What did royalty wear in Africa? Read this article to learn about African royalty outfits from the past.
What did African Royalty Wear? Africa is a large continent that has been populated by all kinds of people for thousands of years. This article offers you glance into African royalty clothing history.
The following pictures will show you, and teach you about, important royalty from the recent history of Africa.
Look at what the royals are wearing. Think about the time and the place in which they lived and about What it means to be royalty across the continent of Africa.
Taarifa
Taarifa means information in Kiswahili, at the foot of each image is a section headed “Taarifa” containing pertinent information relating to the image.
This article is all about African royalty outfits.
25 BEAUTIFUL AFRICAN ROYALTY OUTFITS FROM THE PAST
4 CENTRAL AFRICAN ROYALTY OUTFITS
25. The Fon of Bandjoun
The Fon of Bandjoun is a traditional ruler in the West Region of Cameroon. Fon is the title given to the supreme chief of Bandjoun. Today, the Fon of Bandjoun is His Majesty Honoré Djomo Kamga.
The Kingdom of Bandjoun has been in existence for over four hundred years!
The Fon lived in a palace called Chengbundyeh which was transformed into a museum in Cameroon called Le Musée de Bandjoun.
Click Here to see the palace of Bandjoun in 17 Impressive Buildings Out Of The Africa Architecture Scene.
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The Fon of Bandjoun
Kingdom of Bandjoun
People: Bamileke
Time period: 20th century
Country: Bandjoun Chefferie, Koung-Khi, Cameroon, Central Africa
© Bamiboi / CC-BY-SA-4.0
24. Nenzima, Queen of the Mangbetu
The Queen Nenzima of Mangbetuland was a highly influential woman in the history of the Mangbetu. She was an excellent speaker and debater.
When Queen Nenzima spoke people would follow her around because of her intelligence.
The Mangbetu loved were artistic and fashion-forward people (look at her nails!). Mangbetu women are known for their beauty and practice of head elongation as seen in 19 African Life Paintings & Sketches.
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Nenzima, Queen of the Mangbetu
Kingdom of Mangbetu
Year: 1913
Country: Mangbetuland, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa
23. Kot MAbIInc, King of the kuba
Kot Mabiinc was the King of the Kingdom of Kuba. He ruled the Kuba for 20 years, from 1919 to 1939.
The Kingdom of Kuba started in the 1600s. It was one of Africa’s most artistic kingdoms for clothing and jewelry, homeware and more.
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Kot Mabiinc, King of Kuba
Kingdom of the Kuba
Year: c. 1929-1937
Country: Mushenge, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa
22. Mbop Mabiinc maMbeky, King of the Kuba
Mbop Mabiinc maMbeky was King of the Kingdom of Kuba for 30 years, from 1939 to 1969. He became the King of the Kuba directly after King Kot Mabiinc.
In this picture you can see what male African royalty wore in the Kingdom of Kuba. But outfits like King maMbeky’s were usually only made for Kings and powerful rulers.
11 Photos of Africa Historical Fashion Items & Trends
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Mbop Mabiinc maMbeky, King of the Kuba
Kingdom of the Kuba
Year: 1947
Country: Mushenge, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa
7 EAST AFRICAN ROYALTY OUTFITS
21. Zewditu I, Empress of ethiopia
The last Empress of Ethiopia, Zewditu reigned for 14 years, from 1916 to 1930. Zewditu was the first female head of state of an internationally recognized country in Africa.
The Empress Zewditu was the daughter of the Emperor Menelik II and the predecessor to the Emperor Haile Selassie.
The Ethiopian Empire has a long history in Christianity hasa in arts + culture, peep the cross on her neck. Check the Ethiopian 12th century rock-hewn Church of Lalibela out in 17 Impressive Buildings Out Of The Africa Architecture Scene.
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Zewditu I, Empress of Ethiopia
Empire of Ethiopia
People: Ethiopians
Year: pre 1930
Country: Ethiopian Empire, Ethiopia, East Africa
20. Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia
Haile Selassie was the last Emperor of Ethiopia, he ruled for 14 years, from 1930 to 1974. Emperor Haile Selassie was a member of the Solomonic dynasty.
