In Britain, many people carry an umbrella on an average day. One cannot be certain it won't rain. "Don't forget your brolly!" One would call another as they leave home -- and people may absentmindedly leave it on the bus or train or in a shop. (Brolly, it would interest you to know, is a British colloquial expression for an umbrella. The American equivalent, though seldom used, is "bumbershoot.") It is true we take our portable shelter for granted, since we can always buy another one. But the umbrella wasn't always viewed so lightly. How did carrying umbrella begin and where did it start from?

The first umbrellas evidently had no business with the rain. They were emblems of honour and rank, designated for the top echelons in society. Sculptures and paintings done thousands of years ago in countries like Egypt, Assyria, Persia and India depict servants holding sunshades over rulers to protect them from the sun. In Assyria, an umbrella was exclusively meant for the king.

Over the years, the umbrellas continued to represent power, especially in Asia. A monarch's status increased according to the number of umbrellas he owned, as shown by a Burmese King who was christened Lord of the twenty-four umbrellas. Some -- time later, the number of tiers became important. The umbrella belonging to the emperor of China had four tiers, while the ruler of Siam's had seven or nine. The umbrella today still represents power and authority in some African and Oriental countries. It was also used in religious groups, by the leaders of the groups.

To gain more religious backing, the Roman Catholic Church included the umbrella in its ceremonial regalia. A red and yellow striped silk umbrella was used to shelter the pope, while cardinals and bishops had violet or green versions. Up to date, Basilicas still have a chair for the Pope with an ombrellone, or umbrella, over it in the papal colours. The cardinal who acts as the pope between the death of one and the election of another also has an ombrellone as his personal emblem during the interim.

We can today differentiate between the umbrella and the parasol, which shields us from the rain and the sun respectively, but none of them originally had any connection with the rain.

By the 1700 women in Britain began to carry umbrellas, though men saw this as effeminate fripperies.

Jonas Hanway, a traveler and philanthropist, was the fellow who rewrote the history of umbrella in England. He was the first man to have the courage of carrying one publicly in London. His determination was not unconnected with the men he saw carrying umbrellas in his journeys overseas. He was able to brave the angry jeering of the hackney coachmen who would intentionally splash him with muddy water from gutter as they drove by. Hanway regularly carried his umbrella till death separated him from his umbrella in 1786 -- after 30-years of Hanway and his umbrella. It would be noted that before Hanway's death, both men and women were seen gladly carrying umbrellas in London an its environs.

Using a rain umbrella in those days was a real challenge, and such umbrellas were large, heavy and clumsy. Their oiled silk or canvas made them difficult to open when wet, and they leaked. Nevertheless, their popularity grew, especially as it was cheaper to buy an umbrella than to hire a carriage when it rained. Umbrella makes and shops increased, and inventors focused on ameliorating the designs. In the middle of 1800, Samuel Fox patented the paragon model, which had a light but a strong steel frame. Lighter fabrics such as silk, cotton, and was well-glaced linen replaced the old bulky covers. The modern umbrella had arrived the stage.

Although once viewed as a luxury and status symbol, the umbrella is now readily affordable, and it regularly comes near the top of lists of lost propery items. It is a very useful accessory for meeting weather challenges anywhere in the world, and its origional use as a shade is back in fashion in some lands, as warnings increase about the risks of sun exposure. So perhaps when you leave home today, you too will be reminded, "don't forget your brolly" as thunder rumbles singaling the oneset of the rainy season.

Tonye Nria-Dappa
www.thetidenews.com