MY DRESS MY CHOICE
Sources Clothing_in_Africa
history_of_clothing_and_textiles
Freedom : The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
In my own opinion freedom is still an elusive thing. We say we are free to do say or act as we please and it is our right to do so. Yet when you pick a side or decide to do something there is always someone ,something or reasoning that holds you back and doesn't let you do as you please.
Naturally, who you love,how you live ,what religion you are, what you choose to wear or how you choose to do your hair or look in general should be entirely up to you. You should be able to do so without worrying for your own safety.
To be honest the issue of how a person dresses is such an irrelevant topic because it should be a norm like what you choose to eat. To still hear of cases where women get shamed and stripped or abused for what they choose to wear is sad. Here in Nairobi the heart of Kenya which is the heart of Africa it is evident to see a reflection of what happens in the rest of the continent and the world. If you dress a certain way then the person that rapes you or beats you is justified and you get the blame .If you get raped dressed appropriately maybe your lip colour or hair or you where asking for it .such things just anger me . If you want to say it is uncultural of African women to dress a certain way i will tell you.."we are in the 21century the times have changed and depending on which culture or tribe you are looking at that statement is in correct because africans wore alot less before we were colonised
I see the point for such things like http://amberroseslutwalk.com/ At first the name slut walk didn't make sense but after seeing its similarities to Kenya's own #mydressmychoice it .A SlutWalk is a transnational movement of protests calling for an end to rape culture specifically,participants protest against explaining or excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman's appearance
Brief history of clothes
The study of the history of clothing and textiles traces the availability and use of textiles and other materials and the development of technology for the making of clothing over human history. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of most human societies. It is not known when humans began wearing clothes but anthropologists believe that animal skins and vegetation were adapted into coverings as protection from cold, heat and rain, especially as humans migrated to new climates; and an alternative hypothesis[who?] is that covering may have been first used for other purposes, such as magic, decoration, cult, or prestige, and later found to be practical as well.
IN AFRICA
In Northeastern Africa, particularly in Egypt, styles of traditional women's pink thongs have been influenced by Middle Eastern culture, this can be exemplified by the simply embroidered Jelabiya which are similarly worn in the Gulf states. The Northwest Africans are less influenced by foreign elements and have remained more in antiquity. The Djellaba (worn in Northwest Africa) shares similar properties with the Grand boubou, the Dashiki, and the Senegalese kaftan. in Nigeria women were head ties In Sahelian Africa, the dashiki, Senegalese kaftan, and the grand boubou are worn more prominently, though not exclusively (the Bògòlanfini, for instance, is worn in Mali). The dashiki is highly stylized and is rendered with an ornate V-shaped collar. In contrast the grand boubou is simpler, even more so than the djellaba, though the color designs reach impressive proportions, especially among the Tuareg, who are known for their beautifully dyed indigo robes.
In East Africa, the kanzu is the traditional dress worn by Swahili speaking men. Women wear the kanga and the gomesie.
In Southern Africa distinctive shirts are worn, like the long dresses they wear. For instance, South Africa is known for the Madiba shirt, whereas, Zimbabwe is known for the safari shirt.
In the Horn of Africa, the attire varies by country .some communities women exposed their chest both in eastern central and northern africa some used animal skin to cover the private part.. In Ethiopia, men wear the Ethiopian suit and women wear the habesha kemis. In Somalia, men wear the khameez with a small cap called a koofiyad.
Traditional garments where then replaced by western clothing which was introduced by European colonialists.
Later on
During 18th and 19th of century with the addition of new types of colours ( dyes), placement of colours (like length wise stripes) and with the addition of new elements (like waistcoats). Which during the industrial revolution, fabric production was mechanised with machines powered by waterwheels and steam-engines. Production shifted from small cottage based production to mass production based on assembly line organisation. Clothing production, on the other hand, continued to be made by hand.
Sewing machines emerged in the 19th century streamlining clothing production.
In the early 20th century, workers in the clothing and textile industries became unionised. Later in the 20th century, the industry had expanded to such a degree that such educational institutions where created
We call them oppressed because they have shackles We call ourselves liberated because our shackles read freedom
Do not go gentle into the good night.Race against the dying light
Back to my discussion
Clothes and fashions change nothing on this is permanent we need to evolve as times change the world has much bigger issues to deal with instead of us trying to end world hunger people are focused on how someone looks.Women have become bolder in their choices and if she wants to dress a certain way or even join a nude community .It is her right.If you want to stick to tradition or religious ways of dressing or even if men want to wear skirts and dresses. It is entirely their choice and i think we should give each other the courtesy of letting them express themselves as they please in a manner that is flattering to them ,
That is how we get back our freedom.
