Thursday, February 02, 2006

Zimbabwe furore over loincloths

By Steve Vickers

BBC News, Harare



Twin Zimbabwean brothers arrested for wearing loincloths have agreed to end their shocking campaign for traditional dress and wear shirts and shorts.

Tafadzwanashe and Tapiwanashe Fichani were charged with indecent exposure after walking around in goatskin kilts, which left their buttocks exposed.

They spent two weeks in prison, where their mental states were evaluated.

The much-publicised case has reignited the debate over traditional versus western dress in Zimbabwe.

The brothers were arrested while wearing the nhembe loincloths on their daily walk to a shopping centre near their home in an upmarket suburb of the capital, Harare.

'Mentally colonised'

Since their release, their father has been shielding them from the media.

But prior to their arrest, the 22-year-olds said that they had received a calling from God to give up their western clothing when they were living in the UK.


If human nature developed from apes, so there's development in life
Man in Harare
They had spent two years studying there, but left after Tafadzwanashe was arrested on fraud allegations and deported.

The brothers said that those who look down on them for their decision were "mentally colonised", as they were just going back to how things were before Europeans arrived in Africa.

The twins also shunned chairs and beds and sat and slept only on the floor.

'Disgraceful'

They have reignited a debate about the place of traditional dress, but not many people in the capital are on their side.

"What they did is very disgraceful, especially to the parents," one man said.

"If human nature developed from apes, so there's development in life. So they should appreciate the development of clothes," he added.

Another woman said she thought their move was "stupid".

"I think we're advanced. We can't wear those things," she said.

After their stay in prison, the public prosecutor says that it was concluded that they are not mentally disturbed.

However, they were only allowed out on free bail after agreeing to wear everyday clothes.

They left prison wearing shirts and shorts, seemingly having lost their battle, but having caught the attention of the nation.