Celebrating Black History Month

Our costume for Queen Nzinga
Black History Month is an important season here in the costume world, with lots of school activities, living history demonstrations, and even some fancy-dress galas. Historical costuming is a wonderful way to learn and celebrate history, and we’re always thrilled to help out with DIY costume ideas and resources. If you’re still in need of an outfit, here’s a list of all our costumes connected to Africa and the African diaspora:
The History of Africa
- Amina of Zaria – Nigerian warrior queen of legend
- Hatshepsut – female king of ancient Egypt
- Hypatia – Greco-Egyptian mathematician in Alexandria
- Miriam Makeba – South African musician and civil rights activist
- Nzinga – great 17th century queen of Angola
- The Queen of Sheba – claimed by both Ethiopia and Yemen
- Tin Hinan – legendary matriarch of the Tuareg
- Zenobia – Syrian queen who conquered Egypt
The African Diaspora
- Bessie Coleman – first black female pilot
- Josephine Baker – superstar and spy for the French Resistance
- Madam CJ Walker – first American woman to become a self-made millionaire
- Phillis Wheatley – first published African American poet
- Sojourner Truth – abolitionist and suffragist
Goddesses
- Asase Yaa – Asante earth goddess
- Isis – Egyptian goddess of…everything
- Lasiren – Haitian sea goddess connected to the African Mami Wata

Our costume for Madam Walker


