Tribune Excerpts

The following article appeared in the August 2008 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune

Costumes From 13 Countries Dazzle

By Lois Eubank

Fort Wayne — Do clothes do more than clothe us?

	Janet Hartzell admires a multi-layered Macedonian dress.

The question was posed and answered at the first International Costume Symposium hosted by the Macedonian Museum in the Allen County Public Library.

The idea for an international costume symposium took wing when members of the Embroiderer’s Guild wanted to learn how traditional Macedonian costumes are embellished. One member wistfully said it would be interesting to learn the traditions of other ethnic groups.

Since sharing Macedonian culture beyond the walls of the museum is a perfect fit with the MPO mission, the Macedonian Museum committee took the lead in the project. More than 1,200 people attended. Distinctive costumes from Poland, Russia, The Czech Republic, Macedonia, South Korea, Japan, Burma, India, Philippines, West Africa, Scotland, Columbia and Mexico were worn, displayed and explained to the curious — old and young alike.

Janak Narayan, member of a local Indian group, explained how weaving traditions of saris worn by women of northern India differ from the decorative and weaving style of southern India.

	Adriana Varon explains the symbols on her skirt to Brandon Hill.

Scottish tartans and the clans they represent was Lord and Lady Chainsaw’s topic. Several visitors learned a bit of history about their specific ancestral plaids.

Little girls tried on costumes with assistance from strikingly dressed South Korean women while their proud parents snapped pictures. The Rev. Byeong Han of the First Presbyterian Church handlettered names in the Korean language.

The Philippine national costume for ladies, Terno (long gown) is created from pineapple and banana fibers. The influence of Spanish culture is present in the Barong Tagalog (men’s formal shirt) and the Terno. A Muslim costume worn by royal princesses in the Philippines provided stark contrast to the typical dress of rural people.

A Russian court costume from the pre-revolution days of the early 20th Century with a kokoshiak (tiara) drew many appreciative “oohs and ahhs.” The Fort Wayne Ballet showcased it with other Eastern European costumes.

The colorful ladies’ dance costumes of Mexico with wide skirts proved the women to be the peacocks to the plainer, less decorative clothes worn by men. The clothes definitely shouted FIESTA! One would have thought Juan Valdez had come down from the mountain to share the costume of a Columbian coffee grower, thanks to Carlos Arango. Adriana Varon wore a skirt with symbols representing various Columbian cities and the orchidia, the national flower.

Lord Chainsaw and Wayne Chelius confer on Scottish tartans.

Rueben Brown, African/African - American Museum, introduced visitors to the clothes of West Africa, where the long flowing garments made of light color cotton are a necessity to endure the burning heat and the cool nights. A ceremonial libation gown worn by a Nigerian chief at the museum dedication was on display.

Fort Wayne is home to the largest Burmese refugee group in the US. Their rich culture was represented by a group of Karen (kaREN), the largest of the minority ethnic groups living in the mountain ranges of eastern Burma and northwestern Thailand. Identical twin girls wore formal headdresses made of four eight- inchwide- strips woven on a back loom. White clothes signify they are eligible for marriage. Once married, a Karen woman never wears white again. Their modern trousers show the blend of the traditional Karen costume to the practicalities of western living.

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