04-25-2022, 08:29 PM
Where better to start...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_reenactment
I notice that a lot of them seem to be very interested in history, they seem to be historians who took it all a step further and are perhaps a little bit more creative and interesting (individually) than your typical "boring" history professor might be.
They also seem to really get off on making their own period items... like in Safiya's video where the women were making their own rouges and other beauty potions that were popular during the era. There's passion behind this... they don't do it because it's a 'job', they care about it. So why do they have this attraction to certain historical eras? What causes it? How does it come about and why?
Again... this is a quality that people have exhibited all throughout time, even back when "history" was new. What is the psychology behind this? Is it deeper than psychology? Is it spiritual? Is it karmic? And if it were karmic, what would be the purpose, what could be accomplished by a life devoted to reenactment??
It IS romanticism... it is VERY close to what most people would consider "love" to be.
Aha, so there are ranks of reenactors. Here in the "Mainstream" category, we start to get into the deeper levels of devotion.
So let's see how deep the rabbit hole goes...
Okay so as we can see, just like in ANYTHING else that involves people... there's a certain sector of snobby and haughty personalities who take things VERY seriously and would criticize inaccuracy in an exacting and cliquey way.
These immersive progressive reenactors are the ones I think I've come across the most, at least in real life. I saw these people taking their "job" VERY seriously... to them, it was a way of life.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_reenactment
Quote:While historical reenactors are generally amateurs, some participants are members of armed forces or historians. The participants, called reenactors, often do research on the equipment, uniform, and other gear they will carry or use. Reenactors buy the apparel or items they need from specialty stores or make items themselves.
I notice that a lot of them seem to be very interested in history, they seem to be historians who took it all a step further and are perhaps a little bit more creative and interesting (individually) than your typical "boring" history professor might be.
They also seem to really get off on making their own period items... like in Safiya's video where the women were making their own rouges and other beauty potions that were popular during the era. There's passion behind this... they don't do it because it's a 'job', they care about it. So why do they have this attraction to certain historical eras? What causes it? How does it come about and why?
Quote:Activities related to "reenactment" have a long history. The Romans staged recreations of famous battles within their amphitheaters as a form of public spectacle. In the Middle Ages, tournaments often reenacted historical themes from Ancient Rome or elsewhere.
Again... this is a quality that people have exhibited all throughout time, even back when "history" was new. What is the psychology behind this? Is it deeper than psychology? Is it spiritual? Is it karmic? And if it were karmic, what would be the purpose, what could be accomplished by a life devoted to reenactment??
Quote:In the nineteenth century, historical reenactments became widespread, reflecting the then intense romantic interest in the Middle Ages.
It IS romanticism... it is VERY close to what most people would consider "love" to be.
Quote:Categories of reenactors
FARBs
"Farbs" or "polyester soldiers", are reenactors who spend relatively little time and/or money achieving authenticity with regard to uniforms, accessories, or period behavior.
. . .
Mainstream
Mainstream reenactors make an effort to appear authentic, but may come out of character in the absence of an audience. Visible stitches are likely to be sewn in a period-correct manner, but hidden stitches and undergarments may not be period-appropriate. Food consumed before an audience is likely to be generally appropriate to the period, but it may not be seasonally and locally appropriate. Modern items are sometimes used "after hours" or in a hidden fashion. The common attitude is to put on a good show, but that accuracy need only go as far as others can see
Aha, so there are ranks of reenactors. Here in the "Mainstream" category, we start to get into the deeper levels of devotion.
So let's see how deep the rabbit hole goes...
Quote:Progressive
At the other extreme from farbs are "hard-core authentics", or "progressives," as they sometimes prefer to be called. Sometimes derisively called "stitch counters", "stitch nazis", or "stitch witches." "(t)he hard-core movement is often misunderstood and sometimes maligned."
Okay so as we can see, just like in ANYTHING else that involves people... there's a certain sector of snobby and haughty personalities who take things VERY seriously and would criticize inaccuracy in an exacting and cliquey way.
Quote:Progressive, cont.
Hard-core reenactors generally value thorough research, and sometimes deride mainstream reenactors for perpetuating inaccurate "reenactorisms". They generally seek an "immersive" reenacting experience, trying to live, as much as possible, as someone of the period might have done. This includes eating seasonally and regionally appropriate food, sewing inside seams and undergarments in a period-appropriate manner, and staying in character throughout an event. The desire for an immersive experience often leads hard-core reenactors to smaller events, or to setting up separate camps at larger events.
These immersive progressive reenactors are the ones I think I've come across the most, at least in real life. I saw these people taking their "job" VERY seriously... to them, it was a way of life.
