Africa: Mini Skirt and the Dance of the Maidens

                                                                The Royal Reed Dance

As surprising as it may sound,the concept of dressing to send a message as being a part of the African Culture as a people long before the western world turn it into a fad.

 The origin of the mini skirt has long lied in Africa amongst the Zulus whose maiden or unmarried spinsters are mandated to wear the “isigcebhezana “ which signifies their ‘singleness‘. The rest of the body is left bare but the skirt usually made of Reed, animal skin and beads skin barely reaches the mid-thigh but yet covers the privates. 
Engaged women wear hairnets to show their marital status to society 

Married women cover the whole of their body in clothing and colourful headdresses as it is believe that they now belong to a man. Even modernity has not stifle this culture and eligible ladies still converge to dance the Royal reed dance(Umkhosi Womhlanga), which celebrate the tradition of virginity before marriage and the coming of marital age amongst the Zulus. The “Royal Reed Dance” also helps to solidify the various people that make up the Zulu Nation. 

A special type of clothing is reserved for pregnant women ; The ‘isibamba‘, a thick belt made from dried grass, covered with glass or plastic beadwork, to support her swelling stomach and its additional weight.This is both traditional and therapeutic!