boubou

American  

[boo-boo] / ˈbu bu /

Or bubu

noun

1. a long, loose-fitting, brightly colored garment worn in parts of Africa.

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boubou British  

/ ˈbuːbuː /

noun

1. a long flowing garment worn by men and women in Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and some other parts of Africa

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Etymology

Origin of boubou

First recorded in 1960–65; from French, from Malinke bubu

Example Sentences

"They suspect them of being in league with the Malian army, which is why there were these reprisals," added the other man, dressed in a green boubou robe and traditional turban.

From Barron's • Nov. 10, 2025

His body was wrapped in a white boubou, and a turban hid his entire face, except for a pair of large, dark sunglasses.

From Washington Post • Dec. 16, 2022

Near the airport parking lot, Salahi stood in a light-blue boubou, the traditional Mauritanian robe, with a turban to obscure his identity.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 15, 2019

“What is fundamental here is he will live in a foreign country as of now,” said Barrow, visibly tired and wearing a powder blue traditional West African boubou robe and white leather slip-on shoes.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 21, 2017

Her friend brought the ends of her boubou together and tucked them in, between her stretched-out legs.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie