Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Define African..no Points
Everyone has a pet hate, a sore spot, whatever you want to call it. Today, our mwalimu in Systematic Theology argued for a position allowing women in church leadership to a room full of African men. Hats off! It helps that it was a he though. This is one of those touchy subjects for me but i rarely get into public arguments. However, today was the exception to the rule. My engagement with the class discussion had something to do with my convictions but was largely driven by another similar irritant from another context.
One of my more conservative classmates expressed that the college could be more African than it is. Now I could say that NEGST is a very different environment from the normal Kenyan school. Its so different that i would call it an island of sorts. Not surprising really because of the diversity here and the education system being American. Anyway, when said individual was pressed to get what their idea of change would be, reference was made to the women's dress here being very unafrican. This of course refers to the ladies who cavort around college in trousers.The role model for the misguided African women where modest dress is concerned is a European..um..i mean British friend who wears beautiful long west african style skirts(kitenge). The irony in that is amazing.
Now i have nothing against floor sweeping skirts. I actually like them in the rare times that they are not tripping me up or being ripped off behind me while i get off a City Hoppa courtesy of an overeager passenger stepping on it behind me. Believe me, it is hard to maintain some kind of dignity with a gaping hole somewhere in the rear. I have no problem covering up even my hair if the social conventions of a place demand that. I don't go to my home church wearing trousers and avoid wearing them in my rural neighbourhood. BUT, ladies and gentlemen, this is Nairobi!
However, a more fundamental question is, what is african dressing? Does such a thing exist? I wouldn't say it does. What I would say however is that if I were to be authentically dressed in suitable Gikuyu regalia, the mũthuru, the effect would be to die for. The women on campus would probably wail, grab a leso/khanga/kikoy and run in my direction. And no, it will not be a celebration of style. The leso would not be laid on the ground to honour me. No, they would throw it around me and rush me away shaking their heads in shame and a tongue lashing would follow thereafter. If you've never been told off by an older african woman, at least of my ethnic group, I've got advice for you: avoid it at all costs. The men, i don't think i need to go there. And here is the thing, the Agikuyu had some clothes on!
So what is it that the conservatives call "african dress"? I think it lies somewhere between missionary and poisonwood bible. And as a result, just so you know, I had to look up the name of the skirt online and in Kenyatta's Facing Mt Kenya to get the details right...
One of my more conservative classmates expressed that the college could be more African than it is. Now I could say that NEGST is a very different environment from the normal Kenyan school. Its so different that i would call it an island of sorts. Not surprising really because of the diversity here and the education system being American. Anyway, when said individual was pressed to get what their idea of change would be, reference was made to the women's dress here being very unafrican. This of course refers to the ladies who cavort around college in trousers.The role model for the misguided African women where modest dress is concerned is a European..um..i mean British friend who wears beautiful long west african style skirts(kitenge). The irony in that is amazing.
Now i have nothing against floor sweeping skirts. I actually like them in the rare times that they are not tripping me up or being ripped off behind me while i get off a City Hoppa courtesy of an overeager passenger stepping on it behind me. Believe me, it is hard to maintain some kind of dignity with a gaping hole somewhere in the rear. I have no problem covering up even my hair if the social conventions of a place demand that. I don't go to my home church wearing trousers and avoid wearing them in my rural neighbourhood. BUT, ladies and gentlemen, this is Nairobi!
However, a more fundamental question is, what is african dressing? Does such a thing exist? I wouldn't say it does. What I would say however is that if I were to be authentically dressed in suitable Gikuyu regalia, the mũthuru, the effect would be to die for. The women on campus would probably wail, grab a leso/khanga/kikoy and run in my direction. And no, it will not be a celebration of style. The leso would not be laid on the ground to honour me. No, they would throw it around me and rush me away shaking their heads in shame and a tongue lashing would follow thereafter. If you've never been told off by an older african woman, at least of my ethnic group, I've got advice for you: avoid it at all costs. The men, i don't think i need to go there. And here is the thing, the Agikuyu had some clothes on!
So what is it that the conservatives call "african dress"? I think it lies somewhere between missionary and poisonwood bible. And as a result, just so you know, I had to look up the name of the skirt online and in Kenyatta's Facing Mt Kenya to get the details right...
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