Leteisi Is Back With A Bang

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Monday November 23, 2009 00:00

 

Ask any Motswana what the traditional attire is, the answer will be none other than leteisi. Knowing very much that saying jeremani is the Setswana version for the German print fabric, they would prefer to run away from the obvious question: If it is the traditional attire why then is it called the German print? 

Leteisi has for decades been an integral part of a Motswana woman. Not having it, as a Motswana woman is synonymous with not being a Motswana woman enough, or being one without breasts. This fabric is, in fact, used as uniform at numerous events including wedding ceremonies, funerals, and Kgotla meetings.

There was an era in the fashion history of this country when three and six pieced clothing items; yellow, red and or blue weaves were perceived a thing of the other, especially West African women. This fabric used to also be associated with elderly women.

Not only did the 20th Century present a boom in information and technology (IT), it is an era in Botswana when leteisi leads the vocals in the fashion chorus.

The fabric underwent tremendous and eye-pleasing changes under the innovative stitches of fashion designers, and has gained a handful of clientele. Its fusion with fabrics like silk has taken it further from big pots of pounded meat to places as glamorous as the runway. The transition has been unisex; today even men dress up in outfits made from this fabric.    

Leteisi has its presence felt in the political arena as well. As much as United States (US) first lady Michelle Obama and Sarah Palin (US vice presidential running mate) have recently added much to the fashion in politics or politics of fashion in the US, so has leteisi in Botswana. If there were to be a uniform for women legislators, this fabric would, without doubt, form part of the daily policy formulation of this Republic.

It has an imprint at major events in the country's political calendar like the Budget speech and the State of Nation address.

Mpho Kuaho, a fashion designer whose cut has made an invaluable contribution to fashion in Botswana, says the fashion pulse brought about by fusing leteisi with a modern touch is so much felt. Kuaho, of the clothing line Jophes 09267, says the fabric is in high demand.

'We see leteisi a lot nowadays. Yes, it is in demand and new interesting prints keep on coming,' she says.

She personally likes leteisi not only because the fabric has been around for a long time and has become part of the people, but also because it is easy to work with.

'We identify ourselves with it,' she says.

Depending on how innovative a designer is, she says, leteisi is a very easy fabric to work with.

She acknowledges that fashion is influenced by all sorts of traditions.

'Fashion envolves and we always look back into the past to come up with modern designs and in this case, it is more like expressing our identity as Africans and appreciating where we come from,' she says. 

As to the new trend of coating shoes and hats with it, Kuaho says the material can be used anyhow. She says its functionality is only cut short by the user's imaginations and creativity.

'Interior designers use it for decorations, fashion designers for clothing, shoes, handbags, hats and belts and there is no limit,' she says.

The 2006 winner of the Redds African Fashion Design Awards, says this fabric is an essential ingredient in her career.

'I live it,' she says.

Asked whether her products made of leteisi have won awards she briefly says, 'yes and many more to come'.

Kuaho is confident that the foundation for the fashion industry is already there, and visible.

'It is going in the right direction,' she says.

If one were to add into what the popular Tanzanian designer, Mustafa Hassanali recently said at the Swahili Fashion Week, 'just like India has saris and Japan has the kimono, we have the kanga,' and Botswana has leteisi'.