Daily Trust - the online edition

The era when it was a big issue if women wore trousers seems to be gradually fading away and more people are coming to terms with the fashion trend. But in fairness to the women folk, this contentious issue of whether a woman should wear trousers or not is about the same as questioning if a man should wear jewellery like a necklace on him because ordinarily it is a strictly feminine piece used to accessorise an outfit.

So let us take the spotlight off the women for a while and focus on some of our men who are inclined to exploring their much softer side by adorning their broad necks with the piece of jewellery called necklace. Should men like their female counterparts wear necklaces? Is it a piece of jewellery that cuts across gender and should it be a contentious issue if a man decides to compliment his outfit with a necklace?

It will interest readers to know that both men and women have worn necklaces through out history, they consisted of gold or beads and of various qualities and shapes. Necklaces of gold accessorised with gems were worn by the Greeks and Romans of both sexes.

Even in the bible there are instances that indicate that men wore jewellery. The earliest mention of them occurs in Genesis chapter 42 where we are told that it formed part of the investiture of Joseph in Egypt. A later instance occurs in Daniel from which we learn that it was part of a dress

In Nigeria where people are still generally conservative with their fashion sense spotting a man wearing a necklace can send a wrong impression to the observing party. In the court of opinion what is the feeling of people about men who wear necklaces?

Although Michael as a personal choice does not wear necklaces he does not to judge men like him who have chosen to wear them.

‘If they like let them wear. I personally do not like wearing necklaces. I just wear my wrist watch and that is it.’

He, however, warns that in the future he just might change his mind.

‘Who knows? I might see it in the market and buy the one I like someday but in all honesty it is not an issue.’ He said

Should men who wear necklaces be labelled negatively? Michael shakes his head in the negative vigorously.

‘No! I think it is a free world everyone has the right to do whatever he deems fit. As a Christian I try my best not to disobey God and so as long as what I am doing is not against the law of God then it is okay.’

Consider a man who thinks every man has a feminine side he needs to explore, then that person is Monday as he chooses to puts it, "necklaces bring out the beauty of a man."

"I wear necklaces depending on the dress I want to put on. If I wear corporate attire I never forget to compliment it with a gold necklace. I am dressed for the site now as an engineer that is why I am not wearing one now but when I am dressed for an occasion I will never leave the house without my necklace." He confessed.

He firmly disagrees that the necklace is strictly for women.

‘Men are not competing with women so since it’s a fashionable accessory it is meant for both men and women.’

Sometimes we hold on to certain objects because they were given to us by a loved one or it reminds us of a special person in our lives. Ifeanyi could not resist accepting the gift of a necklace from his girlfriend when she presented it to him and two years on he wears it every morning faithfully to remind him of that bond that connects both of them.

‘I didn’t buy this necklace with my money my girlfriend gave it to me and the gold is fine that is why I like it. I have been wearing this necklace for over two years now. In the olden days women did not wear trousers but for a very long time men have worn and continue to wear necklaces.’ He argues.

Suleiman disapproves of men who wear necklaces and labels anyone who does so as ‘unserious’.

‘Necklaces do not look nice on men and since they look feminine it betrays our manliness. We have always known necklaces as jewellery for women so any man trying to copy them is very unserious. I can never wear it.’ He said.

Ikechukwu also shares these sentiments with Suleiman and his reasons go thus:

"I don’t like necklaces, they are for women only, so we should stop men from wearing them. If my wife buys me a necklace I will not wear it I will rather sell it off to buy something else."

Do not for once think the women’s opinions were not considered. Indeed any thoughtful man not only dresses to please himself alone but his spouse, female colleagues or friends so for the women, is a man who wears necklace a thumbs up or a thumbs down?

When Murjanatu sights a man wearing a necklace she is ready to find the exit door. According to her it is indeed an absurd act.

"I don’t think men should wear necklaces. I am easily irritated when I see any man wearing one. If my man wears a necklace I will definitely remove it from him."

"I am a Muslim and from the Islamic point of view I don’t think it is right men should wear ladies’ jewellery. Sometimes whenever I see someone wearing it I just conclude that he may be a cult member."

Blessing has no aversions for gold necklaces but beads are a no go area for her.

‘I don’t like beads just gold necklaces because it compliments their outfit. I can buy a gold chain for my boyfriend.’ She admits.

Sometimes people tend to take a religious stand point where fashion is involved. A pastor of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries has this to say:

"There are several accounts in the bible where the adornment of metallic objects like gold, silver and other adornments are mentioned. From the biblical point of view there is no particular account that particularly says men or women should not wear. But most of the accounts that have been given like when Aaron asked the children of Israel to bring materials for a molten calf it was men and women that brought materials which goes to show that men at the time could have been wearing necklaces."

He is however, quick to warn that even if it seems there is no specific place in the bible where men are told not to wear jewellery ,the church does not encourage it.

"Spiritually we do not encourage it because most of these materials have been defiled. We believe it is a waste for a woman to wear jewellery and it just makes matters worse if it is a man. A man who wears gold or silver is not a serious Christian because if he was heavenly minded he will be thinking of more serious things."

He quoted 1Peter 3:3, Gen. 35:1-9 to support his position.

"Our weddings we do not wear rings. For instance in exodus it was said that when a slave is bought he should be brought to the door and his or her ears should be punctured. In our church we believe that the puncturing of the ear signifies slavery."

Mallam Sadiq Abubakar is an Islamic scholar who says though the Holy Quran is silent on the issue the Hadith is not.

‘The Hadith in Kirab Kabad, a very sound Hadith reported by a great companion of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SWT) No 33 is relevant to this issue. The Hadith which was reported by Abdullahi Ibn Ruma said the messenger of Allah said it is forbidden and prohibited for men to use decorated items or items that are used by women as adornments. It is also equally forbidden for women to use what men use as adornment.’

He also said the Hadith made specific mention of necklaces and jewellery in general.

‘Considering the Hadith one should know that for men to use necklaces and jewelleries are forbidden in Islam. However, it is allowed for both men and women to use finger rings. Men should however not wear gold rings but women can use gold because it enhances their beauty.’ He said.

This discuss reminds one of the popular saying ‘one man’s food is another man’s poison’. Whether we like it or not as long as individuals defer, our sense of fashion must defer also.