Who Owns the Kilt - My Personal Refelction

[Riverkilt]

Found if Itype up what I wanna say on Word and quickly post it the new system will acceptit. We’ll see. It does run words together though but itsreadable.
Myobservation distills to what I’ve learned living in “Indian Country,”
at least inNavajo and Hopi country, for the last eleven years.
I’ve neverheard of Native American people disowning their relatives who move away fromtheir homeland/reservation. Those thatmove away for whatever reason are not considered somehow “less than Indian”just because they move away.
Evengenerations of Indians who have not lived in their homeland/reservation formany many years are still considered members of the tribe. They are not criticized for wearing theirtribes traditional garb. In fact, theyare encouraged to do so.
And Indianpeople celebrate their heritage with dancing, traditional food, traditionaldress, and their Native tongue at Pow Wows. Those Pow Wows have much in common with Highland Games.
Many PowWows are held “off rez”
I have oftenwished that my relatives back in Scotland had the same appreciation for ourkinship that Native American peoples have for the kinship of their relatives.
Blood – not geographyI the key.

[Jock Scot]

Outside of the lineage, what Forrester said.

I also find it interesting that while the Scots are very protective of the kilt, few (from my readings here) seem to actually wear them themselves today.

In an attempt to shed some light on the above let me explain.

I think many are under the impression that the kilt was general attire for the Scots------it never was and still is not. However there is a fairly common view here in Scotland, that probably more kilts are being worn in Scotland than perhaps 50 years ago.

The kilt is not always a practical option for general day-wear.

Cheap kilts, until recently, have never been an option available so it is hardly surprising that the kilt only puts in an appearance at special occasions.

Why shouldn't the Scots be proud, even protective, of their national attire. It is a perfectly natural desire for some, I would suggest.

[Mickey]

In an attempt to shed some light on the above let me explain.

I think many are under the impression that the kilt was general attire for the Scots------it never was and still is not. However there is a fairly common view here in Scotland, that probably more kilts are being worn in Scotland than perhaps 50 years ago.

The kilt is not always a practical option for general day-wear.

Cheap kilts, until recently, have never been an option available so it is hardly surprising that the kilt only puts in an appearance at special occasions.

Why shouldn't the Scots be proud, even protective, of their national attire. It is a perfectly natural desire.

I fully understand, Jock, I really do. I just find that protective nature very interesting. Simply an observation, sir

[Jock Scot]

I fully understand, Jock, I really do. I just find that protective nature very interesting. Simply an observation, sir

From your posts of the past I know you understand, but others here are not so understanding. May I ask you a very general question? OK, I will ask it and hope for the best!

I am not asking this question to "snipe" at anyone, but I find this interest in the "national attire question" from those that don't have a national attire(its true, so please don't take offence) as a very interesting point too.

So my question is this. If, the USA, Canada, whoever, had a national dress of obvious historical aspects, would their population be be more understanding of some Scots' point of view on this point? I don't know, but I think they might?

[Bugbear]

One never knows what may happen in the future, but I don't plan to resume wearing the traditional, Highland kilt. That is what my conscience tells me after trying to see things from the Scots' point of view. It's also not my place to tell others what to do in regard to wearing the traditional kilt.

[McElmurry]

This is a poor example but the best I could think of. Let us consider a regional adornment that has some meaning in parts of the USA, the silver belt buckle. Growing up in the intermountain west and working on farms during college I would feel comfortable wearing western boots, a tooled belt, and a western hat. But I would never wear a silver belt buckle resembling those won at a rodeo because I haven’t earned it and I would feel like a poser. Now if I went to a part of the USA where such buckles are common I could dress to fit in but my lack of leathery skin and calluses would probably give me away and my horse riding skills, or lack thereof, would certainly give me away. I would quickly be outed as a city slicker and treated accordingly.

Now if I posted a photo of myself wearing white tube socks, sandals, madras shorts, a muscle shirt, a western hat and a dinner plate sized silver belt buckle on a rodeo forum and asked for a critique of my appearance I seriously doubt the responses would be as kind as those most often expressed by the Scottish gentlemen of this site who patiently attempt to redirect the most egregious fashion misadventures of our members who seek their advice.

[Jock Scot]

Singlemalt.

I did not start the "possessive" train of thought, although I have pursued it in the general need for understanding and I find the replies quite interesting and confirms that there is a genuine willingness to try to form "an understanding" of the Scots point of view from those who have answered my question and is helpful in my quest for my own understanding of those from outwith Scotland. Others too, may have been enlightened, from both sides of the Atlantic.

[Big Mikey]

Perhaps this nth version of a continuing disagreement could be best ended as follows:

"Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery."

[kilted scholar]

Earlier today I composed a reply to this thread, and clicked the appropriate button, whereupon the reply disappeared into cyberspace, possibly due to the teething problems connected with the recent changes.

In retrospect, I doubt whether readers of the thread could count themselves deprived of anything significant!

[opositive]

Perhaps this nth version of a continuing disagreement could be best ended as follows:

"Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery."

i am adopted-so i can be whomever i want. i am american-so i can do whatever i want. i choose to emulate certain aspects of highlands culture, such as kilting, because i like them. whenever someone imitates as a "want to" rather than a "have to," it demonstrates appreciation and respect.