Hirsch: This is usually still before goat and beef the noble version of the real Alpine leather pants. But does that really have to be? If you ask yourself in the city of Gulu in Uganda – and started a project there: locals bought sewing machines and sewed the first lederhosen from the skin of the ankole cow, an African cow with huge horns.
Gulus Mayor Alfred Okwonga presented the Ugandian-Bavarian lederhosen in Munich at an appointment of the Honorary Consul for Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, Wolfgang Wiedmann-a first step for a possible future export.
He visited the Munich Oktoberfest for the first time last year – and was thrilled, says Okwonga. So enthusiastic that he decided to organize such a party at home in Africa.
Short leather pants versus shorts
It should be so far in October. From October 6th to 14th, Okwonga wants to lure 30,000 visitors: inside the first Ugandian Oktoberfest. The mayor of the city, which, according to him, has over 300,000 inhabitants is currently examining: where the beer is supposed to come for the festival.
So that the visitors also get the necessary outfit on site, locals have stuck to work and sewed leather pants. The very first copies were simply leather shorts, says Wiedmann. He sent photos. According to this model, other dummies were created, the real lederhosen, at least from a certain distance, look deceptively similar.
Bavarian expertise meets Ugandian creativity
The managing director of the traditional costume company Angermaier, Axel Munz, took a look at her – and still sees room for improvement. It is a nice idea to make lederhosen in Uganda. Expertise is needed to convey the know-how. “Two experts would have to go down and guide permanently – then it can work,” says Munz.
There is still need for improvement in the leather quality and the processing. However, the models were only sewn by photos. “It looks very good for that.” After all, leather trousers in the Ugandian tradition – although there are a lot of leather there – are unknown. Traditionally, men have a fuss, a long white robe, and women have a Gomesi, a colorful dress.
Ankole instead of Hirsch for the Munich Oktoberfest
If the Oktoberfest costume for Munich in India, China and Sri Lanka is manufactured – why not in Uganda? There are many young people in the African country who were looking for work, says Wiedmann.
The price could also play a role. Handmade embroidery is very expensive in Germany.
According to the traditional costume expert, it takes two years for production to achieve the necessary quality. At least this year there will be no Ugandian lederhosen from ankole cow.