Taking advice from my sister, I'm introducing this PROM with a 'guess what it is' idea I'm sure she stole from World magazine. As a child, she got that cool subscription while I was stuck with Highlights. Yeah, thanks mom and dad. I'm only 1 year behind Gina; not a perpetual 4 year old! Those pictures where you had to find the missing objects, hmm...I'm pretty sure that guy's head is missing. Anyway, I'm just venting. Highlights, give me a break. Here's the photo:
Some of you may know straight away or have a pretty good idea, especially if you are another volunteer. This is the embroidery on a traditional Pulaar outfit for males called a Froc. PROM #6: My new Froc (material: 5,000 UM, tailoring: 3,000 UM)
Hopefully it is obvious, but I had our gifted tailor sew a guitar into the already cool design. We met this tailor, Bala, through a mutual friend (Katie's counterpart, Mariam). He did a great job and I'm looking forward to wearing it during the next fete. I want to save this outfit for a special occasion, it's not for everyday "around the house" wear.
Clothes are an important part of the Mauritanian culture in many ways. There are different styles for different ethnic groups, people buy new clothes for special occasions, clothes are often used as status symbols (I've heard stories about people spending upwards of 50,000 UM or more on a tradtional Hassaniya Bou-bou [similar to a poncho]), and the making of these traditional clothes can be a beneficial source of income for your family. For instance, El Hussein, my host-brother, is Bala's apprentice. One day, he will become a tailor and this will provide a good source of income for his family.
That's about it for this one. Pretty cut and dry. No funny story about getting the material. No embarrassing anecdote of me doing anything culturally inappropriate. No froc-induced riots. Sorry to let you down. Next time, maybe I'll yell jibberish at Bala when he takes my inseam. That would make for an interesting blog...
Mike (frocin') out.
3 comments:
Froc on, Mike! <----(I got that idea from you). The fabric looks a bit shiny. It's cool that the guitar looks very hand-embroidered. Ya know, it's not like a pre-made iron-on or something, it's that particular tailor's idea of a guitar. I'm sure you'll treasure it forever!
Soooo... different ethnic groups dress differently, people buy new clothes to mark special occasions, and some people use them as a status symbol. Sounds a lot like high school. :-)
I think I will just refer to you as "SUPER MIKE" from now on...was you're leg giving out or something? What's with America's next top model pose?
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