Liberian Rebels Wore Wigs and Dresses to ‘Confuse’ Bullets
During Liberia’s civil war, fighters used cross-dressing as a battlefield tactic. They believed wigs, evening gowns and frilly blouses could psych out their enemies. This practice is rooted in a regional superstition that adopting dual identities makes soldiers invisible or bullet-proof. It mirrors how armies worldwide use camouflage and face paint to boost confidence and fearlessness. Beyond wartime bravado, the tactic draws on West African rites of passage. Donning female attire or forest trappings was thought to grant mystical power and signal a dangerous in-between state to any rival.
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