Page 28 - All About History - Issue 27-15

Tourism

PITHHELMET
PRACTISING SAFE SUN
ApithhelmetwouldprotectpastyEdwardiansfrom
theharshAfricansun,withitssmallpeaksatthefront
and back. This form of headgear was the rage among
allEuropeancolonialpowersduringthelate-19thand
early-20th centuries. They were khaki-coloured for
OUTFIT
camouflage ever since the Anglo-Zulu War.
FUNCTION BEFORE FASHION
ELEPHANTGUN The shirt or bush jacket is
of military origins, designed
THE WEAPON OF CHOICE for warm climates to
protect against the sun and
Wild animals could pose a threat wind. They were made of
to the ‘white hunter’, especially if lightweight materials such as
they decided to charge. To stop cotton or linen – essential for
elephants, rhinos and other creatures keeping cool – and the tan or
in their tracks, the elephant gun was khaki colour kept the hunters
developed. This large-calibre rifle was camouflaged from their prey.
extremely powerful, but very heavy.

AMMUNITION BELT
ALWAYS PACKING HEAT
Inaperiodofpeace,theEdwardian
on safari had something to prove. The
gentleman became a gun-toting big
game hunter. An ammunition belt was
worn around the waist or across the
body for access to more bullets during
a long pursuit.

THE

Anatomy

of

ANEDWARDIAN The Brownie camera, made by
CAMERA
PORTRAIT OF A KILLER

ONSAFARI Eastman Kodak, was released at
the start of the Edwardian era
and became hugely popular. They
were used to take photos of the
white hunter posing over his kill
as a trophy, bringing whole new
THE GENTLEMAN DRESSED TO KILL meaning to the word ‘snapshot’.
AFRICA, 1909-1910

THEFINESTPORT
SHOES ONE FOR THE ROAD

Refusing to leave their upper-class
SUITED AND BOOTED FOR ACTION lifestyle behind, the white hunters
Tall leather lace-up boots were popular arranged their tents to resemble
for trekking through the African bush, drawing rooms and packed plenty
providing much-needed protection of alcohol and food for the trip, from
from insects and other flesh-nipping plum pudding to Quaker oats. Free
from society’s rules, safari camps
critters. Tucked into them would be a
© Kevin McGivern pair of tan jodhpurs that were tightly were notorious for debauched
behaviour come sundown.
fitted at the ankle.
28