From langarm to Wolosso

Mhambi was just struck again how people, in today's uncertain world are returning to identity for security. I posted just this week about the importance of langarm dancing to some Afrikaners. And how identity can be symbolised by clothes.

Turkey this week saw massive street protests and the treat of a military coup when it became clear that a pro-Islamic leader could become the next president of the famously secular republic. Importantly one of the main objections were that the wife of Abdullah Gul, Hayrunisa Ozyurt, wears the Islamic headscarf.


Kids in Mosque
Originally uploaded by nataliebehring.com.

In Guinea too their has been identity inspired upheavel and it caused outrage and even rape. Men have begun attacking women who they accuse of doing the popular buttock-swinging Wolosso dance from Ivory Coast.

Teenagers wearing skirts or hipsters, associated with Wolosso, which partly expose their buttocks and midriff have been stripped naked and beaten up.

The dance is regarded by many in the mainly Muslin Guinea as pornographic. Women has taken to wearing traditional wraps to escape the wrath of marauding young men.

"Young Guinean girls and African women in general should not dress themselves like European girls" - Conakry resident.

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