Haile Selassie helped create the Organisation of African Unity and was the OAU’s first chairman.
The Christ Nursed By The Virgin Mary is a 15th century painting belonging to the Solomonic era of Ethiopian history. See the painting in 7 Treasured Medieval and Ancient African Art History Objects Found Across The Continent of Africa.
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Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia
Empire of Ethiopia
People: Ethiopian
Year: c. 1923
Country: Ethiopian Empire, Ethiopia, East Africa
19. Ririkumutima, Queen Regent of Burundi
Ririkumutima, by her full name Mwamikazi Nidi Ririkumutima Bizima Bitazimiza Mwezi, was the Queen Regent of the Kingdom of Burundi for 9 years, from 1908 to 1917.
In the Kingdom of Burundi, the title Mugabekazi was given to the Queen Regent, or Queen Mother. Queen Ririkumutima is said to have been an intelligent leader, just as competent as her male counterparts.
These are 23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures. Which ones do you recognize?
These are 23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures. Which ones do you recognize?
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Ririkumutima, Mugabekazi of Burundi
Kingdom of Burundi
Year: pre 1917
Country: Kingdom of Burundi, Burundi, East-Central Africa
18. Children and guards of the Sultan of Zanzibar
The Sultan Barghash bin Said was the second sultan of Zanzibar. During his reign, the Sultan built many notable buildings in Zanzibar like the famous House of Wonders that you can see in 23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures.
Today, you can see the buildings in Stone Town on the island of Zanzibar in the country of Tanzania.
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Children and Guards of the Sultan of Zanzibar
Sultanate of Zanzibar
Year: 1884
Country: Zanzibar Sultanate, Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa
17. Daudi Cwa II, Kabaka of buganda
Daudi Cwa II was the 34th Kabaka for 42 years, from 1897-1939. The king of Buganda is called Kabaka.
Today, Muwenda Mutebi II is the 36th Kabaka of Buganda, as mentioned in 10 African History Truths.
Fifty-Four Pictures Of Traditional African Clothing By Country
Fifty-Four Pictures Of Traditional African Clothing By Country
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Daudi Cwa II, Kabaka of Buganda
Kingdom of Buganda
People: Buganda
Year: 1911
Country: Buganda, Uganda, East Africa
16. Emma Bakayishonga, Royal of rwanda
Emma Bakayishongo was the daughter, and later the sister of the leader of Rwanda.
The Mushanana is traditional clothing of Rwanda and Burundi. It is a cloth wrapped around a man or woman’s body. See Burudian drummers wearing Mushanana in: The Fifty-Four Pictures Of Traditional African Clothing By Country.
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Emma Bakayishongo, Royal of Rwanda
Kingdom of Rwanda
Wearing: Mushanana
Year: 1949 (?)
Country: Kingdom of Rwanda, Rwanda, East Africa
© Rwanda Library / CC-BY-SA-3.0
15. Said Ali ben Said Omar, Sultan of Grande Comore
Said Ali ben Said Omar was the Sultan of Grande Comore, called Ngazidja in Swahili. He reigned 20 years from 1892 to 1912.
Said Ali ben Said Omar was the Sultan of Grande Comore during an unstable in history. He was also the last Sultan of Grande Comores.
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Said Ali ben Said Omar, Sultan of Grande Comore
Kingdom of Grande Comore
Year: pre 1916
Country: Ngazidja, Comoros, East Africa
7 Treasured Medieval and Ancient African Art History Objects Found *Across* The Continent of Africa
3 NORTH AFRICAN ROYALTY OUTFITS
14. Hassan II and Mohammed Vi, Kings of morocco
King Hassan II and his son, King Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco of today. King Hassan II reigned 38 years, from 1961 to 1999.
The Kingdom of Morocco is over one thousand years old! A lot has changed in the kingdom, today the kingdom of Morocco is a semi-constitutional monarchy.
