Evolution of Buganda traditional Gomesi
Abstract
Gomesi is the official dress for women in Buganda. A woman not dressed in a Gomesi at
social function or event was not considered decently dressed. It was colorful floor-length
dress. The study took place in Kiyembe shopping Centre, Kiyembe lane in Kampala central
Division, Kampala district. The study expected to determine the evolution or the stages that
the Buganda traditional Gomesi went through. Therefore the results obtained from the study
were to help the young generation in the field of fashion with knowledge about the evolution
in the Buganda traditional Gomesi. Questionnaire, observation and interview methods were
used, where by 20 questionnaires were distributed to different respondents who participated
in the study by answering questions which were generated by the researcher. During
interview, a series of questions were set to why people prefer wearing imported clothes to
wearing the Gomesi, and a total of 5 respondents were involved in the study. Observation
method the researcher considered observing materials used to sew the Gomesi that were sold
in Kiyembe. The findings revealed that the Gomesi had gone through 4 stages that is the first
was the bark-cloth Gomesi, the cotton Gomesi of the 1960s, the khadi Gomesi of 1970s and
the kikooyi Gomesi. The study also revealed that the Gomesi also changed on terms of
decorative techniques, materials among others. In conclusion, the researcher noticed that, the
Gomesi has gone through 4 stages and fabric transformation as well as design or style
transformation. Chapter one illustrates the introduction, background of the study, statement
problem, research objectives, research questions, scope of the study, purpose of the study,
significance. Chapter two shows the literature review, chapter three illustrates methodology
of the study, chapter four shows findings, and chapter fives shows recommend