The Christian members of the Eritrean Police went on strike in 1945 (during the British Military Administration) rejecting their uniform, which was identical to that of the Sudanese police. For them the uniform tampered with their religious beliefs and what was worse - threatened their cherished masculinity. The strikers believed that the uniform was only becoming “women in general and Moslem males” In that uniform, the hair was adorned by a round, short hat with a tassel covering part of the head. The uniform was a long robe reaching close to ankle. On the waist a wide leather belt, and on the top of the belt a blue sash, complemented the uniform. The first protest against the uniform came only after the presence of Ethiopia became strengthened in the country. The Muslim members of the Police had no problem with the uniform. When BMA officer gave in to those demands, the translator was a high ranking British employee by the name of Tedla Bairu who became a leading member of the Unionist Party, two years later.
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Summary from: Peasants and Nationalism in Eritrea by Jordan Gebre-Medhin p.87
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