Clothing

Just like the male prisoners the Bible Students wore striped prison clothes. In winter these consisted of a knitted woollen skirt, a woollen coat and bonnet. The shoes they wore were mountaineering boots covering the ankles. Summer outfit was composed of striped cotton dresses and headscarves also with a striped pattern. The headscarves had to be ironed by the Polish Bible Student Antonia Kurczewski. The rules for clothing also required that the women’s hair should be tucked up under the headscarf. No one had their hair shaved off because in Ravensbrück the women who were not troubled by lice could keep their hair.1In concentration camp Ravensbrück, two female Bible Students checked the new arrivals for lice (see Buber-Neumann 2009, p. 163 f); PA, interview Huisman, Gerdina, 15-10-2002.

Maria Floryn in gevangeniskleding (opname van na de bevrijding)
Maria Floryn in prison clothing (picture taken after liberation). (Historical Archives Watchtower Society Kraainem, Belgium)

The purple triangle and the registration number were attached to the left side of the upper garments. There were no tin bracelets with punched registration numbers like those in Peggau concentration camp. The women themselves were responsible for washing their clothes, which they washed in wooden tubs.2PA, interview Huisman, Gerdina, 15-10-2002; WTA Emmen, interview Volp-Rinzema, Froukje, 31-08-1995. The Jehovah’s Witnesses set great store by a well-groomed look and neat clothing even in the camps.3PA, interview Berkers, Toos, 16-10-2002; WTA Emmen, interview Volp-Rinzema, Froukje, 31-08-1995. This was a successful endeavour to keep their integrity through their outward appearance, which indicates an active expression of inner refinement.

Bible Students who were put to work as chambermaids wore an apron over their camp clothes, which made them look like housemaids so that they were not immediately conspicuous as camp inmates.4PA, interview Hoogers-Elbertsen, Jans, 16-10-2002. This clothing measure was probably taken with a view to the guests at the SS property, with whom the women came into contact. Camp commandant Schöller is said not to have spoken out against this change in the usual apparel. His attitude may perhaps be explained by the personal interest he had developed in Jans Hoogers-Elbertsen. She related that he often watched her at work and that she resisted the invitation to kiss him. Her resistance remained unpunished.

Next →