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Cloths
As early as the beginning of the 20th century in many regions of Africa basically untouched by world religions, people made do with minimum clothing, only covering the most intimate body parts – to protect them rather from evil spirits than from indiscreet thorns or looks. Or they would go around naked, because the climate is suitable for it, while every society has its own conventions. Of course, not everywhere it was that way: a different neighboring ethnic group could require its men and women to cover all of their body, only leaving the face, while the chief wore a dozen heavy pieces of boubou clothing, one over another, with a cape on top.
Since then, Tropical Africa has become considerably more dressed, overall. It was caused by the propagation of Islam, Christianity, schooling and urban civilization. However, even now children in many ethnic groups can stay unclothed until they reach adolescence, while public breastfeeding doesn’t bother anybody. The older a person gets and the higher his or her status, the more clothing and jewelry he or she wears, the less of his or her body stays unclothed.
What with styles and colors, fashion is mixed with tradition, and African fashion is as changeable as in other parts of the world.
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