Chitenge

Chitenge is Zambia's regional name for a printed cotton tradition shared widely across the continent — known as kitenge in Kenya and Tanzania, and chitenje in Malawi. The underlying wax-resist technique traces back to Javanese batik; West African soldiers serving in Indonesia in the 19th century are credited with bringing the cloth back to Africa, and manufacturers in Manchester, England later industrialized wax printing specifically for African markets. It is not a distinct Zambian weaving tradition, but a local name and identity built around a widely shared printed-cloth culture.

The chitenge is a core part of traditional dress for Bemba women in Zambia, including at weddings, and carries social expectations — a woman is expected to wear one in the presence of her in-laws out of respect. It is worn daily as a wrap skirt, head covering, and baby sling, used as a rain cover, and required wear at funerals. Men also wear it, typically draped over one shoulder. A synthetic nylon or polyester variant is known locally as "telela" ("slippery").

Chitenge remains widely worn and sold in Zambia today, and has expanded into local and international high fashion, including runway presentations of chitenge-based designs.