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 The lungi, also known as a sarong or dhoti (Pakistan), is a garment worn around the waist in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is particularly popular in regions where the heat and humidity create an unpleasant climate for trousers.
[edit] DesignUnlike dhotis, which are linear like sheets, lungis are sewn into a tube shape like a skirt. However, cheaper "open" lungis are available in identical dimensions without being sewn into a tube shape. The standard adult lungi is 115cm in height and 200cm in length, when open. Children's dhotis are available in approximately 2/3rd of this size. It is normally woven from cotton in a variety of designs and colors. Silk lungis are available for ceremonial purposes such as weddings. The most common styles are either solid-colored or plaid, reflecting the relative ease and cost-effectiveness of producing these patterns on a power loom. Blue is particularly popular, since it fades to pleasant tones in contrast to other colors. Regardless of the design or color, lungis are often lined at the top and bottom with a black/white stripe containing reinforced weaving to prevent fraying. [edit] Usage
Depending on local tradition, lungis can be worn by men and/or women. They are tied or fastened in various ways, and can be used in different cultural activities, ranging from normal daily life to elaborate wedding ceremonies. For daily purposes, a simple "double twist" knot is most popular, where two points in the upper edge of lungi are brought together and twisted around twice, with the ends tucked in at the waist. However, it is also common for wearers to simply tie a double "pretzel knot" from 2 points on the upper border, which produces a more secure knot. The lungi's length can also be adjusted, for example, by tucking in the lungi at the waist to make it resemble a short skirt. [edit] Regional variations[edit] Bangladesh The lungi (Bengali: লুঙ্গি /luŋgi/) is the most commonly-seen dress of Bangladeshi men, although it is not normally worn on formal occasions. In Bangladesh, lungis are worn by men, almost universally indoors and commonly outdoors as well. Elaborately-designed tartan cotton, batik, or silk lungis are also often presented as wedding gifts to the groom in a Bengali wedding. The typical Bangladeshi lungi is a seamless tubular shape, as opposed to the single sheet worn in other parts of South and Southeast Asia. In Bangladesh, the lungi industry is concentrated in Khulna. Bengali women do not traditionally wear lungis, although non-Bengali tribal women do wear similar garments in some parts of southeastern Bangladesh. [edit] MyanmarIn Myanmar, the lungi is called longyi in Burmese. For men, the lungi is known as a paso, and for women, it is known as a htamain. Lungis of different fabrics, including cotton and silk, are worn for informal and formal occasions. [edit] SomaliaIn Somalia, the lungi sarong is referred to as a macawis. It is commonly worn by Somali men as casual wear. The traditional color of the macawis is plain white. However, due to trade with the Southeast Asian islands and the Indian subcontinent as well as the location of Somalia on the Spice Route, colourful Southeast Asian-style lungis have been introduced to the country. [edit] IndiaIn India, the customs behind wearing lungis varies by state. In Kerala, the lungi, generally colourful, and available in varying designs, is worn by both men and women. Physical laborers use it as a working dress. A lungi in plain white, known as mundu, often bears a golden embroidery, especially in the border length, known as kasavu, which is worn on ceremonial occasions like weddings, festive occasions, etc. Saffron-coloured mundus are also known as kaavi munde. The men generally tuck up their mundus or lungis with the bottom of the garment being pulled up and tied back on to the waist. This would make the mundu or lungi only cover the body from the waist to the knees.
In Punjab (both Pakistani and Indian portions), lungis are worn by both men and women. In West Bengal and Bihar lungi is primarily a home wear for males of all classes of society. Lungis are also worn by people who carry out manual labour. [edit] PakistanIn Pakistan, the lungi is almost a traditional thing especially in the Punjab. Lungis are worn all throuhout the Punjab mostly during night time in the vilages of Punjab where due to the hot weather men wear lungis and sleep on Manjas. For men it can also be classed as something worn at home during the evening. Lungis are also popular amongst women where many bear a certain type of embroidery or pattern. Lungis are also very popular in the province of Sindh among both, men and women [edit] YemenIn Yemen, the garment is called a Futah and is worn by males of all ages. [edit] Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia & SingaporeIn these regions the Malay & the Indian Muslim wear the Sarong which also similar to the Lungee. However the term Lungi is not used. [edit] References[edit] See also |
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