This type of cloth seems to be used by women as a wrap-around skirt, but also sometimes as a head covering. However, very similar cloths are described elsewhere as men’s wrap-around kilts used during the yake dance. What and if there is a difference is not clear, and may depend on the colour of the ground cloth and the quantity of embroidery employed.
See also the TRC Needles entry on Wodaabe embroidery.
Sources:
- BOVIN, Mette (2001). Nomads who Cultivate Beauty: Wodaabe dances and Visual Arts in Niger, Uppsala: Nordic Africa Institute, p. 18.
- https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/women-artisans-in-niger/updates/?subid=33357 (retrieved 30th March 2016).
- http://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.nl/2014/02/wodaabe-mbororo-people-nomadic-fulani.html (retrieved 30th March 2016).
British Museum online catalogue (retrieved 8th June 2016).
GVE