In the past, the Mijikenda's hando dress was more than just clothing; it was a symbol of cultural identity worn during sacred ceremonies, community gatherings and rituals.
Elders, spiritual leaders, and traditional healers donned it during ancestral veneration rites, while women wrapped it as a dress and men wore it as a shawl or waist garment.
With the rise of Western fashion trends and the availability of factory-made fabrics, the hando's everyday use declined.
Young people increasingly favoured modern attire over traditional wear, putting this indigenous craft at risk of disappearing.
