Exploring alternative views on the western miniskirt and isigcebhezana in the patriarchal Zulu Culture of South Africa

Abstract

This study explores alternative views on the Western miniskirt and isigcebhezana (miniskirt) in the patriarchal Zulu culture of South Africa. In recent times, the shift in meanings and perceptions on women wearing miniskirts has prompted the researchers to embark on this study. The aim was to find out why women wearing a traditional miniskirt (isigcebhezana), are more respected and appreciated among the patriarchal Zulu nation in South Africa than women wearing a Western miniskirt. However, in contemporary times it is often associated with sexuality. In the patriarchal Zulu culture, the Western miniskirt is often perceived differently from the traditional miniskirt – even though they look similar. The sexualisation of the Western miniskirt leads to situations where African women who wear miniskirts are harassed by cultural men in public spaces. Clothing, such as miniskirts, evokes intense emotional responses in Africa; and objections to this type of clothing are articulated through a discourse of foreign appearance (Hansen, 2004:167). Vincent (2009: 11) suggests that women wearing miniskirts are perceived as slaves of Western cultural imperialism. Like, Hansen (2004: 166) we ask: What is it about the miniskirt that continues to provoke public interest on questions concerning culture, gender, and sexuality?

Keywords: Western miniskirt, traditional miniskirt (isigcebhezana), African pre-colonial period, femininity, patriarchal Zulu cultures, sexual connotations