A type of sarong or wraparound skirt worn by men in South and Southeast Asia. It is typically made of cotton or silk and worn as casual or sleeping attire.
From Hindi लुंगी (luṅgī) possibly derived from Malay 'longgyi' or Tamil 'lungi'. The word entered English in the 19th century through British colonial contact with South Asian and Southeast Asian clothing customs. The garment and term spread across the Indian Ocean trade networks.
The lungi traveled across the Indian Ocean with traders and migrants, which is why similar garments with related names exist from India to Myanmar to Malaysia! It's one of the most practical hot-weather garments ever invented, allowing maximum airflow while maintaining modesty.
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