How to Express Costume in Swahili Accurately Today in 2025 & More

Costume in Swahili

Like ‘outfit’, ‘costume’ is not a concept often encountered in Kiswahili, so to experess the concept you would have to explain it.

For instance, you might use the phrase mavazi maalum which means ‘special clothing’ and then describe what the purpose of the special clothing is or what makes it special.

In Swahili, the word commonly used for “costume” is vazi (plural: mavazi), which generally means a garment or clothing.

When referring to costumes specifically—like those worn for cultural events, performances, or national dress—the phrase mavazi maalum (“special clothing”) is often used.

Here’s a breakdown for costume in Swahili:

Vazi – a piece of clothing or garment.
Mavazi – clothing in general, or multiple garments.
Mavazi maalum – clothing for special occasions, which is closest to “costume.”

Examples of costume in Swahili:

“Vazi la taifa” = national costume.
“Mavazi ya tamasha” = festival or performance costume.
“Nguo ya kuogelea” = swimming costume.

Essentially, in Swahili, when you say “costume,” it usually implies clothing that is not everyday wear, often for cultural, theatrical, or ceremonial purposes.

Attire in Swahili

The Swahili word for attire is mavazi, i.e., the way someone is dressed.

Dress Code in Swahili

Dress code in Swahili is kanuni ya mavazi.

The Swahili word kanuni translates to ‘rule, regulation, doctrine, or norm’.

If there is more than one rule or regulation governing how one dresses, or you are talking about more than one dress code, this phrase can be made plural and then becomes kanuni za mavazi.

READ ALSO: Semi Formal Dress for Women

Style in Swahili/Style in Kiswahili

Style in Swahili is mtindo, as in what style of dress do you want to make out of this fabric?

If you would like to say that someone has style, you would have to say that they dress well, i.e., so-and-so anavaa vizuri.

Swahili Fashion Week Photos (Swahili Dresses)

Swahili Fashion Week MC: Abby Plaatjes

dress in Kiswahili is called nguo — by Manju Msitu

Swahili Style Dress by Sonu Sharma — by Sonu Sharma

Unique in Swahili

The Swahili word for unique is kipekee.

Since kipekee is an adjective, it might have to be altered a bit depending on what it is describing. Generally, though, if you would like to say ‘a unique thing’ in Swahili, you simply say kitu cha kipekee.

George Farha Cafe

George Farha Cafe is a University College London (UCL) Students’ Union café.

It opens from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m to 6 p.m., and serves everyone not just those affiliated to UCL.

Note that George Farha Café does not open on weekends.

Photo Credits: Maison Udjuwa, U-Modo, Yoair Blog, Fumba Town Zanzibar, RobinBatista.com, Dreamtime

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