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We are preparing a series of pages on national clothing styles. We now have over 60 countries listed in our country section. Most have a linked page with at least some basic information on clothing in that country. We have developed detailed information for several mostly European counties and the United States. Many of the country pages, however, are just being sketched out at this time. So don't expect too much yet. We have a lot of other pages to do, so it will be a while before we can focus on all the countries on our list. Of corse here we need your assisatnce. HBC does not have the capability to visit or even reserach all of these countries. Do let us know if you have any text or images to contribute about your country. We are interested in adding information about every different countries around the world. The current Euro-centric focus of HBC is because European readers have been the most willing to contribute information. We have tried to create a page for each country, even if only limited information is available. This provides a location for collecting information. We hope that our readers will contribute insights into fashion trends in their own countries. HBC has collected information on more than individual countries. The information on most of these countries still sketchy. We have, however, succeeded in collecting quite detailed infornation on America and several European countries.
HBC at this time has very little information on Afghani boys' wear. Clothing styles have been strongly affected by social trends and rule by a communist government and now rigid Tailaban theocracy. We have little information on clothing during the communist era, but the Tailban is promoting long closed shirts and baggy trousers.
We do not yet have an Armenian page, but we have begun to collect some informatioj on Armenia. Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world with a recorded history streaching back an estimated 3,500 years. We have an Armenian history page. We have a portrait of an unidentified Armenia boy and his mother in the Ottoman Empire during the 1890s, before the Turks carried out the Armenian genocide. After that there was an Armenian population left in Tsarist Russia. That was the core of the new Armnian state that emerged from the Soviet Union (1992).
Azerbaijan has a long history. The modern history has been assiciated with Russia, boh the Tsarist and Soviet empires. The country became independent with the disolution of the Soviet Union. We have very limited information on Azerbaijan at this time. The only informatin we have found so far is youth groups.
HBC still has no boys information on clothing trends in Bangladesh. we suspect that they are similar to India. Bangladesh merchants have inquired about purchasing used American clothing.
Bhutan is one of two small Himalayan kingdoms nestled between Tibet, China, and India and as a result has been influenced over time by those countries. There was also a short period of British influence durung the Raj. Bhutan is by China (Tibet) to the north and India to the south and is very clode to Bangladesh. The other Himalayan kingdom is located a few miles to the west. .
The country is ruled by a hereditary monarch. It is a very traditional societies with an economy based on agriculture. Bhutan is a largely Buddhist country with influences from both India and Tibet. The legal system is based on Buddhist law and English common law. The heart if Bhutan is the
Kathmandu Valley which had been the enter if the monarchy for 1,500 years. Few countries have a more majestic setting--surrounded by the towering Himalayas and nine of the planets highest mountain peaks (including Mount Everest and Annapurna I). Nepal began to emerge from its medieval isolation in the 16th century when the House of Gorkha by Dravya Shah (1559). Gorkha monarchs expanded the kingdom into a major state into what is now India (late 18th century). This brought Bhutan into conlict with the British East India Company. The Anglo- Nepalese War (1814-16) was fought in the later stage of the Napoleonic War in Europe. The Treaty of Sagauli ended the War, but left Bhutan with its nuch reduced moddern boundaries.
We do not yet have much information on Cambodia. We do have a page on Cambodian schools. There is also a page on the Cambodian monarchy. There is also a sad page on the Kymer Rouge's terrible genocice.
China is one of the oldest civilizations on earth. China has unlike the other great river valley civilizations developed independently of the rest of the world. Even so because of the great size and power of China impacte the far distant West. One of the great questions associated with China is why with the great technological advances of China, it was the relatively backward West that used Chinese technology to make the great leap to modernity We know little about historic Chinese clothing at this time, but we eventually hope to add such information to HBC. HBC still has very limited information on Chinese boys' clothing. We would, however, be very interested in any infornmation that Chinese readers can provide us on either tradition or modern clothing in this important country. A Chinese reader is helping us to pull together some basic information.
