Mayotte is 95% Muslim, but there’s one thing to be said for women’s fashion here – it’s far from drab. Though some of the younger women wear the standard western jeans and tee-shirt, most still go for the salouva, the traditional, brightly coloured costume which may or may not be worn with a headscarf, or kishali. This gives rise to a certain confusion in schools, where under French law, ‘ostentatious religious symbols’ are forbidden. These include the Muslim headscarf, which in its dull, dark, austere version is banned, but worn as a bright, colourful kishali is tolerated. The reasoning seems to be that colours = moderate, dull = extreme. There may well be an element of truth in that – the minority of extremists who every so often feel they have to kill other people don’t seem to think that life is much to be enjoyed. Given the choice, I certainly prefer a religion that glows. But as making colours a criterion in the statute book might prove tricky, the confusion is likely to continue.
In the meantime, Mayotte celebrated its tradition recently with a salouva competition.
Contestants await to parade in their salouva
If you feel like scrolling through the 160 photos, you can vote here for your favourite:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.839038216135217.1073742082.164350783603967&type=1
How can you ask me to pick a favourite? They all look stunning, so lovely and colourful 🙂
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Indeed, it’s impossible! I have no idea what the criterion should be – as your say, they all seem equally beautiful to me.
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Forgive my ignorance: ) Where is Mayotte?
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It’s in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique. Not really ognorance on your part – few people in France could say where it is with much certainty!
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From your pictures it looks interesting. I follow your blog.
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Thank you, William. I am also following your schoolmaster text with interest.
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Thanks. I haven’t had much time to focus on it lately but I plan on continuing the story on a platform called Channillo.com
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I look forward to it.
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