Costa Rican Kilt

[SebastianQuaker]

For a while now I've engaged in learning about the culture of scotland and celtdom in general. I've started to practice my brogue and learning some gaidhlig as best i can using internet resources. I've for a while worn tartan/plaid shirts in a kilted manner not being able to find tartan here in Costa Rica other than maybe a plaid flannel. I've had trouble coping with some of the discouraging comments i get from people who expect me to be ethnically scottish, or who pretend it to be a requirement to wear a kilt, also i've been harrassed by homophobes and so i've had to struggle in order to dress as I feel. I've heard many stories about scots getting violent(as a quaker i am a non violent non confrontational pacifist) at people who wear their clan's tartan without being part of it or having the same surname eventhough the tartan-surname tradition was made up by the scottish society of london in the 19th century and thus is bogus to the historical roots of the original celtic dress code which was not just a "highland" thing. I don't see how cultural diffusion can be insulting to a dying community, in the same manner i wish to learn gaelic to keep a culture alive although i don't have any ancestors belonging to that culture, i don't see how my wearing a kilt could be offensive to anyone who appreciates outer interest on such culture. I'd appreciate any stories on kilt personal experience and or encouragement.

[SebastianQuaker]

Also I'd like to ask on what regulations there are for someone to make their own woven pattern and assign it to their own family, or wether this is possible at all, i am not of scottish/irish/manx/cornish/welsh descent but latin american rather and yet i've always fancied moving to Alba eventually.

[Robin]

Welcome!

If you want to wear a kilt...wear it!

On this forum you can find all the information you need and you will notice this is a cheerful and supportive community.

You're free to design your own tartan, but you can also (less complicated) use "general" tartans, district tartans and even clan tartans if you like.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

If you want to design your own tartan, and even have it recorded by the Scottish Tartans Authority, there is no rule that says you have to be Scottish.

The STA recently recorded a Lopez tartan! I'm working on a design for someone of German descent named Mehrtens right now.

At least one South American country has its own tartan -- Argentina.

So it can be done!
Matt

[Southern Breeze]

Welcome aboard. Wear your kilt with pride. :-D

[mbhandy]

Welcome to the board,

You can expect all kinds of comments but don't worry stand proud. Remember: IT TAKES A REAL MAN TO WEAR A KILT.

Costa Rica, Last time I was down there it was hot and humid not to comfortable for a traditional.

Enjoy the Freedom, :-D

MrBill

[Jewddha]

All I know is that I wish I had been wearing kilts when I was down in Costa Rica!

[Colin]

For a while now I've engaged in learning about the culture of scotland and celtdom in general. I've started to practice my brogue and learning some gaidhlig as best i can using internet resources. I've for a while worn tartan/plaid shirts in a kilted manner not being able to find tartan here in Costa Rica other than maybe a plaid flannel. I've had trouble coping with some of the discouraging comments i get from people who expect me to be ethnically scottish, or who pretend it to be a requirement to wear a kilt, also i've been harrassed by homophobes and so i've had to struggle in order to dress as I feel. I've heard many stories about scots getting violent(as a quaker i am a non violent non confrontational pacifist) at people who wear their clan's tartan without being part of it or having the same surname eventhough the tartan-surname tradition was made up by the scottish society of london in the 19th century and thus is bogus to the historical roots of the original celtic dress code which was not just a "highland" thing. I don't see how cultural diffusion can be insulting to a dying community, in the same manner i wish to learn gaelic to keep a culture alive although i don't have any ancestors belonging to that culture, i don't see how my wearing a kilt could be offensive to anyone who appreciates outer interest on such culture. I'd appreciate any stories on kilt personal experience and or encouragement.

One of our former Vancouver kilts night regulars now lives in Costa Rica. He used to wear the kilt quite regularly and was always a favourite of the ladies. Vic is Canadian from Mexican parents. Here he is (the one in the red shirt) ** notice a certain International kilt celeb in the middle

Welcome to the board. It is nice to see that we are getting more and more international.

[Riverkilt]

The good news Sebastian is that the least expensive kilts are also the lightest weight..and there are many to choose from.

I live in a small redneck town full of Mormons, Navajos, and not-well-educated Anglos. Had some up front comments, but the more you wear the kilt and people get used to you kilted the comments dwindle.

After a while, coping with comments becomes second nature.

I would bet your common sense of air conditioning your boys in the Costa Rica humidity would catch on.

Do I recall correctly that the Costa Rican flag is white and blue? There are kilts in those colors. Was a thread a few weeks ago for the blue and white in the Greek flag. You could be patriotic

Ron

[GMan]

SebastianQuaker,

Welcome F/friend, we do have many things in common. The support here is great to me another kilt loving and wearing, pacifist, gay, Quaker, who is for the rights of all people.

Being on this board is such a wonderful experience. I seem to be learning things every time I log in. The advice that Matt Newsome gave you is wonderful, as he is one of the MANY knowledgeable persons on this board.

For what it is worth, my heritage is Celtic, but I am learning about the cultures of Central and South America, as you know we are all connected.

Again WELCOME.