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Forget what you think you know about headwraps and flowing gowns worn by revivalists. At the National Revival Conference held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew, revivalists turned tradition into a full-blown spiritual spectacle - complete with khaki robes, wrapped turbans, and symbols charged with heavenly meaning.

"Revival clothing is about communication," said Dr Kirt Henry, a cultural historian and revivalist. "The uniforms speak, they tell you who we are, who we serve, and which spirit walks with us."

There are two key dress codes in revivalist tradition, he explained. The first is modest daily wear - pleated skirts and blouses for women, pants and shirts for men. The second is ceremonial: intricate robes reserved for thanksgiving services and sacred rituals.

The inaugural event, hosted by the United Zion Revival Council of Churches, brought together revivalists from across the island, many dressed in khaki skirts, long gowns, and intricately wrapped turbans, each outfit soaked in symbolism and spiritual meaning.

"The reason why they are called uniforms is that it goes back to the philosophy that revivalists believe that they are children going to a spiritual school and dress to represent that," explained Henry.

For Wednesday's gathering, the organisers' dress code was khaki, which has a significant meaning, both historically and culturally.

"Khaki represents war and rebellion," Henry noted. "It's a reminder of our constant challenge to colonial systems. But it also speaks to spiritual discipline and unity. Today, revival churches from across Jamaica came together in one accord, and khaki binds us."

"More than just colours and emblems, each item revivalists wear carries spiritual weight. The ruler, the whistle, the pencil, tools often seen pinned to their garments, are essentially worn to represent the metaphor of spiritual children and messengers."

Turbans, too, are not just about fashion.

"The peak turban is like an antenna to God," Henry said, describing the pleated wrap that points upward. "

"It's worn mostly by leaders, to show they're always tuned in to Heaven. You also have the crown turban, which is a simple flat wrap going around the head, but there is a lot more that shepherds are exploring with their identity and creativity."

SYMBOLIC COLOURS

Colours also play an important part in their language. Blue and white, for example, represent Miriam, the water messenger. Red, a popular colour, is symbolic of both the blood of Christ and spiritual fire, used to 'cut and clear' evil spirits.

"Yellow is for sunshine, it represents elevation within the Revival Church. But also, yellow is used to represent the West African water deity Mami Wata, or better known in Jamaica as River Mumma, and her colour is yellow or gold because she is the goddess of fertility and wealth. She controls the golden table at Flat Bridge," he said.

"White is the most significant colour for revivalist because it represents God himself, and scientifically, all other colours come from white."

Spiritual dress, Henry said, is not chosen -- it is received.

"So the Spirit may appear to you, whether in a dream or a vision, and communicate a particular clothing to you. That becomes your spiritual identity."

For Pastor Mercedes Frazer McDonald, who travelled from New York for the conference, revivalism is not just about faith. It's about power, unity, and sacred femininity.

"Revival is unity. We are brothers and sisters in Zion. And we as women, we carry a powerful light," she said, glowing in a golden gown that she described as a symbol of water and healing.

"Gold is for water and rivers. You can read someone with just a glass of water and a candle. If you are a true Zion, you can see," she said confidently.

She bristled at the idea that revivalists are to be feared, or worse, dismissed as backward.

"We are just like Catholics, Anglicans, Presbyterians. You see them light candles? We do that, too. They sprinkle water? So do we. They tie lace on their head? We wrap ours with glory!" she exclaimed, waving her hands.

"We are not hiding. We are not ashamed. Zion is powerful and Jamaica need fi understand it."