The Gabi that Girma wore
The Gabi that Girma wore
Picture Book / Ethiopia / Ages 4-8
Little, Brown and Company
2024
Unpaged
Text in English with some Amharic words. Follows how a Gabi is made in Ethiopia from seed to harvest, to weaving to shop, to gift for Girma.
This enchanting picture book delves into the cultural and practical significance of the “Gabi,” a traditional Ethiopian garment, showcasing its role in everyday life and culture. Illustrated by Netsanet Tesfay, the book vibrantly captures Ethiopian culture, blending traditional elements with a modern flair. The illustrations perfectly complement the story’s themes and characters.
The journey of the “Gabi” from cotton seed to garment is beautifully depicted, with Tesfay’s illustrations seamlessly narrating alongside the text. Traditional tools are ingeniously incorporated as decorative elements, with the “Enzirt” drop spindle cleverly woven into the book’s inside cover design, enhancing the visual storytelling. Earthy tones are prevalent throughout, evoking the agricultural and cultural roots of the narrative, harmonizing with the story’s journey from cotton farming to “Gabi” creation.
The language employed in The Gabi that Girma Wore is straightforward, suitable for audiences of all ages. The book introduces readers to Ethiopian culture, focusing on the traditional crafting and use of the Gabi, as well as the significance the “Gabi” holds beyond a garment, symbolizing respect for elders and manifesting their status within the community. Rhyming sentences enrich the reading experience, making it particularly engaging for read-aloud sessions. The language strikes a balance between being entertaining and informative, effectively introducing cultural insights.
Highly recommended
Aleme Tadesse M.A.
Bet’eseb African Heritage Art Center
Published in Africa Access Review (November 1, 2024)
Copyright 2024 Africa Access
-Students learned the name of the gabi cloth and how it is made.
-They liked that you can use the gabi like a blanket, that they showed how to make a gabi, and that the book had rhymes.
– They enjoyed that you can use a gabi for many different things like going to church, traveling, or going to a celebration.
Elementary Teacher, Washington, DC
-We learned about the gabi, a traditional Ethiopian garment. We also learned how the gabi is made, from growing the cotton to having the finished garment at a store.
-The most important thing we learned: Seeing the entire process of making clothing, and how important each step is, and each person is, along the way. That really gave the children something to think about when it comes to their own clothing and things they enjoy.
-I also enjoyed the pronunciation and definition guide at the end of the book. That way I could do my best at pronouncing Amharic words.
-The children enjoyed seeing the different ways a gabi is used in Ethiopia: at gatherings, coffee ceremonies, religious events, and even just hanging with the family under the gabi.
Aquinas Montessori School, Virginia
As an educator in a very diverse school, I appreciated this book and its beautiful illustrations. After reading the students were about to discuss cultural representation in the text by comparing and contrasting their own experiences with elements of the story
As I made my regular visit to the library with mt kids, our children’s librarian ran to me with excitement and showed me this book. I has such a wide smile, kept looking through it there and of course immediately checked out and took it home. We enjoyed reading and I shared with fellow habesha parents to look in their libraries as well. Net’s illustration in this book is absolutely beautiful! It made me chuckle as I read the book sipping on my coffee and transported me to shiro meda Well done!
The book Gabi is a beautiful introduction to one of Ethiopia’s most cherished traditional blankets. It takes the reader on a journey to learn what a gabi is, how it is made, and the cultural meaning it carries. The author explains the weaving process in a way that is easy to understand and connects it to the people who wear and treasure it.
What I love most about this book is that it is not just about a blanket—it is about heritage, identity, and the value of handmade work passed down through generations. The descriptions make you appreciate the skill and patience of the weavers, while the cultural details remind us how important the gabi is in daily life, celebrations, and family traditions.
This book is perfect for children and adults who want to learn more about Ethiopian culture. It is educational, meaningful, and heartwarming. I highly recommend it to families, teachers, and anyone who enjoys learning about the beauty of traditions.
My daughter and I were thrilled to discover “The Gabi That Girma Wore” at our local library! We thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and my five-year-old was fascinated to learn about the process of making gabi—a blanket she sometimes uses for naps. I particularly appreciated the book’s rich details and beautiful illustrations, and how the story conveyed the gabi-making process with deep respect for the tradition, culture, and sustainable clothing production involved. It’s a wonderful book that both educates and honors a beautiful tradition.
My daughter and I were thrilled to discover “The Gabi That Girma Wore” at our local library! We thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and my five-year-old was fascinated to learn about the process of making gabi—a blanket she sometimes uses for naps. I particularly appreciated the book’s rich details and beautiful illustrations, and how the story conveyed the gabi-making process with deep respect for the tradition, culture, and sustainable clothing production involved. It’s a wonderful book that both educates and honors a beautiful tradition.
This is a beautiful book that explains the Gabi, a traditional Ethiopian cloth. It also talked about how cloth is made from seed to cloth, which was very informative. The illustrations are bright, colorful and beautiful and the Gabi is shown to be made into cloth, scarves, and blanket. There are also signs written in Ethiopian. My students and I enjoyed reading this for Economic Geography, Cultural and Historical units.