Driving through Arusha and beyond into the countryside on day 1 of our safari, our guides chuckled at us as we madly photographed colorfully dressed Tanzanians we passed along the route. This meant constant of shutter clicking, because everybody sports wild color with artistic abandon. Teal patterned skirts worn with orange and lime green tops, with heads wrapped in purple or hot pink, for instance. Or, how about red plaid worn with azure blue floral prints, or apple green pants worn with turquoise shirts:
On top of free-wheeling use of colorful fabrics, Tanzania's Masai women pile on beaded jewelry, adorning ears, necks and arms with multiple pieces, free of color contraint. No worry if the day's ensemble is lime green and purple and you want to wear an orange/white/blue necklace with a black/pink/yellow beaded choker-collar. Just do it. The western fashionista rule of,, "Get dressed, then take one thing off" does not apply. There's no such thing as being over-dressed for the occasion. Layered jewelry isn't limited to special occasions. Masai women adorn themselves for their daily tasks of fetching water, tending herds, minding children, doing laundry, working in the markets. All activities are considered part of the social life, and when you socialize, you dress!
Clamian told us that husbands demonstrate their esteem for their wives by buying them splendid garb. The profusion of stunning clothing testifies to a multitude of appreciative husbands in Tanzania!
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