Moderator: “In many Indigenous cultures, nudity was not just accepted - it was part of daily life. What can we learn from traditions that still exist today?"

Responder: “For many Indigenous cultures around the world, social nudity was not merely accepted - it was the norm. Unlike in many modern societies, where nudity has been largely confined to private spaces, numerous Indigenous groups have historically lived with minimal or no clothing, shaped by environmental conditions, spiritual beliefs and cultural traditions. From rainforests of South America to deserts of Africa and islands in the Pacific, body freedom was a natural part of daily life.”

• Moderator: “How have Indigenous Amazonian groups historically embraced body freedom?"

Responder: “In the Amazon rainforest, tribes such as Yanomami and Tupi lived in harmony with their environment, wearing little or no clothing. For these groups, nudity was practical in the hot, humid climate and was never associated with shame or immorality. Instead of garments, they adorned their bodies with paint, feathers and beads, variously signifying social status, spiritual protection or tribal affiliation.”

• Moderator: “What role did social nudity play in Aboriginal cultures?”

Responder: “Across the vast landscapes of Australia, many Aboriginal groups traditionally lived without clothing, instead relying on body paint, ceremonial decorations and practical coverings such as cloaks made from animal skins in cooler regions. The practice of social nudity was deeply embedded in cultural traditions, particularly in rituals, storytelling and ceremonies, where painted designs carried deep ancestral significance.”

• Moderator: “How have traditional African communities approached nudity?”

Responder: “In arid regions of southern Africa, San people - one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures - traditionally wore minimal clothing, with adornments made of beads, leather and natural pigments. Similarly, Himba people of Namibia continue to embrace semi-nudity, covering their bodies with a mixture of ochre and butterfat to protect from sun whilst emphasising cultural identity.”

• Moderator: “How did indigenous Pacific Islanders view the human body?”

Responder: “In tropical islands of Pacific, social nudity was historically widespread. In Samoa, Tahiti and Hawaii, traditional dress often consisted of skirts made from plant fibres, whilst upper body remained uncovered for both men and women. Nudity was not considered indecent but was instead a natural state of being, closely linked to spiritual and communal practices. Tattoos, body paint and adornments played a central role in self-expression and cultural identity.”

• Moderator: “What impact did colonialism have on traditional nudity norms?”

Responder: “Despite the deep cultural significance of indigenous naturism, colonial powers often viewed these practices through a lens of moral superiority, imposing Western dress codes as a means of control. Missionaries and colonial administrators forcibly clothed Indigenous peoples, associating nudity with primitiveness and immorality. In many cases, traditional ways of life - including body freedom - were suppressed in favour of imposed cultural norms, marking a turning point in global attitudes toward naturism."