Loincloth Uproar

[chacbalam]

I don't know if a loincloth counts as a MUG, but I thout that I would post this link anyway. It seems that people get hasseled for wearing traditional dress where ever you go.

Loincloth

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

That's pretty harsh, but a similar response would probably happen here if a native american went to the mall in a loincloth and mocassins. I think that here they would just be asked to leave. Not put in jail, no bond, and kept there until a trial is scheduled!

[Manu]

Now days people get hassled by anything, especially the human body. And I thought we were evolving, not devolving...

[Blu (Ontario)]

Now days people get hassled by anything, especially the human body. And I thought we were evolving, not devolving...

So now you know! ;)

[MacMullen]

I'd be a bit shocked, or, at least, amused, to see someone walking around in a loin cloth. Was it open in the back?

That said, I do think that this is an ominous statement by officials:

"Dressing of that nature is now reserved for special traditional and cultural occasions, not everywhere."

That's the opinion a lot of people have re:kilts, and the attitude Warmack's principal had in the recent kilt-at-the-prom controversy.

[GlassMan]

Isn't it just absolutely wonderful that Western Civilization has been able to successfully export its innate fear of the human body to other cultures? ??:

Personally, I'd never wear a loin cloth in public but mainly so that I didn't cause large numbers of people to vomit uncontrollably. But that is some serious over-reaction.

[James]

In the circumstances one can understand the reaction: for many emergent countries are trying very hard to distance themselves from any suggestion of being primitive. The thinking being that they must present a staid western face to the world, if they are to be accepted as a part of the international community.

An example of this would be the smart suited African leaders at conferences and on their public appearances: compare this with the oft casual appearance/attire of people like Blair and Bush. To understand this further, here in Britain Blair is still seen as a figure of fun as a consequence of appearing in a photo shoot in over tight jeans.

Exactly the same was seen in Scotland, with many claiming to be 'North British' and certainly not wishing to be associated with the savage highlanders and their eccentric garb. Even in my life time, apart from specific organisations and events: it was held that highland dress should not be worn south of the highland line.

In the end it is the established societies, that have a certain self confidence in themselves as a society which can accept the different and eccentric in their midst: rather than seeing it as a threat.

James

[macwilkin]

To add to James's post, this also might have something to do with the current situation in Zimbabwe, which has experienced political, social and economic turmoil, plus international isolation. Zimbabwe already has plenty of "bad press", so the officials may see this as something else to add to that.

Cheers,

Todd

[Blu (Ontario)]

In the circumstances one can understand the reaction: for many emergent countries are trying very hard to distance themselves from any suggestion of being primitive...

I think this is close to the truth plus the fact that Zimbabwe culture, politics, and law are also strongly influenced by a mix of traditional and imported religious doctrine which may be less tolerant of such things. Understanding their culture is key to understanding this story. Western cultures by comparrison are pretty relaxed. I've seen bikinis worn on beaches and miniskirts worn in shopping malls that expose more skin that a loincloth. I also note that women in the Canadian province of Ontario now have the legal right to bear their breasts in public. I've not seen it done but they do have that right. Who knows... maybe we'll see a Loincloth Freedom Forum one of these days!


blu

[Southern Breeze]

I've got a picture of Braveheart wearing a Tartan Loincloth stuck in my head.....