3 Continents
5 Countries
10 Cities
The purpose of this "Blog Journal" is to find out what people around the world think of their cultures being overtaken by the western culture. This journal needs to document its experiences throughout its journey. It needs to travel to 3 continents, 5 countries and 10 cities therefore the people who interact with it need to state where exactly they are from.
The following questions need to be answered:
What is the traditional attire where you are situated?
When is this attire worn and how often?
Do you abide by the traditional attire or have you gone towards the western cultural traditions?
What do you think of the western culture taking over the culture of where you are?
Do you prefer the western attire over your native attire? Why?
How were you influenced by western culture(advertising, people etc.)?
How were you influenced by western culture(advertising, people etc.)?
4 comments:
Where to start?
Firstly does one's dress define their identity?
I am from South Africa, JHB. I must say Western culture runs rife here in the city as very little traditional clothing can be see to be worn, especially where I live. I must say I do sway more towards the western attire, because I have been brought up this way, being a, white, South African, female. I think there is nothing wrong with the western culture that has crept in, as the people who are still strong in tradition are not influenced by these factors. I like the western attire, because it is current and always evolving. To see global trends finally come to South Africa, is incentive enough to be a part of the Western culture, after all, they seem to be the trend setters!
I am from SA, Durban and now live in Christchurch NZ. You see very little of the traditional clothing, only usually on Waitangi day which is the day the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. This occurs once a year.
The Maori population is only about 10% of NZ so in Christchurch NZ especially, not a big population.
Practically, it's too cold for them to wear their traditional clothing all year round :)
I definitely prefer the western attire as I would be too self-conscious wearing what their traditional attire is.
The clothing I wear here is very similar to the clothing I wore in SA. Actually now with the internet, I even buy clothes on line from SA so very little has changed in that regard.
Ok I live in Canada and here clothing follows the trends of the weather. Westernization of attire is part of the culture here since we are the western world. Some of the aboriginal peoples of Canada still wear traditional attire, not only because of tradition, but also for function for example: our Inuit People.
One of Canada's most well known articles of clothing is the tuque(pronounced took). The tuque is similar to the Phrygian cap, made traditionally of wool and is worn in winter to keep your head and ears warm. The red tuque was worn during the 1837 Patriotes Rebellion, and became a symbol of French-Canadian nationalism. Snow boots and a snow suite or feather parka is also a good bet in winter. Other seasons do not have a particular piece of attire that stands out in the same fashion.
Western culture has influenced all attire here and people follow trends all the time. Each season brings new colours, shapes and types of attire and everyone seems to jump on the bandwagon without blinking. I prefer western attire because it works for me. Form and function is important but I like to be comfortable and there are certain types of attire that accommodates those features well. People here are particularly influenced by television, magazines, online stores and particularly the Hollywood actors and actresses. The saying: "Clothing makes the man" would accurately describe how some people here mimic the people they are influenced by. Name brand clothing is very important and status is often measured by it.
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