Prominance Sinomusa Khumalo
In recent times, it has become increasingly common to see women, both young and old, attending church services and funerals dressed in revealing clothing.
This trend has sparked concern among religious and cultural leaders, who argue that such attire is not only disrespectful but also contrary to biblical and cultural African teachings.
The Bible explicitly addresses modesty in dress, warning against immodest attire that can lead to sin and distraction. The book of Timothy 2 verses 9-10, state that;
“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothing, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who claim to be God-fearing.”
“Yes biblical my daughter God says your body is the temple of God. By this it means a person should keep their body covered and clean. And as a woman you have to cover your body that when man sees you they respect your body and they become eager to see what’s covered there. You see that is why STIs are increasing it is because of the dressing these children of nowadays where, by this I mean it is easy for a man to approach a girl or woman wearing skimpy and their aim is to taste what they see because it is advertised but the one with descent dressing are respected and hard to approach”, said MaMpala NaMagi
Similarly, the epistle of Peter book 3 verses 3-4, says:
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
Culturally, modest dressing has long been a sign of respect, humility, and dignity. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers understood the importance of dressing appropriately for religious and cultural events, recognizing that their attire reflected not only their personal character but also their respect for the occasion and those present.
NaMeli supported saying,
“Vele ubunqunu abubukwa mntanami abulethi sizotha noma inhlonipho emuntwini. Akukhetheleki ukuthi umuntu uyaphi. Umuntu mele akwazi ukuzihlonipha loku hlonipha. Thina sasikwazi ukuthi vele nxa usiya emfeni umuntu uyathandela intsaro afake le qhiye ekhanda ahloniphe umuyi kumbe umufi hatshi lokhu okwalezi insuku. Kube kubi kakhulu uma uthi uyamkhuza akutshele ukuthi lokhu okhuluma ngathi ngokwakudala.”
why this nakedness. No one admires a woman who is half dressed. This does not bring respect and dignity. It doesn’t matter where one is going, a woman must respect herself and respect others. Long back we knew that if a woman was to attend a funeral wake, they wrapped a big clothe around them (ntsaru) and also wore a doek as a show of respect to the departed. What is happening nowadays is losing our heritage. It becomes worse when one is chastened and they claim we a no longer loving in the old age.
“Let us return to the path of modesty and humility in our dress. Let us teach our daughters and sisters the value of inner beauty and the importance of dressing with dignity and respect. Only then can we reclaim the lost art of modesty and create a society that values character over physical appearance”, said Mr Robert Nyamudandara.
In contrast, today’s skimpy dressing has become a norm, even in sacred spaces like churches and at solemn events like funerals. It’s a worrying trend that reflects a broader cultural shift away from modesty and humility.
Some may argue that dressing revealingly is a form of self-expression and personal freedom. However, this argument fails to consider the impact on others and the occasion. When we dress immodestly, we draw attention to ourselves, rather than the purpose of the gathering.
Moreover, skimpy dressing can be a distraction, causing others to focus on our physical appearance rather than the spiritual or cultural significance of the event. This is particularly true in religious settings, where the focus should be on worship, reflection, and community, not on individualistic vanity.
It’s time for us to reclaim the value of modesty and dress with respect for ourselves, others, and the occasion. Let us teach our children the importance of dressing appropriately and model the behavior we wish to see in them.
By returning to the path of modesty, we can create a culture that values inner beauty, humility, and respect. A culture where our dress reflects our character and our respect for others.
In conclusion, let us remember the wisdom of 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Even in our dress, we can honor God and show respect for ourselves, others, and the occasion.
Let us dress with dignity and modesty, and create a culture that values the beauty within.
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