kemis is a sensual garment revealing the sense of a women!

Well crafted in East Africa...

xoxo