Africa · Life Style · Dress · Culture desk
The gele is sculpture worn on the head
A carefully tied headwrap can finish an outfit, identify an occasion and transform a wearer’s silhouette.
By Culture & Screen Desk · Nollywood, lifestyle and cultural reporting · 2 min read
Gele tying ranges from modest folded forms to dramatic fans and pleats. Fabric choice changes the result: aso oke gives structure, while softer textiles create a more relaxed shape.
At Nigerian weddings, a coordinated gele can connect an entire aso ebi group. Professional tiers have turned the practice into a creative service, but many families still pass techniques from one generation to the next.
About the desk
The Culture & Screen Desk reports African film, food, dress and living traditions with attention to makers, local meaning, labour and change.
More from this desk →