India is a huge country comprising much of the south Asian sub-continent and with one one of the largest and most diverse populations on earth. The country streaches from the cool uplands of the Himilayas to tropical coastal Indian ocean areas. The country is composed of a large number of ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. Many of these groups have their own destinctive clothing styles and cultural traditions. The British colonial Raj also was very influential and played a key role in kniting modern India together. India id the world's largest democracy and the country's democracy has played a major role in creating a viable state out of such diversity--a monument to the remarkable leaders who have led India sych independence. Muslims insisted on a separate state at independence, although many Muslims chose to remain in India and rely on the democratic traditions planted by Britain to protect their minority rights. And modern western clothing and an increasingly consumer oriented economy have grown in importance. India is a very large country when regions that have different climates which has also affected fashion and clothing. At this time we have very limited information on Indian boys' clothes. Hopefully our Indian readers will provide information to better understand their dascinating country in general and fashion trends in paricular. Many children, especially boys, wear Western dress, but traditional styles are also important.
Iran was formerly called Persia. We have some information on Ancient Persia. We have very little information on modern Iran nd do not yet have an individual country page. We do have a page on Zoriastrianism. It is one of the world's great rlgious traditions and was the religion of the Persian Empire.
We have very little information about Iranian schoolwear at this time. We have on image of schoolboys in Yzed about 1908. We believe that smocks have
commonly been worn, primarily by girls. We have a biography on Vartan Gregorian, an Arminian Christian.
HBC has not acquired information about Iraqi boys' clothing. This is part because of Saddam's horific regime, few Iraqis have had access to the internet. We note almost note Iraqi visitors to HBC. Hopefully that is about to change.
HBC ha emcountered difficulties assessing Isreali boys' clothing. Much of the population of Isreael was either born in other countries or have parents that were born in other countries. We have relatively limited information about boys who have actually grown up in Israel.
Japanese elementary boys generally wear short pants. Many schools require them as part of a school uniform, but mothers also purchase them for casual and dress wear. The shorts were baggy until the 1950s when very short shorts became standard. Japanese mothers apparently looked to Continental Europe for their fashion inspirations rather than America. Boys stop wearing shorts when they begin junior high school at 12 years of age and begin wearing a military-style uniform. At the same time they also stop wearing shorts for casual and dress wear. Major changes occurred in the 1990s as younger boys began wearing longer, baggier shorts and older boys began wearing shorts for the first time. Many schools, however, continue to require the shorter shorts.
We have very limited information on Korea at this time. Korea is not a country HBC has been able to research in any detail. Hopefully Korean readers will provide us some information on clothing trends in their country. Curiously South Korea is a country with very high levels of internet use, but we receive very few contacts from Korea. Korea is also a divided country, separated by the Cold War. Before separation there was little cultural and fashion difference between North and South Korea. Today glitering, prosperous South Korea could not be more different than the desperately poor, pranoid garison state to the north.
The Kurds are a people without a country. Her we have created a page on Kurdistan, even though we have little information on Kurdish clothing. A basic knowledge of the Kurds and their lack of a country is important in understanding both Iraq and the Middle East in general.
Lebanon is the Middle-Eastern country wedged between larger Syria and the Mediterrean Sea. Since the dawn of civilization, Lebanon has been a battleground for the larger more powerful nations which surround it. This began with the rise of powerful cultures in Mesopotamia and the Nile Valley. Lebanon was after World War I a French protectorate and French culture was of some importance for many years, including boys wear. This however is little in evidence in the chaotic current situation.
Malaysia is a diverse country consisting of Malays, Chinese, and Indians. Boys clothing styles differ based on their ethnic background. The Malay community wear what they consider to be modest dress.
We do not yet habe a page on Mongilia. We do have a page on Mongolian history.
Myanmar was formerly called Burma.
Nepal is a small Mimalayan country wedged between India and Tibet. It was controlled by the Gurkas when the British seized control of India (18th century). Nepal signed treaties with the British, but Nepal was never incorporated into the British Raj. Britain recognized the country's complete independence (1923). We not yet have a Nepal pge, but there is a Nepal school page.
We have few details about Pakistani boys' clothing at this time. We do note boys in the rural areas, especially in the tribal areas along the Agghan border wearing caps like those worn in Afghanistan. British fashion have been influential in Pakistn, especilly among the more affluent and in the larger cities. American fashion also has had an impact, especilly jeans. The resurgence of fundamentalism has had some impact on fashion. Even in remote areas, gowever, we often note a mixture of traditional and western styles. One tradition garment is the three piece salwar kameez. The kameez and vest are
often beautifully embroidered. They are commonly made in varius colors, including pale blue, khaki, chocolate and grey. Styles vary especially the length of the vest.
