Rungu?

Tim Simmons · 9th May 2022, 07:46 AM

Suit.

RobT · 10th May 2022, 11:26 PM

Tim Simmons,

I am unclear about the meaning of "suit". Could you elaborate? Two things are for certain: One, the suit is certainly holding a showy version of a straight rungu and two, the showy version looks rather small and ineffectual when compared to the examples we posted. That being the case, the question then becomes why someone would hold such an item aloft in such a manner if it didn't symbolically reference a legitimate cultural artifact? By holding his dress club, the suit obviously wants to show strength of leadership and respect for tradition. Would it not be logical to suppose that, in order for the dress version to be symbolically effective, it must represent a traditional form? If the bent head rungu is the only culturally correct type, why isn't the suit holding a dress version of that?

Sincerely,
RobT

kronckew · 11th May 2022, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobT

Tim Simmons,

I am unclear about the meaning of "suit".

Urban Dictionary Link

...as in someone in a suit who doesn't get their hands dirty, a boss, manager, politician, dictator, President-for-life, etc. Like the one in the photo. He appears to be Daniel arap Moi, former president (22 August 1978 – 30 December 2002) of Kenya, A Kikuyu by tribal association.

RobT · 12th May 2022, 02:50 AM

Hi kronckew,

The person in the suit may be all that his attire implies but, what he is holding and the talismanic manner in which he is holding it, says that he wants his audience to believe that underneath the fancy clothing, he is one of them and, if the sophistication that is part and parcel of the stage he occupies, were to be stripped away, his core aspirations for the people are the same as they have for themselves. The suit holds that club to show that he can be trusted to be all the voters want in a leader. So, the question remains, if the club doesn't have a valid, traditional shape, how can it impart the image that the person holding it is trying to convey? Perhaps the shape is traditional with the Kikuyu, not the Maasai?

Sincerely,
RobT

kronckew · 12th May 2022, 07:40 AM

[QUOTE=RobT;271833]Hi kronckew,

... Perhaps the shape is traditional with the Kikuyu, not the Maasai?
.../QUOTE]

Maybe we should say 'East African'. Stuff gets traded and moves around easily.

p.s. - Had coffee with my retired Zimbabwean neighbours yesterday, mentioned the photo, they never heard of Daniel. (They looked him up on Google on their smart phone. Still didn't ring any bells.)

They left Z a few years back after losing their farm and everything. One of their siblings & children still there visited the UK for a week, and went home Tues. Luckily, they also have relatives here in the UK as a support group.

Decorative Batons as symbols of power for leaders, military & civil, have been around for millennia.

A Roman Senatorial baton for a Legion's commanding Legate: It appears to be, like Danny's, made of ivory with gold trim.

9th May 2022, 07:46 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Suit. Attached Images

10th May 2022, 11:26 PM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 548	Suit? Tim Simmons, I am unclear about the meaning of "suit". Could you elaborate? Two things are for certain: One, the suit is certainly holding a showy version of a straight rungu and two, the showy version looks rather small and ineffectual when compared to the examples we posted. That being the case, the question then becomes why someone would hold such an item aloft in such a manner if it didn't symbolically reference a legitimate cultural artifact? By holding his dress club, the suit obviously wants to show strength of leadership and respect for tradition. Would it not be logical to suppose that, in order for the dress version to be symbolically effective, it must represent a traditional form? If the bent head rungu is the only culturally correct type, why isn't the suit holding a dress version of that? Sincerely, RobT

12th May 2022, 02:50 AM	#4
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 548	Not one of the polli, eh? Hi kronckew, The person in the suit may be all that his attire implies but, what he is holding and the talismanic manner in which he is holding it, says that he wants his audience to believe that underneath the fancy clothing, he is one of them and, if the sophistication that is part and parcel of the stage he occupies, were to be stripped away, his core aspirations for the people are the same as they have for themselves. The suit holds that club to show that he can be trusted to be all the voters want in a leader. So, the question remains, if the club doesn't have a valid, traditional shape, how can it impart the image that the person holding it is trying to convey? Perhaps the shape is traditional with the Kikuyu, not the Maasai? Sincerely, RobT

12th May 2022, 07:40 AM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	[QUOTE=RobT;271833]Hi kronckew, ... Perhaps the shape is traditional with the Kikuyu, not the Maasai? .../QUOTE] Maybe we should say 'East African'. Stuff gets traded and moves around easily. p.s. - Had coffee with my retired Zimbabwean neighbours yesterday, mentioned the photo, they never heard of Daniel. (They looked him up on Google on their smart phone. Still didn't ring any bells.) They left Z a few years back after losing their farm and everything. One of their siblings & children still there visited the UK for a week, and went home Tues. Luckily, they also have relatives here in the UK as a support group. Decorative Batons as symbols of power for leaders, military & civil, have been around for millennia. A Roman Senatorial baton for a Legion's commanding Legate: It appears to be, like Danny's, made of ivory with gold trim. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 12th May 2022 at 08:03 AM.