Kilts in India

[cessna152towser]

Thanks for posting; the first two pics. serve to confirm that in many cultures men's traditional garments are unbifurcated and the bottom two that Scottish kilts are known and understood worldwide. In my view though the knee length tartan in the second picture would look better with a belt.

[MacMullen]

I agree on the belt, both for aesthetics and practicality. My friend showed me how to wear a lungi, but when I've worn it, I haven't felt very secure in it, basically because it's fastened as you would a towel. The alternate method is to grab the fabric on either side of the hip, pull the two pieces together, and then tie them.

I think the Highlanders would have had the most comfortable uniform in India. A lot of the other British uniforms they had on display were wool pants and wool jackets. Southern India in the summer is very hot, and even during the rainy season, it gets pretty warm, plus, it's very humid. One wool uniform was topped with a pith helmet, which I'm sure made it easier to wear the hot, woolen uniform.

[Rex_Tremende]

I bet no one asks them, "Do you wear your lungi like a true Scotsman?"

:rolleyes:

[Tattoo Bradley]

I bet no one asks them, "Do you wear your lungi like a true Scotsman?"

:rolleyes:

Or rather "Do you wear your lungi like a true Indian "

[herminator]

On of the influences that led me to kilting was living in Burma for three years and wearing longyis at home for years before I made my first kilt!

[sav]

Thanks for posting this!! My family originates from a village not but 25 miles away from Chennai...Those members who have known me for a while know that I have connections to the Highland Regiments that were stationed in the area, as well...Thanks again! Also, if anyone wants any more info re: lungis or the highlanders stationed in South India, let me know...

[gilmore]

I agree on the belt, both for aesthetics and practicality. My friend showed me how to wear a lungi, but when I've worn it, I haven't felt very secure in it, basically because it's fastened as you would a towel. The alternate method is to grab the fabric on either side of the hip, pull the two pieces together, and then tie them.

The way I learned to tie a lungi was quite secure. You wrap it around you as tight as you want, right under left. You pull out a portion of the top hem that is at your right side with your left hand through your right fist (like a magician doing the pulling scarves out of his hand trick), get enough to tie into a knot, then tie it to the loose left end of the cloth, tight against your body. You then roll the top of the cloth down with the knot inside next to you body. Maybe they do things differently in northern India.

[MacMullen]

I'm sure you're right. I'm no expert on wearing a lungi. I'll have to try that method. Thanks!

[macwilkin]

Sav, I have larger versions of the kilt pics, if you're interested. Were the Highlanders British soldiers, or were they from one of the colonies? There wasn't much info at the museum as to which army units were there. Since I've been home, the only reference I can find to the Cameroon Highlanders was to the Canadian Cameroon Highlanders. Is that the same unit?

That would be the Cameron (79th) Highlanders, not the "Cameroon" Highlanders. Cameroon is a country in Africa and was at one time, a colony of Germany (Kameroon) that was taken by the British during the First World War.

The other kilt appears to be Mackenzie tartan, making it a kilt of the Seaforth Highlanders.

And to my knowledge, no Canadian forces served in India -- the first time the Canadians went "overseas" was in the South African (Boer) War.

Regards,

Todd

[MacMullen]

That would be the Cameron (79th) Highlanders, not the "Cameroon" Highlanders. Cameroon is a country in Africa and was at one time, a colony of Germany (Kameroon) that was taken by the British during the First World War.

Like I said, all that I know is what was on the card by the kilt, which said, "Cameroon" which I thought was odd, which is why I asked.

Now that I know that, here's what I found: http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/079QOCH.htm