Gumboots

[ . BACK to TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Gumboots

***** Location: Kenya
***** Season: long rains /short rains
***** Category: Humanity

*****************************
Explanation

We would not often call them "rubber boots" in Kenya, as we use the word "rubbers" for an entirely different type of shoe! But perhaps, if we follow the British terminology, we might call them "wellington boots" or even "wellies" -- but gumboots is by far the more common name.

Isabelle Prondzynski




not spelled : gum boots


. . . CLICK here for Photos of "Wellington Boots" !

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


The gumboot dance is an African dance that is performed by dancers wearing Wellington boots.

In South Africa, these are more commonly called gumboots.
The boots may be embellished with bells, so that they ring as the dancers stamp on the ground.
Reference


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


quote
The Wellington boot, also known as rubber-boots, wellies, topboots, gumboots, barnboots, muckboots or rainboots are a type of boot based upon leather Hessian boots.
It was worn and popularised by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. This novel "Wellington" boot then became a fashionable style emulated by the British aristocracy in the early 19th century.

The first Duke of Wellington instructed his shoemaker, Hoby of St. James's Street, London, to modify the 18th-century Hessian boot. The resulting new boot was fabricated in soft calfskin leather, had the trim removed and was cut to fit more closely around the leg. The heels were low cut, stacked around an inch (2.5 centimetres), and the boot stopped at mid-calf. It was suitably hard-wearing for battle, yet comfortable for the evening. The boot was dubbed the Wellington and the name has stuck in British English ever since. The Duke can be seen wearing his namesake boots, which are tasseled, in an 1815 portrait by James Lonsdale.

By the end of the war in 1945, the Wellington had become popular among men, women and children for wet weather wear. The boot had developed to become far roomier with a thick sole and rounded toe. Also, with the rationing of that time, labourers began to use them for daily work.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


*****************************
Worldwide use



*****************************
Things found on the way


*****************************
HAIKU

from the Kenya Saijiki Forum


children in gumboots
jumping in the mud
ouch! the legs stuck

~ Keago (Falcon)



unfurled umbrellas --
heavy raindrops
fall on muddy gumboots

~ Cyprian Awino



gumboots sold
at a very high price --
mud everywhere

~ Brian Mwangi



my sister is back
with muddy shoes and socks --
my gumboots

~ Agnes Adhiambo



muddy gumboots,
umbrellas up the sky --
full tanks

~ Debborah Mocheche



with hoes and spades,
men in gumboots dig the grave --
wet muddy earth

~ Patrick Wafula


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


kids in red
run and play around --
muddy gumboots

teresia njeri


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


long rains --
a school boy wraps his gumboots
in a long trouser

Barrack Elung'ata


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


pupils wash their muddy
gumboots in running water--
drizzly morning

Patrick Wafula


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Your gumboots
and my rubber boots, wading
into a rain pool...

Zhanna P. Rader


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

moonless night
a pair of gumboots
inside the door

- Shared by Stella Pierides -
Joys of Japan, 2012



*****************************
Related words

*****

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::