2nd Day of Racial Harmony Week: Costumes!

An array of traditional costumes

Today, the school is really colourful! All my friends came in different costumes, and all of them look so different. Yesterday, Mdm Nora showed us some photos of traditional costumes and today, I see some of my friends wearing them. My best friend, QiQi, was wearing a Cheong Sam. From what I learnt in class and the assembly talk, Cheong Sam is the traditional costume of the Chinese. It used to be widely worn by women, and represents the feminity a woman should possess. I also learnt that Cheong sam was first developed in Shanghai in the 1920s under the influence of Beijing styles then. I think the Cheong sam looks really pretty!

Cheong Sam



During recess, I saw my friend Bala, wearing a Baju Kurung. I see people wearing it when I visit my Malay friends for Hari Raya. I think it is the traditional costume of Malays and Baju Kurungs are normally tailor-made for the whole family using the same piece of fabric. I asked Bala about what he was wearing and he told me that Baju Kurung for the males is actually called a Baju Melayu, and Baju Kurung refers to the costume females wear. I didn't know that!

Baju Melayu

Baju Kurung

Then, during Math class just now, our teacher Mrs Ravi was wearing a very very beautiful Sari! It has many shiny beads on it and a long cloth drapes from one shoulder to the waist. I went to ask Mrs Ravi after class about her Sari, and she told me it is the traditional costume of Indians. Many people in India can be seen wearing the Sari and there are many different ways to drape the cloth of the Sari. Believe it or not, there are  80 recorded ways to wear a Sari! I would really love to try it on one day!

Sari

In conclusion, I really enjoyed Costumes day and have learnt a huge deal from talking to my peers of other races and looking up the information on my own :)