Black has always been a colour associated with negativity, as seen in books and movies where witches wear black and even pirates also use black clothes.

Even in real life, black is used for funerals. Widows in some cultures are meant to wear black for a certain period of time. Also, black is usually linked to death.

Research has shown that as opposed to the unfair assumption that black is just black, there are many shades of black like every other colour.

With the world continuously evolving, that perception is slowly changing because black is now seen as an expression of self, which has led to it being seen more as a fashion statement than the colour of doom. This naturally leads us to why black Kaftan is now on the rise in northern Nigeria.

Black Kaftan in Northern Nigeria

For years now, especially in northern Nigeria, black clothes have always been associated with Shi’ites, partly because most Northerners are skeptical about wearing a black outfit. With the continuous riots and protests caused by Shi’ites, one has to be cautious about what they wear to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Recently, however, this is not the case. With the recent crackdown on members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria by the Nigerian Government, the Shi’ites have opted for a subtler approach. Instead of the usual black clothes they are known for wearing, they now reserve the black clothes for only special occasions like the Ashura annual processions. On other days, they wear regular clothes just like everyone else.

This naturally means that other people are now open to wearing black kaftans without fearing being judged as white by the public. This, and the black colour’s versatility, not to forget its durability and resistance to dirt, means youths across northern Nigeria are now wearing black kaftans. It is not uncommon to go to an Eid praying ground and see many young men wearing their black kaftans confidently.

Who knew black was this beautiful? After all, black has always been one of the most loved colors, especially amongst men. There are other colours men should stop wearing, but black is not one of them.

Fashion is always evolving, so I can safely say wearing black is a rising fashion trend that may not last. Though with how good it looks, I sure hope it does.