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mxc
6 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Dec 2005 : 01:30:34
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Female tourists in particular are known for the kind of dress, which may expose certain parts of their bodies while strolling leisurely in town, markets or shops. Dresses that are above the knee and reveal suggestive parts of your body (thighs) are seen as indecent and can cause offence. Tight clothes too are frowned upon. As a country with a predominantly Muslim populace, you cannot expect any thing different in terms of people's reaction if you fail to respect their culture and values. A modest dress will not incur the wrath or displeasure of anybody and can even enhance the impression people may have about you. Typical reproaches may be blank, hostile or fiery stares from people. From http://www.gambia.dk/culture_notes.pdf
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Edited by - mxc on 03 Dec 2005 01:32:48 |
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Guest
Gambia
20 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2005 : 19:20:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Babylon
In their homes for example they often walk bare brested among male guests like it was the most natural thing in the world!
Yes it is infact very natural to us as you could see. Breast is not seen here the way you see it over there in Europe. A European woman would rather hide her breast and walk naked. |
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dave
Ireland
89 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2005 : 23:16:14
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| I think everyone should respect the dress code....But what about male tourists?.....Has anyone any views?? |
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Babylon
Sweden
691 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 02:38:17
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Dave, I think itīs the same for both men and women, to cover your legs well from waist and down. But I donīt think anyone has fainted yet from the site of a pair of hairy legs in kneelong shorts quote:
Originally posted by dave
I think everyone should respect the dress code....But what about male tourists?.....Has anyone any views??
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Guest
Gambia
20 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 14:35:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Babylon
What I dont understand in the tourist guide at asset-gambia.com/traveltips/ is the part where itīs written that "Remember that sielence is golden" when it comes to female gential mutilation. So should this practice be respected and accepted or what do they mean??? Iīm sceptic to many of the tips given to tourists on that site.
Female circumcision is one of the harmful cultural practices we still have. Nontheless, ASSET is right to advise turists keep out of the debate just to be on the safe side. We have local NGO dealing with the issue through workshops and other means and we don't need any Toobab to come and dictate their values to us. For your information, its not all tibes who practice it and how can you as a tourist know who to discuss or not to discuss the issue with? |
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Babylon
Sweden
691 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2005 : 15:56:29
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| So Guest, can you say what exactly are your local NGO doing about this problem? I think that female genital mutilation is something that needs to be brought in the spotlight because millions of women all over the world suffer and die of it, not only in your country. I definatly think everybody has the right to do something about it, may they be toubaabs or not. This torture against girls and women has to stop! |
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lai jallow
3 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2005 : 16:44:49
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Babylon, as a fulaman, one thing I have warned my fula mother-in-law and my wife against is any attempt to FGM my young daughter. You are right, if something in our culture is wrong we should take a stand. But ASSET is advising mainly foreign tourists! quote:
Originally posted by Babylon
What I dont understand in the tourist guide at asset-gambia.com/traveltips/ is the part where itīs written that "Remember that sielence is golden" when it comes to female gential mutilation. So should this practice be respected and accepted or what do they mean??? Iīm sceptic to many of the tips given to tourists on that site.
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dave
Ireland
89 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2005 : 18:37:09
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| Babylon.....I think you are absolutely right about FGM. Recently a young Nigerian female died in my country as a direct result of having this procedure done without proper medical attention nor any pain killers. It is an inhumane thing to do and I dont accept for one moment the argument that it is part of a counties culture......It used to be common for men to beat their wives here.....that was regarded as part of life but it doesnt make it right. FGM MUST be stopped...Its akin to torture! |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2005 : 19:45:32
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Greetings Everyone,
On the issue of FGM a positive stance is being made by African women globally from what was once a taboo subject is now changing into a a zero tolerance stance, and the beautiful thing about this change in attitude is that women who have undergone FGM are at the forefront of this campaign. Giant steps have been made in the last twenty years since I became aware of it then when a Nigerian sister brought it to my attention the difficulties that she had been experiencing and wanted to forum a support group in London in 1985. For the past 4 years alone we have debated this subject on countless ocassions, and it is worth debating time and time again until our sisters stop inflicting this hideous baseless practice which is not based on Islamic teachings but is a crude way of abusing women to supress their sexuality and it is perpetuated by women themselves. At last the vicious cycle is being broken. Indeed our brothers are also becoming more consciously aware of the dangers involved and are standing up to the plate and declaring this is not to be done in my name!
