THOSE WERE THE DAYS...

                         A F R I C A

SUITABLE TRAVEL ATTIRE ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF R.C.F. MAUGHAN 100 YEARS AGO IN HIS BOOK "WILD GAME IN ZAMBEZIA" !
"For marching, or daylight work nothing, to my mind, is so satisfactory as a shirt or "jumper" of improved khaki-coloured, sun-resisting cloth, about the same thickness as good quality khaki, the same colour, and worn over a cotton or silk-and-cotton under-shirt; with this a pair of easy buttonless breeches, fashioned somewhat after the style of football knickers, of the same material, will be found very comfortable, and are secured by a stout belt provided with a small pouch for carrying a lancet, a small quantity of permanganate of potassium in case of snake-bite, and other small necessaries.  The extremities should be clothed in putties and light but well-made ankle boots.  The "jumper" should be made with a pad 3 or 4 inches wide down the back to protect the spine from the sun; it should be collarless, provided with waterproof pockets.  As soon as the wearer's arms are able to bear the sun's rays without discomfort, he should get out his scissors from a well-furnished housewife, and cut off the sleeves above the elbow. "

R.C.F. Maughan
"Wild Game in Zambezia" 
Published in 1914

There will be more on the suitable evening attire for the travelling man who ventures out into the African bush, in future blogs!! 

Posted by Anne Gordon on Friday, 16th March, 2012