These are 23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures
These are 23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures. Which ones do you recognize?
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Hassan II and Mohammed VI, Kings of Morocco
Kingdom of Morocco
Year: c. 1967-1968
Country: Morocco, North Africa
© Mohamed MARADJI (Mmaradji) / CC-BY-SA-4.0
13. Abd al-Qadir ibn Muhyi al-Din, Emir
Emir Abd al-Qadir ibn Muhyi al-Din was a religious and military leader from Algeria. Abd al-Qadir worked to unite his people, especially against invasions from France.
Algeria is home to beautiful ancient African houses that were built over 1,000 years ago! The houses are located in the UNESCO World Heritage Unesco Site M’zab Valley. Check them out in 23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures.
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Abd al-Qadir ibn Muhyi al-Din, Emir
Year: pre 1883
Origin: Algeria, North Africa
Country: Damascus, Ottoman Syria, West Asia
12. “La belle Fatma”, royal entertainer
La Belle Fatma was a royal entertainer in the 1800s. In this image she is wearing traditional clothes and jewelry.
In many parts of North Africa jewelry is an important art, especially for women. The Berber people have extraordinary traditional jewelry see a Berber fibula in 11 Photos of Africa: Historical Fashion Items & Trends.
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"La Belle Fatma", Royal Entertainer
Year: c. 1890
Country: North Africa
7 Treasured Medieval and Ancient African Art History Objects Found *Across* The Continent of Africa
6 WEST AFRICAN ROYALTY OUTFITS
11. Ndateh Yalla Mbooj, Lingeer of Waalo
Ndateh Yalla Mbooj was the last Lingeer of Waalo, part of the Kingdom of Jolof. The Queen of Waalo is called a Lingeer.
Ndateh Yalla Mbooj was powerful, she was the Lingeer for about 9 years, from 1846 to 1855.
Clothing in Senegal is known for its beauty and elegance. Have you seen a boubou? Take a look at traditional clothing from Senegal in Fifty-Four Pictures Of Traditional African Clothing By Country.
Fifty-Four Pictures Of Traditional African Clothing By Country
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Ndateh Yalla Mbooj, Lingeer of Waalo
Kingdom of Waalo
Year: 1853
Country: Senegal, West Africa
10. Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, Oba of benin
Ovonramwen Nogbaisi was the Oba of Benin for close to 10 years, from around 1888 to 1897. In the Kingdom of Benin the supreme ruler is called Oba.
The Kingdom of Benin is famous for artworks called Benin Bronzes. You can see a Benin Bronze plaque, that is more than 500 years old, in the article 7 Treasured Medieval and Ancient African Art History Objects Found *Across* The Continent of Africa.
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Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, Oba of Benin
Kingdom of Benin
Year: c. 1912
Country: Kingdom of Benin, Nigeria, West Africa
9. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Emir of Kano
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was the Emir of Kano for 6 years from 2014 to 2020.
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Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Emir of Kano
Emirate of Kano
Year: c. 2017
Country: Nigeria, West Africa
17 Impressive Buildings Out Of The Africa Architecture Scene
8. Life-guard of the Sultan of Bagirmi
The life-guard of the Mbang of Birgimi painted in 1913 by Heims. In the Kingdom of Birgimi the supreme ruler was called Mbang.
The Sultanate of Birgimi was founded in around 1480 A.D. Today, the language of Birgimi is still spoken by thousands of people in the country Chad.
Check out 19 African Life Paintings & Sketches by Colonialists to see more art from colonial African history.
17 Impressive Buildings Out Of The Africa Architecture Scene
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Royal Life-Guard of the Mbang Mai Buka Sultanate of Bagirmi Medium: Water-colour Artist: Ernst M. Heims Year: 1913 Country: Sultanate of Bagirmi, Chad, Central Africa Read Me!!23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures. Which Ones Do You Recognize?
7. Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II, asantehene 
Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II was the Asantehene, or King of the Ashanti for 39 years, from 1931 to 1970.