For casual wear, Singapore' children generally wear very bland clothes
that are imported. There is not much of a textile manufacturing industry here due to the fact that we have moved on into the secondary and tertiary industries. A reader in Singaport tells us that, "The clothes here are not exceptional, just what you would expect to wear in summer in the United States." HBC also has some information on Singapore school uniforms and uniform groups.
Sri Lanka was called Ceylon as a British colony. We are just beginning to acquire basic information on Sri Lanka boys' clothing at this time. Climate and income levels are major factors affecting children clothes in Sri Lanka. The climate is tropica. As a result, usually only very light-weight clothing is needed. Income levels are relatively low. Thus most families can not afford exensive outlays for children's clothing. Many boys wear casual shirts and short pants. We note many Sri Lanka children go barefoot. Flip flops are also common. We do note a group of boy dancers in the 1930s. Most Sri lanka schools require the children to wear school uniforms. here is no national uniform. Each school establish their own uniform and dress code rules. Often the casual clothes boys wear are outgrown school uniforms.
Aiwan is one of the great sucess stories of Asia. It is a country with limited national resources that has constructed not only a successful industrial economy, but a vibrant democracy as well. Taiwan has long been a part of China until seized by Japan (1895). Taiwan under the Japanese was known as Formosa. Taiwan was returned to China after the Japanese surrender in World War II (1945). After defeat on the Mainland, Chang Kai-Shek's Nationalists fled to Taiwan (1948). For many years Taiwan was dominated by the Nationalists, but as democratic governmet took hold the native Taiwanese became the dominant force. Today boys in Taiwan dress much as boys in the West, but Japanese fashions are also an influence.
Tajikistan is one of the new independent countries that emerged from the disolution of the Soviet Unuin in 1992. We have little information about Tajikistan, but we have some information on traditional Tajik clothing. The Tajik boy here wears a long coat-like garment, but I am not sire what it is called. Tajik clothing looks to be heavily embroidered. The Tajik spring celebration is called Navrus today. People often wear traditional costumes as seen here. It is a velvet outfit worn by boys and men. Mother makes it at home. So the designs vary widely and come in different sizes. This student also wears matching trousers and white velvet shirt. There is also ornate head wear.
One Thai reader reports that girls like to wear all colours, eccept their school uniform colir. They like to wear shorts, T-shirts and some wear hats . Boys like to wear jeans, pants, T-shirts and hats. All Thair schools require uniforms.
Tibet is a central Asian country wjich was conquered by China (1720). China has since claimed soverignity, although often only nominally. The Communist government invaded Tibet and has since increased its control over Tibet and promoted the migrantion of ethnic Chinese into Tibet. The Tibetian pobulation is very traditional and there have been perodic uprisings put down by the Chinese. We do not yet have a Tibet page. We do have a Tibetian school page.
HBC has not yet been able to collect much information on the clothing worn by Turkish boys. We have little historic information on Turkey. We do note that the warm Medditeranean climate of Turkey is an important factors as was centuries of rule by the Ottoman Turks. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of the modern secular state after World War I, European fashions began to have greater influence. The Turks do have very distinctive kilt folk costumes. HBC has been unable to find much information on Turkish boys clothes and would bevery interested in anu information that Turkish visitors to our site may be able to offer.
Turkistan is one of the new central Asian countries created from the Soviet Union. As a Soviet republic, it was often referred to as Turkmen or Turmenistan. The country borders on the Caspian Sea. Iran, Afghanistan and Russia and Uzbeckistan on the north. Most of the country is the Kara Kum Desert. The population is largely composed of Turkmens, a Turkic-speaking Moslerm people.
Uzbekistan is one of the central Asian countries created from the Soviet Union in 1992. It is a very new country with an ancient tradition. Boys have worn traditional clothes, but the russians who came to Uzbekistan wear modern European-styled clothes.
We do not yet have a page on Vietnam. We do have a page on Assam/Vietnam royalty. There is also a page on a Vietnamese region, the Mekong Delta. We do not yet have a history page on Viet nam, but there is a page on the Vietnam War.
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