The khanga (or kanga) or Leso (Kenya) is a piece of printed rectangular colourful cotton fabric worn in East Africa. It is similar to the Kitenge but thinner and lighter.
The design of the central part(mji) of the khanga differs from the borders (pindo) that surround it. The fabric is usually 1.5 m by 1 m.
The khanga fabric is usually sold in pairs.
The earliest prints or patterns of the khanga were small dots or speckles, which look like the feathers of the guinea fowl called “kanga” in Swahili. This is where the name originated from.
Modern designs of the khanga have a Swahili proverb or riddle written on the decorative bottom border of the fabric. This is called “jina” which means “name”. This is the name by which each particular khanga design is recognised, making it easier to identify or order.
