Politics of Dress in Somali Culture

Heather Marie Akou is Assistant Professor in the Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design, Indiana University Bloomington. Her work appears in Contemporary African Fashion (IUP, 2010) and Fashioning Africa (IUP, 2004).

The Politics of Dress in Somali Culture is a monumental and an assiduous undertaking that deserves commendation, as the publication can serve as an important introduction to Somali history in schools and for the general audience. Above all, the 177-page book is so well written that it should be accessible to both scholars and students.(Journal of African and Asian Studies) [T]his remarkable study of Somali dress and politics does much to clarify both the Somali peoples history and their present predicaments.(H-AfrArts) The Politics of Dress in Somali Culture is a welcome addition to the growing literature on historical and contemporary dress practices in Africa and the diaspora. . . . Akou's case study broadly demonstrates the globalized nature of Somali dress both historically and today. It is well-written, concise, and touches on many issues that resonate with the history of colonialism, rise (and fall) of a nation state, dispersal into the diaspora, influence of Islam, gender, and creation of national and ethnic identities, making it suitable for course adoption and a general readership.(Museum Anthropology Review) [A]ny unbiased reader will conclude that this is an excellent book, written in a style that will benefit readers across the board. To a large extent, it should benefit scholars and students with cross-cultural and African research and historical interests. Above all, the author should be highly commended for her wonderful insights and excellent research skills.(Africa Today) Akou provides English readers rare insights into the complexities of dress traditions continually interwoven with political conflicts. . . . Highly recommended.(Choice) [This] book importantly addresses an often-overlooked cultural element and its role in religious and political change.(Journal of Religion in Africa) Politics of Dress in Somali Culture is a monumental and an assiduous undertaking that deserves commendation, as the publication can serve as an important introduction to Somali history in schools and for the general audience. Above all, the 177-page book is so well written that it should be accessible to both scholars and students.(African and Asian Studies) [This is] a study that examines clothing clothing and its relationship to political and cultural changes along a historical continuum primarily from the nineteenth century to the present.Spring 2013(African Arts)

• AcknowledgmentsTimeline of Events1 The Political Symbolism of Dress2 The Origins of Somali Dress—Prehistory to 18003 A Class of Civilizations—1800 to 19454 Dressing the Nation—1945 to 19915 Dress in a Time of Extreme Change—1991 to 20106 The Relevance of HistoryGlossaryAppendix A – Stamps issued in Somalia, 1960-1980Bibliography Index