If you ask me about my favorite project…

THE DARA CAP

Caps are held in great esteem in Kanuri society. They are ordinarily used for protecting the head against the harsh sun & dust by the Kanuri people (cf. Ogboli, 2004). However, it is unfortunate to state that the origin of how the use of caps began among the Kanuri people, and the etymology of the term is still vague, “but its origin could be traced to Saudi Arabia, Karachi, Islamabad, et cetera, et cetra, et cetera. This information resonates with other information that traced the origin to North Africa and Middle East” (cf. Nachtigal 1869)

Why is THE cap my favorite project? It starts with a historical attachment to it. History has it that the Dara is locally hand-made with refined fabrics to give it the exclusivity it mainatins to date. Fabric such as cotton is the most common; with characters of versatility, nature, and rich history, all dating back thousands of years. Cotton, a soft, breathable, and highly absorbent fabric, makes it comfortable for wear in all seasons, including all fashion seasons.

Another high-end fabric used for the dara is Cashmere (fabric of kings), which boasts a reputation few other fabrics can match. Cashmere, a soft, luxurious natural fiber (gotten from cashmere goats harmlessly), holds a special place in the fashion industry, with upscale sweaters, cardigans, shawls, and scarves being its major applications. This breathable fabric adjusts to body temperature, making it ideal for regions such as Borno, Sokoto, Adamawa, Morrocco, UAE, Egypt, and Abuja, Nigeria’s FCT.

So, having to continue the creativity by adding pearls, which were hand sewn, gave me the feeling of being a part of a creative cycle that had to do with elegant timeless fashion. It was hands-on from the fabric sourced, making it into form and crafting on the pearls. I saw the endless possibilities of how I could impact a part of fashion in the male world from the northern part of Nigeria WITH JUST THAT ACT OF TRANSFORMING A CAP. 

Morell is one of the coolest entertainers in Nigeria, who accepted to have his Dara cap adorned with pearls for his debut Afro Kalangu concert, which is one of my best concerts ever. So organized and colorfully entertaining.

If it was done before, it is something I had never seen done, decorated northern cap of such simple nature and with real pearls hand craftedly sewn? I mean the Zawa caps that are always fancily decorated sweep closets of men and boys alike, but the wave of the simple dara that comes in few colors, has captured young men as a new expression of growth, style and charisma. Every young man wants a dara and, statistically, the burgundy (red one).

The pop culture fashion scene in Northern Nigeria has always boast of its unique approach outside its space and beyond due to the influence of Arabs and also contemporary street styles over centuries. Morell wore it like the Afro kalangu king that he is on stage and paired it with Man Like Robane 3-piece attire.

Why is this my favorite project? Perhaps because it was documented, and it made me see from a perspective how looking back and trusting the process keeps one motivated. 

Moving forward, it’s a dream to see people customize their Daras to give it personality to express creativity of ones imagination.