Melania Trump draws flak online for wearing pith helmet in Kenya, a symbol associated with colonial opression

The pith helmets were worn by European explorers and imperial administrators in Africa, parts of Asia and the Middle East in the 19th century before being adopted by military officers, rapidly becoming a symbol of status – and oppression.

By: Trends Desk
New Delhi | October 6, 2018 02:38 PM IST

6 min read

US First Lady took a asafari tour in Nairobi National Park in Kenya wearing a pith helmet. (Source: AP)

First Lady Melania Trump is currently on her maiden solo visit to Africa. And the FLOTUS has riled people with her choice of clothing. During a safari in Kenya, Trump donned a crisp white shirt, khaki pants and high-boots and paired her outfit with a white pith helmet which many claimed is “evocative of colonialists”, something that did not go down well on social media.

While visiting the Nairobi National Park in Kenya, she was seen touring in an open-air vehicle, taking photos on her iPhone of zebras, giraffes, impalas, rhinos and hippos and feeding baby elephants. Things done by most tourists and dignitaries visiting the national parks.

“Pith helmets — so-called because they are made of the material sholapith – were worn by European explorers and imperial administrators in Africa, parts of Asia and the Middle East in the 19th century before being adopted by military officers, rapidly becoming a symbol of status – and oppression,” Guardian reported.

“That pith helmet you have carried was used by colonialists during the dark days. Doesn’t sit well with us Africans. Who advised you?” Pauleen Mwalo from Nairobi said on Twitter. While others asked how could be so “ignorant” an “tone deaf”.

https://twitter.com/screw_civility/status/1048464490197651456

https://twitter.com/Helenhs/status/1048467880273174529

https://twitter.com/owenbarder/status/1048182942030340099
https://twitter.com/kopalo/status/1048177839483305984
https://twitter.com/DanaSchwartzzz/status/1048317492412669952

With #FLOTUSinAfricaBingo many are documenting her ‘tone-deaf fashion’ and stereotypes choices.
https://twitter.com/texasinafrica/status/1048189663733850114
https://twitter.com/texasinafrica/status/1048194168315678721
https://twitter.com/texasinafrica/status/1048248556291850240
https://twitter.com/texasinafrica/status/1047909358334627842

Earlier in June, she was criticised for wearing the “I really don’t care. Do U?” jacket on the way to visit detained migrant children in Texas, as well as wearing heels to meet hurricane victims.

Trump is in Africa on a four-nation tour, with plans to visit Egypt this weekend after stops in Ghana, Malawi and Kenya.

From the homepage