Fila gobiis a soft hat traditionally worn by theYoruba peopleofWestern Africa.[1][2]It is made of hand-wovenaso okefabric,cotton,velvet,ordamask.They are usually lined with cotton, but can be unlined if crafted to be worn for a single event.
Although these hats originated amongst the Yoruba inNigeriathey are worn by men of other African ethnicities and ofAfrican descent.Worn exclusively by men, the fila fits snugly around the head, and it is commonly worn pushed to one side, resting above the wearer's ear. However, it can be "shaped" in a variety of ways, according to the personal taste of the wearer. It is said by some that fila when worn to the right (left-hand) signifies an unmarried man, while wearing it to the left (right-hand) indicates a married man, but there are different reasons. When a king or people of higher cadre wears it in one direction during an encounter, his followers wear it in the other. The younger ones tilt theirs to the front meaning that the future is theirs and elderly tilt theirs to the back meaning that they have had their time.[3]A similar tradition exists inBavariawith the knot of theDirndl.[4]
It is commonly worn with Yoruba casual attire and required wearing when dressing formally in anAgbada[1](also made with aso oke, lace or cotton) or brocadedashikisuits. A notable instance of a fila being worn for a special occasion was actorJohn Boyegawearing one to theStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerpremiere.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abc"John Boyega wears traditional dress at Star Wars premiere".The Independent.December 19, 2019.
Boyega completed his look by wearing a Fila, a traditional Yoruba cap frequently paired with an Agbada.
- ^Olanrewaju, Adenike (August 20, 2019)."The Fabric of Nigerian Weddings (Published 2019)".The New York Times– via NYTimes.com.
- ^"How to Use Fila | Yoruba Cap Style, Directions and Meanings".YouTube.26 December 2021.
- ^"The Meaning Behind Which Side to Tie the Dirndl on".8 July 2020.