Kaazi Unveils Abɛi: A Football Jersey Inspired by African Fabric and Cowrie Shells
Photo Credit : Gabriele Carrà/ Matteo Banfi
Kaazi, the Ghanaian sports lifestyle brand, has partnered with Icarus FC to launch Abɛi a football jersey as rich in cultural narrative as it is in style. Meaning "Butterfly" in Ga (a Ghanaian language predominantly spoken in Accra), this kit reimagines football apparel as cultural canvas - where sportswear becomes a medium for storytelling, carrying heritage from the pitch into daily life.
Embodying Icarus FC's philosophy "If you wouldn't wear it off the pitch, you shouldn't wear it on it". Abɛi seamlessly blends streetwear aesthetics with athletic performance. Its vibrant orange colour, showcases hand-drawn cowrie shells and Malian Bògòlanfini mud cloth motifs - equally suited for matchday and everyday wear. A statement piece for football lovers and design-conscious wearers.
Designed for Legacy, Worn for Life
Created through the collaboration of Kaazi founder Nana Yaw Oppong-Mensah and Icarus FC, Abɛi serves as a wearable homage to Africa's textile heritage.
"African fabrics are living narratives," explains Oppong-Mensah. "Much like a butterfly's metamorphosis, this design represents transformation, self discovery, and the enduring power of culture."
Symbols That Speak
Cowrie Shells: Ancient emblems of protection and prosperity, deeply rooted in trade and spiritual practices across the African continent.
Iguana's Elbow (Mud Cloth Motif): A striking geometric pattern from Mali that embodies ancestral wisdom and enduring strength.
The jersey's reverse features four strategically placed cowries flanking the player number, a deliberate fusion of Ifá divination's sacred numerology with football's iconic tradition of numbered kits.
A Culturally Charged Drop
Only 256 meticulously crafted jerseys will be produced, corresponding to the 256 sacred Odu of Ifá divination. Each piece offers personalisation options, allowing wearers to intertwine their individual identity with these profound cultural symbols.
Pre-orders are now available exclusively through Icarus FC via Kaazi Club Shop
Photo Credit : Gabriele Carrà/ Matteo Banfi
About Kaazi
A Ghanaian brand fusing sport and heritage, Kaazi crafts apparel that honours the past while defining the future.