Clothing Makes a Difference: Muslim Verses Native American

When visiting other countries or nations, you will find that each one dresses differently. The people are dressed according to their culture and customs. The way they dress is apart of their identity and it has special meanings. The clothing that people wear can identify the part of society, which they belong to. Many different cultures wear certain clothing daily or to rituals that they practice. Also, some people wear uniforms to work or to school.

Types of Clothing

Religious Clothing

When visiting a Catholic church, you will find women dressed in black dresses. These dresses may have a head covering, but they are allowed to show their face. However, if you visit the Middle East, you will find women wearing a Hijab or a veil (Haydar, M., 2006). They cover up their heads, due to their religious beliefs also. Native Americans wear ceremonial headdresses and war paint when performing a religious ceremony (Paige J., 2006). The headdresses are unique to each tribe and are earn by acts of bravery.

Uniform's Speak

Every professional sports team has their own unique uniform. Football, baseball, basketball, and other sports require a specific uniform to play. Each player is fitted from their head to their feet, even shoes. Military outfits require a certain uniform, before they report to work. You know that the person is part of the Navy or Army, once you see the uniform they are wearing. At a hospital, uniforms help us to identify the doctors from the nurses. The doctor's are using wearing a white lab coat and the nurses wear scrubs. Some local agencies wear uniforms too, as in police officers and fire fighters. In a crisis, it is easy to tell them apart, due to the dramatic difference in their uniform.

Casual Clothing

Many people in America wear casual clothing to go shopping or hangout with friends. Casual outfits are described as jeans, t-shirts, sweat suits, and jogging suits. In America, it is okay to go out in public; wearing casual outfits. However, some cultures would not agree with a woman wearing jeans and t-shirt. The Americans seem to take pride in designing casual clothing, which is comfortable and classy. Many other countries have entered the fashion industry; as in Japan and England.
Muslim Beliefs

Muslim Clothing

The Muslim community has strict policies and religious beliefs, when comes to the way they dress. Muslim men cannot wear silk or gold jewelry, yet the women can. Women cannot show any part of their body, except their face and hands. They must wear a veil or a Hijab, after reach the age of puberty. Muslim men must cover their navel to their knees and their chest, along with wearing a small hat.

Muslim Culture

The Muslim religion follows the Qur'an and its beliefs. However, men seem to dominate the women in this culture. Women are seen and not heard, yet buys are schooled in the beliefs of the Qur'an. Men are taught not to mingle with women, not even when they are a young child. The "Prophet Mohammed" (Muslim-Answers, 2007) and his teachings have been the focal point of their beliefs, even to this day. Muslims are generally peaceful, yet some radical Muslim groups have surfaced over the last decade.

Muslim Communities

These communities are generally poor and are not influenced by western ideas or customs. Basically, each family survives on wages that the men bring home from work. Some communities allow women to teach, but mostly men develop businesses in each community. Some families own computers and telephones, which is about as modern as they want to be. Each community is full of Muslim citizens, who are just trying to feed their family and honor Allah.

Native American Beliefs

Native Clothing

Many Native Indians wear tattoos and clothing made of deerskin, bearskin, and feathers from eagles. The women used to make their families clothing and jewelry from precious stones they found. These pieces of jewelry or clothing were passed down in generations and families. Many of the women were dresses that were made from the skins they collected. The men wore shirts and pants made from leather, along with a headdresses made from eagle feathers.

Indian Culture

Each tribe had their own beliefs and colors that represented their tribe. Many of the elders taught the younger generation, how to hunt and live. Most tribes believed that the burial grounds are sacred and they dance for they spirits. Some of the tribe members join in the ceremonial dance or a "POW-WOW" (Paige, J., 2006) ; wearing paint and headdresses. Lots of tribes were unique to their way of dancing or celebrating the spirits. The women cooked and cleaned for their family, as they taught the young children their culture.

Native American Communities

Many native American Communities have been destroyed, but some still exist all over America. They live on reservations and have businesses that help to support their families. Many of the children are attending schools and churches that have been built on the reservations. Each tribe or reservation has its own government officials, who are elected by the tribe's people. Some reservations are bigger than others, but each one has its own unique custom. Conclusion

Muslims and Native American Indians are different in many ways, from the way they dress, to their native customs. Men and women have different, yet unique roles in each community. The way they dress, can often tell us a lot about their customs and beliefs. The people from each culture are trying to build a life, for the younger generations to follow. Most Muslim and Native American societies are lead by men, but women have different roles in each custom. These two cultures may look and dress different; however, they are each led by their religious beliefs.

References

Haydar, M. (2006) Veiled?

Retrieved online on February 7, 2007

http://www.jannah.org/sisters/veiled.html

Muslim-Answers.org (2006) Muslim-Answers

Retrieved online on February 7, 2007

http://www.muslim-answers.org/

Paige, J. (2006) Native American Clothing

Retrieved online on February 7, 2007

http://www.native-languages.org/composition/native-american-clothing.html

Paige, J. (2006) Native American POW-WOW

Retrieved online on February 7, 2007

http://www.native-languages.org/composition/native-american-pow-wow-2.html