Aboriginal Art Polyester Chiffon Short Kaftan

Australia and New Zealand - Aboriginal Peoples

Aboriginal Art Polyester Chiffon Short Kaftan

Sizes: One Size Fits Most to 2XL

Opacity: 1

Sleeve: Cropped

Elasticity: There is no elasticity in this garment, and being a sheer fabric, it should not be pulled or worn tight as it may split if such pressure is placed upon it. Likewise, such sheer fabrics lose their strength when wet, so be careful to hand wash this garment so it does not tear.

The Aboriginal people of Australia are the owners of the oldest continuously lived culture on earth. To date, science has proven the Aboriginal occupation of this land for 65000 years. This is by no means an absolute number, and there is other archaeological evidence that suggests that Aboriginal people may have been living in Australia 100000 years ago. But the Australian climate is not helpful in preserving ancient evidences of human occupation and as such, no conclusive evidence has been found beyond 65000 years.

Like far too many Indigenous peoples around the world, Aboriginal Australians faced disease, ostracism, isolation, discrimination, outright murder and the government controlled attempt to “breed out” their culture during the stolen generation. Yet, even when confronted with such systematic horror, Aboriginal people have maintained their culture. One of the tools that supported the maintenance of this culture was art. As Aboriginal society was an oral society (there were no written languages, only a vast array of spoken languages), Aboriginal people used artistic and scientific tools to support their memorisation of their cultural narratives and knowledges. As such, much Aboriginal art is symbolic as well as topographic and narrative based. One image can tell of a past event, of the behaviours and laws of the local community and of geographical features and landmarks. The meaning of these symbols were then passed down to specific people, via stories and societal elders teaching the community youth. When Aboriginal society was fractured by colonialism, many elders worked hard to pass their knowledge on to any youth they could access. And without the social structures that prioritised personal responsibility, art was an extremely effective tool in ensuring these youth could remember and later recall what they were taught.

Aboriginal communities, particularly those in isolated parts of the country where employment is almost completely absent, have fought hard to protect their culturally informed art forms and to share this art with the world as a way of not only sharing their culture, but also maintaining the symbolic significance of their artistic expressions and ensuring employment for the artists who produce such beautiful and culturally informed work! As such, we only purchase our garments and accessories featuring Aboriginal art from Aboriginal owned businesses or from businesses that pay a living wage in royalties to their artists. This ensures that you as the consumer are not only respecting and enjoying the beauty of Aboriginal culture, but you are protecting the cultural and economic rights of Aboriginal artists and producers.

This sheer polyester chiffon, short sleeved kaftan top is perfect for throwing over swimmers, jeans that may feel a bit snug across your middle or buttocks, or other clothes you feel may cling too tightly to your skin for your modest comfort. It is very sheer material, and you can clearly see the silhouette and possibly the colour of the clothes worn under it. However, the beautiful, symbolic design presented in warm earthy tones reduces the capacity to see colour through this top. This is a beautiful and useful kaftan top to own, as well as being a beautiful gift for a modest dresser visiting Australia.

This kaftan is a One Size Fits Most with it comfortably fitting up to a 2XL