Notes on Afghanistan(mattlakeman.org)
mattlakeman.org
Notes on Afghanistan
https://mattlakeman.org/2026/01/05/notes-on-afghanistan/
5 comments
Isn't it ironic that many world cultures wear garments that Westerners mock and belittle as feminine "dresses"? I mean, even kilts for Scotsmen?
It is very interesting to learn that the evolution of Roman Catholic vestments for priests began when the priests wore the same thing that other men of their class wore, but while fashions and cultures changed around them, the priests just kept wearing the same thing as always.
Likewise, for many nuns and sisters, they would dress modestly according to the local customs, and becoming standardized these were "habits", and stayed the same as the other fashions got updated.
This is why Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta modeled her institute's habits after the typical poor Hindu's sari. It was really going back to basics for them!
It is very interesting to learn that the evolution of Roman Catholic vestments for priests began when the priests wore the same thing that other men of their class wore, but while fashions and cultures changed around them, the priests just kept wearing the same thing as always.
Likewise, for many nuns and sisters, they would dress modestly according to the local customs, and becoming standardized these were "habits", and stayed the same as the other fashions got updated.
This is why Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta modeled her institute's habits after the typical poor Hindu's sari. It was really going back to basics for them!
> Isn't it ironic that many world cultures wear garments that Westerners mock and belittle as feminine "dresses"? I mean, even kilts for Scotsmen?
Especially when Eastern and Balkan Europeans were wearing similar clothes barely 60-70 years ago.
Doesn't matter - now they want an FTA [0] and Defense Pact [1] with those same non-western countries, and solicit non-western funding for infrastructure [2] and defense [3].
[0] - https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/india-...
[1] - https://www.reuters.com/world/india/eu-proceed-security-defe...
[2] - https://www.lagazzettamarittima.it/2025/10/30/rixi-in-india-...
[3] - https://geetha.mil.gr/kyklos-synomilion-staff-talks-kai-ypog...
Especially when Eastern and Balkan Europeans were wearing similar clothes barely 60-70 years ago.
Doesn't matter - now they want an FTA [0] and Defense Pact [1] with those same non-western countries, and solicit non-western funding for infrastructure [2] and defense [3].
[0] - https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/india-...
[1] - https://www.reuters.com/world/india/eu-proceed-security-defe...
[2] - https://www.lagazzettamarittima.it/2025/10/30/rixi-in-india-...
[3] - https://geetha.mil.gr/kyklos-synomilion-staff-talks-kai-ypog...
I am sorry -- what in the world do your comments on "infrastructure and defense", and those four links, have to do with garments?
I find the lens of orientalism that is constantly effused in every Matt Lakeman "Notes on" post to be infuriating. It's something I strongly dislike about inauthentic attempts to deep dive into a culture of society. We have our own izat as well.
Kurta
> with a scarf that could be used for warmth, covering his face from the sun, or blocking out dust/sand
Pattu/Shaal
> In a lot of post-2021 accounts, travellers say that the Taliban they encountered were extremely friendly
A lot of that was either PR or non-Firangi.