This question came up amongst a group of close friends, so I wanted to ask y'all what your thoughts were?
I'm talking about in a festival, show, concert setting, not just wearing them to the grocery store to appear heady.
Posted Feb 16, 2017, 3:38 AM UTC
Well you are asking a subreddit that is predominantly white so I'd guess few people here would take offense. Personally I think they should be more common in general, as loose fitting clothing is better to wear in the summer, though I don't think I'd ever wear a dashiki myself. I think really you should ask someone from West Africa what they think of white people wearing dashikis. In America they've been associated with the Black Power movement and civil rights and I think many African Americans take some offense to white people wearing Dashikis, especially when they don't know what they mean. Personally I don't think anyone should wear symbols or symbolic clothing if they don't know the meaning behind it.
What is it symbolic of? I couldn't find any info in this.
Well in the United States it would be symbolic of an African heritage
I wouldn't think twice about it if I saw someone wearing one. Other than how comfortable they must be in it.
No white person has ever worn a dashiki without looking like a schmuck.
Well, there is a significance to them in West African influenced Islamic culture that I personally would avoid offending the wrong group of people who may see it as mockery. Just wear regular clothes.
No, there isn't. They were invented and named in 1967 by New Breed Fashions, an American company selling black-identity clothing.
P.S.: It's water plus electricity.
Did some digging, and it turns out the dashiki, including the name, is an American invention by New Breed Fashions, created in 1967 based on African designs.
http://www.thirteen.org/broadcastingwhileblack/uncategorized/debut-episode-of-black-journal-1968/
Is there a reason I should care about what others think as long as I'm OK with it?
Yes, and I don't mean this to be snarky. But shouldn't we aim to respect the people we share the world with and their cultures?
And the reason is what? Are you offended, assuming you're an American, when an African wears a cowboy hat? I'm not. Have you ever worn a dashiki? They're very comfortable.
EDIT: Did some digging, and it turns out the dashiki, including the name, is an American invention by New Breed Fashions, created in 1967 based on African designs.
http://www.thirteen.org/broadcastingwhileblack/uncategorized/debut-episode-of-black-journal-1968/
Yes...but for reasons other than you suggest.
Let's hear em
I don't know....are you offended by Beyonce have straight Blonde hair at the grammy's last week?
"doesn't matter what you wear, as long as you are there"
There's fitting answers to any of life's questions in their songs lol
And if you get confused just listen to the music play. All bases covered lol