The Mannklæði

In the deeply conservative and extremist matriarchal sect known as the Nektarefni, men are required to wear a distinctive burka like garment that serves as a powerful symbol of their subjugation and the sect’s strict religious ideals. This garment, often referred to simply as the “Mannklæði,” is designed to cover a man’s entire body, save for the hands from the wrist and feet from the ankle, ensuring that no skin is visible to women or the outside world. The intent behind this complete coverage is rooted in the founder Nektaref ’s teachings, which his followers interpret with rigorous extremity: men must cover themselves to avoid tempting women and to demonstrate their obedience and service to the female led society.

The Mannklæði is crafted from coarse, muted fabrics that are traditionally woven by women within the sect. These fabrics come in somber, subdued colors such as deep charcoal, dark blue, and dull brown, reflecting the men’s diminished social status and the ascetic values the sect enforces upon them. The choice of material is intentionally rough and plain, designed to discourage vanity or personal pride, and to serve as a daily reminder of the wearer’s role beneath the authority of women.

The garment’s design is simple yet strictly functional. It is loose-fitting to prevent any form of allure or hint of the wearer’s physique, reinforcing the idea that men are not objects of desire but servants to be disciplined and humble. The Mannklæði includes a hood that shadows the face but never fully obscures the eyes, as men are still expected to be watchful, attentive, and obedient in their duties, never rebellious or defiant. The overall effect is one of anonymity and submission, with restricted mobility and expression limiting the wearer’s ability to draw attention or exert dominance.

Beyond its physical form, the Mannklæði embodies the sect’s ideology: men are to serve quietly and without question, entirely subordinated to female authority. It enforces not only modesty but also a social hierarchy that shapes every interaction between genders. Wearing the Mannklæði is a constant, visible reminder of a man’s place in the Nektarefni society, where his freedoms are curtailed, and his role defined by obedience and silence.