The Empire of Ashanti used to be powerful and rich in gold. Many Ashanti people used to wear sandals made out of gold. See a pair of Akan gold sandals in 10 African History Truths, or > click here <.
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Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II, Asantehene
Empire of Ashanti
People: Akan
Date: 31 January 1935
Country: Empire of Ashanti, Ghana, West Africa
6. Son of Abubakar Garbai, Shehu of bornu
Abubakar Garbai of Bornu was the Shehu of Bornu for 20 years, from 1902 to 1922. The Shehu Abubakar Garbai of Bornu founded the city of Yerwa, modern-day Maiduguri, it is the largest city of Borno State.
The Bornu Empire was founded over 700 years ago in around the year 1390. You can learn about African kingdoms if you read “A Brief History of Africa“.
17 Impressive Buildings Out Of The Africa Architecture Scene
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Son of Abubakar Garbai, Shehu of Bornu
Empire of Kanem-Bornu
Year: 1911
Country: Empire of Bornu, Nigeria, West Africa
5 SOUTHERN AFRICAN ROYALTY OUTFITS
5. Theresa Kachindamoto, Inkosi of Dedza
Theresa Kachindamoto is the Inkosi, or supreme chief, of the Dedza District of Malawi.
Chief Kachindamoto has been working against child marriages while promoting education for girls and boys. Theresa Kachindamoto is responsible for cancelling over 3,500 child marriages of small girls and boys.
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Theresa Kachindamoto, Inkosi of Dedza District of Dedza Date: 20 November 2018 Country: Malawi, Southern Africa Read Me!!23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures. Which Ones Do You Recognize?
4. Ndabuko kaMpande, Prince of the Zulu
Ndabuko kaMpande was a Zulu prince and the brother to Cetshwayo kaMpande who was the King of the Zulu.
South African traditional clothing is incredibly diverse. Take a look at a beautifully put together Xhosa women’s outfit in 11 Photos of Africa Historical Fashion Items & Trends.
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Ndabuko kaMpande, Prince of the Zulu
Kingdom of Zulu
People: Zulu
Year: c. 1880
Country: Kingdom of Zulu, South Africa, Southern Africa
3. Sobhuza II, Ngwenyama of Swaziland
Sobhuza II was the Ngwenyama, or King of Swaziland. He was king for 82 years! That is the longest reign in verifiable recorded history.
In 2018, the country of Swaziland changed its name to Eswatini.
People from the Kingdom of Eswatini have been making art for hundreds of years. 7 Treasured Medieval and Ancient African Art History Objects Found *Across* The Continent of Africa shows you an artwork that is a 200 year old headrest.
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Sobhuza II, Ngwenyama of Swaziland
Kingdom of Eswatini
People: Swazi
Year: 1945
Country: Eswatini, Southern Africa
© The National Archives UK / Open Government Licence version 1.0
2. Lozikeyi Dlodlo, Queen Regent of the Ndebele
Lozikeyi Dlodlo became Queen Regent of the Ndebele people when her husband disappeared.
Queen Lozikeyi Dlodlo was in charge of the Ndebele army during their war against Britain, which is called the Second Matabele War.
You can see South African Ndebele traditional houses in “Inside 9 African Traditional Houses”
Traditional African Clothing by Country (every single country in Africa)
Fifty-Four Pictures Of Traditional African Clothing By Country
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Lozikeyi Dlodlo, Queen Regent of the Ndebele
Kingdom of Ndebele
People: Ndebele
Date: 2 January 1910
Country: Kingdom of Ndebele, Zimbabwe, Southern Africa
1. Mukobela, Chief in namwala
Chief Mukobela of the Namwala District in modern-day Zambia.
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Notre dernier homme!
District of Namwala
Year: c. 1960
Country: Namwala District, Zambia, Southern Africa
© The National Archives UK / Open Government Licence version 1.0
Fifty-Four Pictures Of Traditional African Clothing By Country
Fifty-Four Pictures Of Traditional African Clothing By Country
So educative..I would love to know more about zulu