So really African women are liberating themselves from this form of abuse. And those elder women who traditionally performed these practices are having to find more useful occupations to earn a living and be productive in their contribution to society because maiming future generations of girls and young women is not productive or progressive for the holistic health of African women.
So I salute my fellow sisters who are in the forefront of woman liberation from premature death, torture, infant morbidity, painful menstration, painful sexual intercourse, sterlity and all the other discomforts that come from the procedure may they be blessed for their courage to change the conditions of future generations of African womens, mental and physical health. And all the brothers who have changed their attitudes to support those important women and girls in their lives.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Oms
Sweden
2 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2005 : 13:25:47
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quote:
Originally posted by mxc
Female tourists in particular are known for the kind of dress, which may expose certain parts of their bodies while strolling leisurely in town, markets or shops. Dresses that are above the knee and reveal suggestive parts of your body (thighs) are seen as indecent and can cause offence...."
hi, i have to make a comment here, during my visits to the Gambia i've noticed so many young gambian woman wearing dresses and skirts that barely cover their behind so to say. i know that most of them r from muslim families so it surprises me as a tourist to c that.
ok, we r not talking about daytime but evenings n weekends. for not talking about the dresscode in the clubs, but then again thats īthe saem all over the world i guess.
me myself r not wearing short skirt or tight revealing dresses unless i'm in a club but i know that some ppl do wear it daytime and i can understand if it can cause offence, even though i'never spy anyone wearing smthg provoking daytime.
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Babylon
Sweden
691 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2005 : 16:31:54
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| Hi Oms! I agree with you. And I think there definitly is a double standard in The Gambia when it comes to clothing. So many girls there dress after european standards especially at clubs and parties although being a muslim country, and also walking around topless at home among perfect strangers (guests) doesīnt seem to be a problem either. So instead of always warning female tourists of dressing incorrect, why not practice what they preach first? Although, I do think as a tourist one should respect the Islamic dress code when visiting the villages, someones home, elderly people etc.. But really, Where is the line drawn in The Gambia of what is correct and whatīs not when many of the gambians donīt follow the islamic dresscodes either? |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2005 : 17:40:35
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The double standards exist in Gambian dress codes today is due to globalisation, and the impacts of tourism which dilute cultural norms. If you were to turn the clock back ten years ago if you wore a mini skirt off of hotel premises you would feel naked because the majority of Gambian women would be covered up. And very few Gambian women would be in the clubs let alone wearing skimpy clad.
As for revealing the breasts in Gambia are seen for what their main function feeding babies, most babies in Gambia are breast feed. Whereas breasts in Europe are mainly associated with sexual arousal. There obviously is a cultural difference here between what Europeans call a double standard and what Africans consider a double standard. And by the way Gambia is not an Arab country therefore their traditional dress code represents their culture and religion. I suppose that a women thighs is seen more sexually tempting within Gambian society than a woman's breasts. So therefore a woman wearing a mini skirt round town or in a bikini would be seen as more offensive on Gambian streets. Than a Gambian woman revealing her breasts. The opposite view maybe taken away from the topless beaches of Europe. I'm sure if a British woman walked down her local High Street doing her shopping topless would be arrested. But if she did her shopping in her bikini then she'd probably get away with it.
