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There's two kinds of answer to this. Option A:-

Hell, I can't talk for anyone else......... as an individual, gone native implies that someone lives in a mud hut and has a "native" (your expression, not mine) wife and dresses like one of the locals....... I have an wife who (like me) is British by birth and English by the grace of God

and I live in a European style house (albeit in Africa) and I don't dress like a native. - so in my case, I guess the answer is no.

However, I've been kicking around Africa for close to 27 years, so I have obviously picked up some African culture along the way and made a lot of good friends..... Some of whom are Africans. - Some of those Africans have given me various gifts as marks of respect, I like to wear the relevant gift when I'm in their particular neck of the woods..... when I'm home, most of them come off. For example, a Maasai skinner presented me with a Maasai Moran bangle, which is considered a symbol of courage and only to be worn by a man...... when I go to Masailand, I wear it. - If I didn't, he would notice.

I also have two bangles made from the cartlidge of Elephants feet - again made by skinners, but given to me as gifts by the clients who shot the Elephants. I don't always wear them - but often do when I'm hunting as I consider them lucky. - They also have a lot of sentimental value to me. (As do the other items)

On the subject of luck, I always wear a Leopard claw that was given to me by the finest man and hunter I ever knew - It came from a Mr Spots that very nearly nailed us both. I've worn that for about 20 years and every time I put down a charge or have a close run thing, the first thing I find myself doing afterwards is, I reach up and rub it between my finger and thumb........ why?, I don't know - I guess I believed him when he told me it would be very powerful muti that would protect me...... so maybe that's an African thing or maybe it's just because I'm superstitious.

One thing I do have to wear all the time is the antique Ivory bangle I was given...... It's not through choice - I can't get the bloody thing off and don't have the heart to take a hacksaw to it!

I also confess to having a tokolosh on my desk.

But the point is, I wear what I want to wear and don't give a flying F**k what the fashion police think.

Or, option B:-

Yup, so what's it got to do with you.....

Ah well, gotta go now as I have to bring the goats and cattle in and gather my firewood before it gets dark....... to say nothing of finding out out where my wives have got to with my pombe.......

--------------------
Steve "Shakari" Robinson
Kuduland Safaris (Africa) Ltd
info@kuduland.com
www.kuduland.com

Edited by shakari (19/10/06 06:13 AM)