Scare Tactics Scare Tactics - Why are Liberian soldiers wearing fright wigs?

slate.com ^ | 8/1/03 | Mark Scheffler

[Oorang]

I emailed this to my brother who has spent a lot of time (years) throughout Africa, for his job. This was his reply "Don't laugh. This is true - throughout Africa. They really believe this kind of stuff - even today!"

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

They want to grow up to be democrats.

[Seydlitz]

Read Col. Mike Hoare's combat memoir "Congo Mercenary". The superstitions of African tribal warriors can get pretty crazy, and often grim.

[LouD]

Is this one of them?

[Oorang]

Hey, isn't it a little early to be posting that sort of pix? Ewwwwwwwww

[jae471]

According to the soldiers themselves, cross-dressing is a military mind game, a tactic that instills fear in their rivals.

Akin to the Scottish practice of flashing the enemy before a battle?

[50sDad]

Reference: Indian Ghost Dance Shirt ...it proved just about as useful at stopping bullets.

[Oorang]

Thanks for the recommendation. My brother mentioned that book as well. Don't know if I want to read it right away though.

To me the depressing factor is that there are so many people who rely on logical thought so little. How can they actually believe this kind of stuff. I know, different primitive culture, but, it still boggles the mind.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Or is this one?

[newgeezer]

Though the accoutrements and garb look bizarre to Western eyes, they are, in a sense, variations on the camouflage uniforms and face paint American soldiers use to bolster their sense of invisibility (and, therefore, immunity) during combat.

Uh, sure. Kinda like donning a giant SUV for the daily grind gives the commuter a sense of invincibility. ;o)

[aegiscg47]

Add a few AK-47s and it would look like various sections of San Fransisco!

[Riley]

Though the accoutrements and garb look bizarre to Western eyes, they are, in a sense, variations on the camouflage uniforms and face paint American soldiers use to bolster their sense of invisibility (and, therefore, immunity) during combat. Since flak jackets or infrared goggles aren't available to the destitute Liberian fighters, they opt for evening gowns and frilly blouses.

I guess Slate couldn't get a former grunt to fact-check for them.

[Oorang]

Is that a guy?!?

[Zavien Doombringer]

Yes, RuPaul

[biblewonk]

I'm speechless.

[George Smiley]

Scare Tactics Scare Tactics - Why are Liberian soldiers wearing fright wigs?

I think it's that "Queer Eye" show what done it.

[Oorang]

Okay, you lost me. Since I'm not a "former grunt" fill me in, please. Thanks.

[hotpotato]

writes Bill Berkely in The Graves Are Not Yet Full: Race, Tribe and Power in the Heart of Africa.

Went to the Barnes and Noble link on that. The book sounds fascinating.

[Riley]

The author of the article is apparently trying to equate the use of camoflage among Western forces, which has practical value and makes real-world sense with the silly-assed notion that wearing an evening gown will 'confuse the bullets'. Good fieldcraft isn't done to make people 'feel invisible'. It is done to acquire legitimate advantage, even if only a couple of crucial seconds in combat.

One of the two is a rational, thought-out countermeasure taken from years of experince, the other is a ridiculous superstition that is so demonstrably wrong that it should be abandoned after the first engagement. No comparison.