Buibui fashion

A buibui is the traditional, black, full-length cloak worn by muslim women outside the home here in Zanzibar. It is always worn with a hijab (head scarf) with or without a ninja (a covering for the face with only a slit for the eyes - ninja style). One might think this would stifle creative expression, however I have seen many women rise to the challenge. One of the easiest ways to add flair and express your personality is elaborate beading or embroidery along the fringe of the hijab and wrists of the buibui. Many women, particularly younger women, will let the colorful fringes of their indoor hijab hang out or won't zip the buibui all the way allowing their brightly colored indoor dresses peak through. Even with a ninja, the eyes can be used as a canvas. I saw a woman who had precisely matched her immaculately applied turquoise eyeshadow to the turquoise beading on the fringe of her hijab and the wrists of her buibui. She looked gorgeous.