Moderator: “Before outside influences reshaped perceptions of modesty, many African cultures embraced body freedom as a way of life.”

Responder: “Before arrival of external colonial forces, African societies developed diverse approaches to dress, largely shaped by climate, cultural traditions and social organisation. In many regions, particularly in warm and tropical climates, nudity or minimal clothing was the norm, seen as practical, natural and free from moral stigma. The imposition of external religious and colonial dress codes significantly altered these norms, leading to a transformation in the perception of modesty across the continent.”

• Moderator: “What did traditional clothing norms look like before outside influences?”

Responder: “Across pre-colonial Africa, social nudity was common in many cultures, particularly in communities where clothing served more symbolic or ceremonial functions rather than as a constant necessity. In regions such as West Africa, Central Africa and the Sahel, both men and women frequently wore simple garments, loincloths or beaded adornments rather than full-body coverings. Body decoration - through scarification, tattoos and elaborate jewellery - often held greater cultural significance than textiles.

Among groups such as the San people of southern Africa, the Himba of Namibia and various West African societies, nudity or semi-nudity was an expression of identity, comfort and tradition. In some communities, clothing was primarily used for special occasions, such as initiations, weddings and spiritual rituals, rather than for everyday wear.”

• Moderator: “How did foreign powers impose dress codes on Indigenous peoples?”

Responder: “With the spread of Islam, Christianity and European colonial rule, African attitudes toward nudity underwent a dramatic transformation. Islamic expansion into North and West Africa introduced dress codes that emphasised covering the body, particularly for women. While African societies had their own traditions of modesty and dress, external influences reinforced stricter norms and penalised practices of social nudity that had been previously accepted.

Christian missionaries and colonial authorities viewed indigenous dress customs as "immodest" and sought to enforce European-style clothing as a sign of "civilisation." The covering of the body became an imposed moral expectation, rather than a choice based on climate or cultural tradition."

• Moderator: “Have any communities retained traditional dress and nudity norms?”

Responder: “Despite colonial pressures, many African communities resisted these changes, maintaining traditional clothing and nudity customs in rural and isolated regions. Today, the Himba people continue to practice semi-nudity, using ochre paste to protect their skin rather than adopting full-body coverings. Similarly, certain initiation rites across Africa still involve traditional forms of undress, reflecting deep-rooted beliefs in the natural body.

Modern African societies continue to grapple with these histories, as post-colonial movements seek to reclaim indigenous identities and challenge imposed dress codes. The ongoing tension between traditional African expressions of identity and Western-influenced norms of modesty highlights the lasting impact of colonialism on cultural practices."