Vista o que quiser mas respeite as regras: uma etnografia sobre práticas e narrativas sobre vestuário, na Cidade Maputo

Abstract

This work analyzes practices and narratives about clothing in the city of Maputo. From the analyzed literature on clothing, I identified two lines of approach, the first of which explains the dynamics of the meanings expressed and reproduced through clothing, and the second explains the organization and classification of clothing practices based on the “proper” rules and values ​​of each context Social. This literature allows us to understand that clothing is a mediator of social relations, and that both clothing and clothing are classified and organized according to the social scheme. However, it remains to understand practices and narratives about clothing that explain the process of dressing in people's daily lives. To better understand these practices and narratives, I carried out an exploratory ethnographic research among a group of people, in the city of Maputo, and from the analysis of the research data I realized that there is a process of establishing rules about dressing through practices and narratives. This process, in the context of the research, started at home and expanded as the participants expanded their spaces for interaction and relationships and, consequently, their horizons about the possibilities of dressing. I also realized that in their daily lives, the participants have the context as a reference to select and organize clothing. By taking the context as a reference, they dress and supervise each other on the observance of dress standards established in the context in which they are inserted. People who dress in a way that don't fit the context are called to respect the rules. These results allow us to understand that the daily process of dressing is guided by various practices and narratives that make it possible to maintain the rule that recommends dressing according to the context, even if people broaden their horizons about the possibilities of dressing (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)