Kirdi Beaded Apron, Cameroon - Large

Description of Significance of this Kirdi Beaded Apron Wall Hanging from Cameroon

This beaded apron was worn by girls and women from communities often grouped under the name “Kirdi,” a term meaning “pagan” that was given by neighboring Muslim groups to people who did not practice Islam. These communities lived in what is now northern Cameroon, northeastern Nigeria, and southern Chad. While the label is commonly used, it is imperfect, as it refers not to a single culture but to many distinct groups, each with their own traditions. Because the precise origin of this apron is unknown, it is not possible to identify exactly which group created it.

One tradition shared across these communities was the use of beadwork to adorn women’s bodies. Girls typically began wearing simple leather belts with hanging straps around the age of six or seven, sometimes paired with an additional string belt. As they reached marriageable age, these belts were replaced with beaded aprons—known in some regions as pikuran—which were worn especially for ceremonial and special occasions and signaled a young woman’s eligibility for marriage. Women also wore belts made of brass rings or beads, and the number of decorative elements displayed reflected wealth and social standing. Different designs and styles communicated a woman’s cultural identity, age, and marital status.

After Cameroon gained independence in 1961, new regulations required women to be fully dressed, which led to the decline of these traditional garments.

Country of Origin

• Hand beaded in Cameroon

Dimensions (inches)

• Width: 35"
• Height: 53"

Sustainable Materials

• Glass beads
• Natural fibers

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