John Boyega, Fashionista, Wows at London Premiere of ‘Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker’

British actor John Boyega attracted a lot of attention, most of it favorable, for skipping the usual tuxedo or Bond Street bespoke suit to the London premiere of Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker and instead honoring his Nigerian heritage by wearing traditional Nigerian clothing to the London premiere.  Boyega, who plays Finn in the final Star Wars trilogy (the finale of the ennealogy that began back in 1977, decades before he was born) and co-starred as Moses in Attack the Block with Jodie Whittaker (now the 13th Doctor on Dr. Who) was born in London, England, the son of Nigerian immigrants.

His blue and gold outfit is called an agbada.  The agbada originated among the Yoruba speaking people of Nigeria, but it is also worn in Benin and various western and northern African nations.  The agbada consists of four parts:  a large, free-flowing outer robe called an awosoke, an undervest,  the awotele, a pair of long trousers, or sokoto, and a hat called a fìla.   In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt wears a similar outfit.  George Harris who played Auror Shacklebolt also played Captain Katanga in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Daniel Musa praised Boyega for his fashion choice on Twitter because “representation matters.”  Boyega’s family accompanied him in color-coordinated traditional clothing.

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Susan Macdonald

Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions,  Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.