Nigeria: Headwraps banned in church

Picture: Make up and gele by Nana Abu

Picture: news2.onlinenigeria.com

Picture: Nollywoodduncis

An elaborate gele wrap - ayananamiahs.com

ENUGU, NIGERIA - St Theresa's Cathedral Church in Enugu has stated that tall, colourful geles should not be worn in church as they are a potential security risk according to UK based newspaper, the Guardian. 

Thenewspaper reports that the  church has banned its congregation from wearing large headwraps, called geles, saying they form a "barricade" when women sit side-by-side and are a potential security risk amid attacks from militant Islamist groups.

Furhtermore, from next month, church members who wear large geles will have them confiscated, church leaders have warned.
"In view of the present security challenges the church has urged women to stop coming to Sunday service with big headgears and bags to enable security men to know when a bomb will be smuggled into the church," Reverend Father Uche Obodoechina said, adding that the headwraps made it difficult to identify people. 

The crackdown on geles is one of a series of increasing security measures after Nigeria endured a spate of bomb attacks on churches and mosques from militant Islamist group Boko Haram. This year it has targeted at least six churches in northern and central Nigeria, prompting fears it is trying to ignite a sectarian war among Nigeria's evenly split Muslims and Christians. It has never struck a southern Nigerian state.
A military clampdown in recent months has curbed attacks, but church authorities said they were taking no chances.

Most people do not know how important the ‘gele’ is to Nigerian women. The ‘gele’ is not just a piece of stiff jacquard wrapped round the head. The 'gele' is a piece of cloth which could anything from printed cotton to stiff jacquard. It is wrapped round the head and worn by most African women especially West Africans. But it is Nigerians who have made the head wrap into an art. 

Women from all over the world have always marvelled at the intricate shapes, designs, colours and styles of the 'gele'. Traditionally, the 'gele' is an essential part of a lady's costume, it is like an elegant hat that completes a dress. So, leaving home without a 'gele', is like the Queen of England attending a special event without her hat. ‘Geles’ are worn for all occasions including special events such as weddings, for church and for casual outings. Most churches require women to wear the ‘gele’ and elderly and married woman must wear one whenever they are out in public. 

The origin of the 'gele' goes way back in time. It was necessary to protect the head from the sun's rays which can be quite powerful in Africa. So, women covered their heads to avoid heat stroke. As time went on, the simple head coverings become part of the female wear and got more elaborate. Local sources say that other churches plan to follow in the footsteps of the Catholic Church and ban ‘gele’. How will Nigerian women cope without this age long tradition of wearing ‘geles’; for special occasion especially to church?

5 Other things that could be done to secure churches:

• Ban cars from parking on church premises and around the church;
• Screen people before they enter the church;
• Carry out a body search of worshippers before they enter the church premises;
• Ban backpacks and large bags carried especially by women;
• Employ heavily armed security personnel at the gates of each church.