Tartan not a uniquely Scottish device

[Scott Gilmore]

As a descendent of Highland Scots, I recognize the nature of a tartan as a clan identifier as well as anyone.

I was giving this issue some thought recently while watching an interesting show on the Travel channel that included an encounter with southeast Asian Hmong tribes. What struck me was the beauty of the head dresses worn by Hmong women - and specifically the weave of the cloth - the tartan.

What I don't know about Hmong tribal wear would fill vast volumes, but it would appear from what I saw that the weave pattern of the cloth is of significance, just as has evolved in cloth woven by Scottish peoples.

This image doesn't really apply to this discussion, but I couldn't help including it here. Somehow, the fact that the head dress isn't strictly speaking "tartan" is irrelevant. What a magnificent picture.


The exaggerated head dress in this image struck me as particularly impressive, though yet again I admit it doesn't really qualify as a "tartan" for purposes of this discussion. At some level though the traditional dress of these people is, in my opinion, particularly appropriate to this sub-forum.

It isn't just pride or heritage that produced such garments - tartan or not. Tradition must be recognized as playing a part. Scots are NOT the only people on this planet with long and strong tribal ethnicity with all the pomp such heritage implies. To me this is pleasing. I like being one of many in this instance, rather than exclusive. I hope this heart felt expression is understood.

Sorry about the rambling. The images linked above triggered strong emotion.

Regards,
Scott Gilmore