First, please forgive me if this isn't the right subreddit. I am fully aware that Africa is a vast continent with too many diverse cultures and traditions to list here. But my sister was asking around about the matter and I figured why not ask Reddit.

My sister works with child services in my state and is working with a foster family where two girls, ages 3 and 6, have been placed. In addition to their clothes each girl arrived with a strip of brightly colored cloth tied around their waists. The foster mom was wondering if it was a fashion choice or part of their culture. Unfortunately all we know at the moment is that they're from "Africa".

Google has failed us. I do know that in the area we have growing community of immigrants from Central African Republic, DR Congo, and Burundi.

Obviously this could be something the girls' mother did just for fun. But I thought I'd take a shot in the dark and see if anyone can help out.