Story of Herero Dress

"You'll wear six layers? I'll just go for four." Two Herero women in Namibia are discussing the number of petticoats that they want to wear beneath their traditional, brightly coloured Herero dresses. For the women, it's a ritual that's wrapped up in feminine pride, the desire to please men with an extra petticoat for a curvy behind, and especially their identity as Herero women. The colonial past plays an important role in this. In just five minutes, this film by the South African director Vincent Moloi shows all the cultural and historical layers that are hidden beneath the cheery dresses. Against the backdrop of the worldwide debate over Muslim women and the burka, offers a refreshing look at women who are proud to wear their traditional clothing, with no pressure from men whatsoever.