Mu'umu'u
The mu'umu'u ( cut off, shortened in Hawaiian , IPA: / ˈmumu ; also mu'umu'u, muumuu ) is a traditional Hawaiian dress. It is loose and cut neither with a waistband nor in any other form-fitting and therefore hangs down from the shoulders. The name is derived from the fact that the collar was left out in the past, as well as from the short sleeves. In contrast, the hemmed dress called holokū ( Mother Hubbard dress) always has a collar and usually a train.
Originally brought to Polynesia by missionaries to cover the bare chests of female residents who wore a paʻu , the traditional muʻumuʻu is now considered a holdover from the Victorian era . Over time, lighter materials were used to make the dresses, such as cotton , which is brightly dyed and decorated with floral patterns.
Web links
- Paideusis - Journal for Interdisciplinary and Cross-Cultural Studies ( Memento of February 4, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) (English, access: September 20, 2008)
- What is a Muumuu? at Wisegeek.com (English, accessed September 20, 2008)