Lungi

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A boy in a village of Narail, Bangladesh wearing a lungi with single knot. In the villages of Bangladesh, lungis are typically worn with a short-sleeved shirt, often collared. Around the house and in the streets, the lungi is worn down. While working, particularly as rickshaw-wallahs or in the rice paddies, it is tucked up. Photo from http://laporte.uchicago.edu/india2.htm

The lungi (Bangla: লুঙ্গি) is a garment worn around the waist in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar (formerly Burma). While its origin is found in South Indian culture, it is worn by diverse communities across Southern Asia. It is normally woven from cotton in a variety of designs and colors, though the most popular styles are either solid-colored or plaid. Regardless of the design or color, lungis are often lined at the top and bottom with a black/white stripe. Unlike dhotis, which are linear like sheets, lungis are sewn into a circle like a skirt. Depending on local tradition, lungis can be worn by men and/or women, 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 knot is most popular, since it is least likely to slip or come undone. The lungi is thought to be quite comfortable, as its length can be adjusted rather easily. It is particularly popular in regions where the heat and humidity create an unpleasant climate for trousers.

1 Regional variations
2 See also

[edit] Regional variations

[edit] Bangladesh

The lungi is the most commonly-seen dress of Bangladeshi men, although it is not normally worn on very formal occasions. In Bangladesh, lungis are worn by most men on a daily basis, although elaborately-designed cotton, batik, or silk lungis are also often presented as wedding gifts to the groom. Bengali women do not traditionally wear lungis, although non-Bengali tribal women do wear similar garments in some parts of southeastern Bangladesh. In neighboring West Bengal, the lungi is fast replacing the dhoti as the most popular men's garment for everyday wear. Some Bengali men avoid wearing the lungi, considering it to be too informal or inappropriate, despite the fact that it is both ubiquitous and comfortable.

Despite the fact that the usage of lungi is declining slowly, it is still the most common male attire in rural Bangladesh.

[edit] South India

In Kerala, the lungi is worn by both men and women. It is considered a casual dress or working dress of physical labourers. Lungis are generally colourful, and with varying designs. The plain white version of a lungi is known as a mundu. For more ceremonial occasions (like weddings), mundus often bear a golden embroidery known as kasavu. Lungis are not used during occasions such as weddings or other religious ceremonies. Saffron-coloured mundus are also known as kaavi munde.

Coloured lungi is called munda in central Karnataka. Plain white double folded cloth similar to lungi is called a panche. Panche as opposed to lungi is worn during formal ceremonies. These are also used in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Kerala men folk generally tuck up their mundus or lungis. The bottom of the garment is 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 this fashion it somewhat resembles a kilt, but without pleats.

In Tamil Nadu, only the men wear this garment, and the usage is similar to Kerala's. It is also known as Kaili or Saaram/Chaaram in South Tamilnadu. The VEtti or Veshti, like the mundu, is actually the Indian Dothi worn in a wrap-around fashion here and not to be confused with the lungi.

[edit] Myanmar

In 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] Yemen

In Yemen, the garment is called a Ma'awiis and is worn by males of all ages.

[edit] Somalia

In Somalia, The hoos gunti of Ma'awis is a fixture amongst males. It however is associated more with elder males who wear it with a kuufi baraawe, but is commonly worn by many Somalis while relaxing at home. The traditional colour is plain white, but because of Asian influence and location of Somalia on the Spice Route, colourful Asian-style lunghis have been introduced to the country.