The Mumuye Lantang clothing

INTRODUCING THE LANTANG CLOTHING OF THE MUMUYE PEOPLE

By Haruna Yakubu Tolenyashong

Joel Gilenya pictured here in the Mumuye attire he modernized. 

This particular form of clothing being launched  Saturday 14th April, 2012 at the palace of the chief of Zing is modern fabric, designed and developed artistically from an original type of textile “Latang” that is unique to the Mumuye people and dates back over a couple centuries.
The original fabric of “Latang” is made of wool from a specific perennial cotton shrub (Gossipium Spp) specie, that is planted around the house. The wool's extraction, ginning, yarn spinning, dieing and weaving as a process is entirely done by Mumuye individuals that learned the trade either from their forbearers or neighbors within the tribe.
The art of “Latang” weaving was mostly found among Mumuye clans of the present day Zing Local Government Area who traded it to others within the tribe as well as neighboring tribes within the region.
To the Mumuye man, historically, the “Latang” was and still is a multipurpose form of clothing. 

It was a general burial clothing for the deceased of both high and low caliber in the society.

It was also sometimes worn as loin cloth by both men and women.

 Men wrapped it around themselves when going into battle as symbolic armour as well as a ready burial material to be layed to rest with when they fall in battle. 

It was indeed universally an elite burial clothing among all clans of the Mumuye people.
Being a priced material, it was a handy item of trade by barter for other good. Some kept it in store to be readily sold or exchanged when need arose.

People used it to pay bride price. 

Some used it as talisman with spiritual purposes.
The “Latang” fabric therefore is a revered piece of artistry that is a symbol of pride that rallies the Mumuye people’s patriotic farvour.