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

[Southern Breeze]

Speaking of tribal tartans, have you seen this thread?
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ighlight=masai

Great post and pics, I enjoy articles about other cultures.

[Scott Gilmore]

... have you seen this thread?

Now I have, and I understand the relevance. Thanks.

Regards,
Scott Gilmore

[O'Neille]

Scott, very nice and informative piece. That's what I like about the board. Part BBC, part PBS, Part National Geographic and we can all contribute and make something that is truly useful that really interests us. Thanks, O'Neille

[macwilkin]

http://www.albanach.org/other_tartans.htm

Happy reading!

Todd

[Planopiper]

It would be pretty difficult to weave cloth with more than one color and not come up with something like tartan eventually. If you look a little bit you'll see it nearly everywhere.

[GlassMan]

Actually there is strong archeological evidence of a migration of individuals who most have called Celtic by the nature of their associated items and art styles who migrated out of Europe, across the steppes of Russia and wound up being unearthed in what is now Western China! Among the items that they brought with them were garments woven in tartan patterns during the iron age.

And before anyone jumps to the wrong conclusion, I am not claiming that there was any kind of official tartan system at that time. But it is very well established that the idea of weaving cloth in multiple colors in what we now call a tartan pattern was common among the Continental Celts as far back as the Iron Age. The tartan wool excavated with these tall, european settlers in China is immediately recognizable to modern eyes as a tartan. They also had in their possession items of obvious chinese manufacture so they also traded with their new neighbors. So it is not surprising to see items of tartan pattern in some East Asian traditional cultures consider that some Celts made that long journey over 2000 years ago.

[pdcorlis]

Many thanks to Scott, Cajunscot, and Matt... is this a great place or what?