Video: Early 20th Century African Fashion: Archival Photos of Women in Pantsuits
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Fashion is cyclical, which is why it is so interesting to look for things in the past that still look modern today. Among the archival photographs from the new exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, there are several images that will surely surprise even viewers with knowledge of fashion and style. They depict Swahili women in unusual outfits - pantsuits with lush ruffles and flounces.
These photographs were taken in the 1890-1920s. in Zanzibar, and, at first glance, it seems strange that we are faced with women in trousers. Traditionally, it is believed that the fashion for such outfits was introduced by European emancipation women, and not African women.
The population of Zanzibar was formed under the influence of immigrants from Arab countries, they came to the island and created families with local residents. Until now, the population of Zanzibar speaks Bantu mixed with Arabic, using separate words from Persian, Hindi, Portuguese, German and English. In addition to the Arabs, traders from Persia, Indonesia, Malaysia, China and India came here, using Zanzibar as a transit point between the Middle East, India and Africa. It is natural to assume that it was under such diverse influences that the original style of Swahili women was formed.
Some of the most famous photographers in the history of Zanzibar are Pereira de Lord and his brother. They took a record number of photographs to capture the history of the island, its culture, and portraits of local residents. Today, their work forms the basis of the Smithsonian exhibit. Many of these photographs later became postcards that were printed and sent out as souvenirs to commemorate African travels.
Judging by these photographs, at the beginning of the 19th century, women in Zanzibar thought carefully about their style. Shoes, clothes, hats - everything is tastefully selected. In a word, they were real fashionistas.
Modern shots Zanzibar can be seen in our review.
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