Figure 1.--. |
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Note: I have not yet been able to address the topic of South African boys'
clothes and would be interested in any insights and information HBC readers might have to offer.
Boys clothes have primarily been set by English fashions. Dutch styles were less important because until after World War II the country was controlled by the English and English fashions became the accepted standard. The mild climate was another important factor.
T he Dutch created the first European settlement in Southern Africa, located at Capetown near the strategic Cape of Good Hope. The Dutch ceeded the Cape Colony to Britain
(1814) near the end of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. Conflict with the
British began almost at once, but intensified after the British freed the
slaves that the Boers still held (1834). The Boers decided to place themselves beyond British authority and about 7,000 intrpid pioneers emmigrated north in the Great Trek
(1835-40). More Boer emmigrants followed and three states were created: the Orange Free State, Natal, and the Transvaal. Wars were fought both between the Boers and the native people. The Xhosa war
was fought at the Fish and Kieskama rivers Eastern Cape. Later the Zulu wars were in the then Natal now Kwazulu province. The question of national jurisdiction was not finally settled until the Boer War (1899-1902). The various colonies were combined in the Union of South Africa (1910). Modern South Africa is a union of British and former Boer Republics (1910) with their diverse populations.
South Africa is an ethnically diverse country. The racial composition in 2000 was about: black (75 percent), white (14 percent), colored (9 percent), and Indian (3 percent). [CIA Factbook.] Other estimates exist. Some show the white populationa s low as 8 percent of the population. [South Africa On-Line Travel Guide.] The black population itself is very diverse. The Zulus (21 percent) are the largest group. Other groups include Xhosas (17 percent), Sothos (15 percent), and a large number of smaller tribes. The White population consists of Afrikaners (descended from Dutch, French, and other European immigrants) and English settlers. Indians were brought into South Africa to work on sugarcane plantations and they are still concentrated in Natal. Famed Indian leader Mahatma Gandi soent his formative years in Natal. There are smaller groups like the Cape (Khoikhoi) Malays who were brought as slaves from East India by the Dutch in the 18th century.
There are many strata levels in South African society which in itself is interesting. Due to the temporate climate, some boys (especially in the rural areas) run
about in short pants (albiet grubby) and a "T"-shirt and of course barefooted. In the cities boys have generally become more sophisticated and dress well in varying degrees.
South Africans speak a great diversity of languages. The two principal European languages are English and Afrikaans. The latter language is easy to understand by Dutch people. According to a Dutch reader, " Afrikaans tickles one's funny bone, because it seems such a primitive, child-like language, derived from 16th century Dutch, enriched with some native African and Malayan words. But they always make up new words that make a lot of sense, like refrigerator = ijskassie (ice box), automobile = wa (from the word wagon), etc." HBC of course has a Dutch glossary, but not one on Afrikaans for clothing related terms. We suspect that the clothing terms are quite similar. Both languages continue to be spoken in South Africa, but the black majority strongly prefers English, in part because most associate Afrikanns with Apartheid. There are a much larger number of idigenous African languages. The two most important are Xhosa and Zulu.
HBC at this time does not have detailed information about trends in South African boyswear over time. We have very few historical images in the HBC archives. The limited information we have suggests that since the British seized control of the Cape Colony that South African clothing styles have closely followed British styles. We are less sure about the Bohrs who moved inland and attempted to ditance themselves from the British. After the Bohr War (1899-1902) the images that we have noted suggest that the Bohrs also adopted British clothing styles. We have little informatio on how school uniforms and children's clothing in general has changed over time. While basically following British styles the South African climate over time has has some impact on clothing styles. A 2001 newspaper article entitled "Rather death than being out of Fashion!" provides some insights on current trends in South Africa.
South Africa is made up of a diverse mix of African, Europen, and Asian people. Each of these groups have destinctive dress and garments. At this time we do not have any information on African traditional garments. It was the English who came to dominate South Africa and as a result, English clothing styles became the accepted standard in South Africa. Even after the Afrikanner Nationalist Part gained control of South Africa, it was English fashions that predominated in South Africa. We note relaitevely little influence from the Netherlands.
A South African reader has offered to produce a newsletter with information on South African boys clothing and related sociological trends.
Some personal experiences concering South African boys' clothes:
The 1970s: Visiting America
CIA Factbook
South Africa On-Line Travel Guide.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing South African pages:
[]
[S.A. children's lierature]
[S.A. choirs]
[S.A. school uniforms]
[S.A. scouts]
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