ress but decorated themselves with feathers, flowers, etc.[1468]
Papuans on the Fly River fasten things through the nose and hang
objects around the neck. Some wear a pubic shell, but most have
not even that.[1469] On the island of New Britain both sexes are
unclothed, although tapa cloth in very beautiful patterns is made
on the island for other purposes.[1470] On the Banks Islands the
men wear nothing, although they formerly made very beautiful
dresses which were worn in the dance.[1471] Some of the Indians
on the Shingu wear necklaces and ear pendants, but nothing
else.[1472]

+463. The evolution of dress.+ The above-mentioned girdle with
objects hanging from it turned from an ornament into a garment
when it became a kilt of fringed grass or leather. Arab women
wore the girdle of thongs with lappets until it was superseded by
a kilt of leather cut into a fringe. The primitive apron of the
ancient Egyptians was continued underneath the later more
elaborate dress. The ancient primitive dress got a sacred
character and was worn by everybody, whatever else he wore. It
was worn by girls, by women monthly, and also, "it is said, by
worshipers at the Caaba." Then the ancient thongs and lappets got
the character of amulets.[1473] In some Papuan tribes those who
had learned all the religious secrets were allowed to wear the
girdle as a sign of honor and dignity.[1474] Sometimes a skin or
mat is worn hanging from the waist behind. It really is worn to
be sat upon, upon occasion. Nothing else is worn.[1475] In this
case, and in some of those mentioned above from Central Africa, a
consciousness is sometimes manifested that there is something to
conceal, and a posture or mode of walking is adopted which
accomplishes the concealment. Amongst the Ja-luo (northeast
corner of Lake Victoria) both sexes when unmarried go naked. A
man, when he is a father, wears a cape of goatskin "inadequate
for decency." Married women wear only a "tail of strings
behind."[1476] The Nandi wear clothing "only for warmth or
adornment, not for purposes of decency."[1477] The Acholi, in
Uganda, think it beneath masculine dignity to wear
anything.[1478] The Vanyoro men are generally clothed in skins.
The women, until marriage, wear nothing; after marriage, bark
cloth. The Bari men never wear anything. They think it womanish
to do so. The unmar