So on the issue of double standards those pointing their fingers at African double standards should also put the microscope over their own.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Babylon
Sweden
691 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2005 : 19:42:30
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Yes, there are huge differences between our cultures and the way we dress and also different ideals of beauty. But now we are talking about what dress codes are recomended for female tourists in the Gambia which, according to asset-gambia here above is a Muslim country with mainly a Muslim population. It is recomended for female tourists not to wear too revealing outfits that can cause offence to the Muslims. That is understandable, but why isnīt the same dress code recomended for the women of the Gambia as well? Are they not Muslims or is it just on the surface? In the Quran it is written that you shall not reveal your body (boobs as well) to others than your husband, close family and other females. So when a muslim donīt follow that and then pick on westerners for showing their body (which is normal in Europe), That is what I call double standard. Also I can not relate to what you said about 10 years ago about mini skirts and that the majority of Gambian women would be covered up. I was in the Gambia for the first time 11 years ago in -94 and it was ME who felt dressed up at one gambian girls 22nd birthdayparty in her familys compound. I was wearing recomended clothes out of respect for Islam. Then at the party everybody wore MINI SKIRTS or short dresses that revealed everything and more! I was definitly wearing too much clothes.
Donīt get me wrong, I have no problem with women showing off their bodies, most women are beautiful and should not be forced to hide it. For me, coming from a Finnish sauna culture, being naked is natural and nothing to be ashamed of. That has nothing to do with sexuality. But when it comes to the talk about religion and not to dress a certain way due to religion, I think that rule should be followed by all and not only the female tourists. Otherwise it is a double standard. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2005 : 20:56:17
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Let's be real Babylon there are always exceptions to the rule. There were less Gambian women ten years ago wearing skimpy clothes than there are today. And also remember that not every Gambian is a muslim either. I suppose it depends on the people you were visiting practicing muslims were not or not other wise they would of dressed more modestly. They were also in their own compound not in a public space. As Gambia is a patriachal society it is not suprising that dress codes are aimed at women to preserve Gambian culture.
As the saying goes "when in Rome..."; can also be adopted as when in Gambia do as the Gambians do or should do!
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Babylon
Sweden
691 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2005 : 08:14:41
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Aight then Sis O, if I say so! But still, the compound was open for the public as well, meaning the whole neighbourhood. Thatīs one of the things whatīs so great about the Gambians -everybody is welcome to join the party! The party was kinda hard to miss with all the loud music and discolights there in Bakau (Newtown) Many westerners sho have alot to learn from Africans about good spirit and hospitality, warmth and humanity as well, etc etc. And now as I speak about it, again I start missing Africa... It truly is like my second home. Everytime I land there itīs like coming home again and I feel like to kiss the ground. I guess that is why I spend too much time on this board, coz Iīm homesick... Coming to Africa is like coming in from the cold. Damn! It is too cold here in Babylon (in all ways)!!! |
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Oms
Sweden
2 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2005 : 15:45:10
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i also believe that as a tourist u tend to see more of the light dressed gambianwoman than if you are a average gambian citizen that doesn't go to the clubs and tourist areas that often.
and then as an average gambian you will also tend to see more light dressed touristwoman that move around in your neighbourhood, trying to find there way around among local places and ppl, then seeing it among your neighbours.
that makes perfectly sense to me.
i know what you say about the cultural differences when it comes to what to be seen provoking within our different home countrys (bare breast or bare thighs etc) but i also believe that thoose standards are changing slowly with the upcoming generations,as you say its due to globalisation. i know many young gambian woman today that doesnt like being bare breasted at home and they dont see it natural to go wihtout a bra for example. i am not talking about the Rural areas, its different there. so its changing even there.
and its not always being without clothes that is the most provokativ way, but wearing smthg tight showing the viewer whats unerneath, can many times be more provoking than anythign else.
during one day at Serrekundamarket some years ago i spy so many woman in between 15-35 wearing tight tight clothes, showing there bodies completly and not leaving anything for the fantasy so to say. i like dressing like that myself sometimes ,its not that. but what i mean is that is also some kind of dubbelstandard. dont show ur tights with a short skirt but feel free to show them up in tight tight trousers.
thats how i look at it.
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