3.7: Culture- Trditional Arabic Clothing- A Blend of Culture and Heritage

Learning Objectives

In this section, you will be able to:

• Explore the cultural and functional significance of traditional Arabic clothing, including its emphasis on modesty, climate adaptation, and cultural identity across the Arab world.
• Recognize the diversity of traditional attire in Arab countries and its role in reflecting regional heritage, history, and celebrations.

Arabic Clothes and Traditional Attire in Arab Countries

Clothing in the Arab world is deeply rooted in tradition, culture, and history. Traditional Arab attire reflects not only the customs and values of each region but also its geography and climate. While modern styles are now widespread, traditional garments remain significant, particularly during cultural celebrations and religious events.

General Features of Arabic Clothing

1. Modesty

• Cultural and Religious Foundations:
  • Modesty in clothing is a core principle influenced by cultural norms and religious values, particularly Islamic teachings, which encourage covering the body appropriately. This applies to both men and women.
  • While the interpretation of modesty varies across the Arab world, traditional clothing is designed to be loose-fitting and to cover most of the body.
• Women's Clothing:
  • Items like the abaya, kaftan, and hijab are widely worn to achieve modesty while reflecting personal style and cultural identity.
  • In some regions, additional coverings like the niqab (face veil) or burqa are also part of traditional attire, depending on local customs.
• Men's Clothing:
  • Men’s attire, such as the thobe, dishdasha, or jalabiya, is typically loose-fitting and ankle-length, promoting modesty and comfort.

Watch this picture of three women wearing elegant, traditional Arabic-style clothing. The outfits feature intricate gold embroidery and vibrant colors, reflecting cultural heritage and modest fashion. Each woman wears a hijab that complements her attire, blending traditional and modern styles beautifully. The setting appears to be outdoors, suggesting a casual or semi-formal occasion.

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Arabic Woman Traditional Clothes. (CC0)

2. Climate Adaptation

• Hotter Regions:
  • Many Arab countries are located in arid or desert climates where temperatures can soar. Traditional clothing is designed to combat the heat:
    • Light Fabrics: Cotton, linen, and other breathable materials are commonly used to keep the body cool.
    • Loose Fits: Loose clothing allows air circulation, providing relief from high temperatures.
    • Head Coverings: Headscarves like the ghutra, shemagh, or keffiyeh not only protect against the sun but also shield against blowing sand in desert areas.
• Cooler Regions or Winter Seasons:
  • In countries with cooler climates or mountainous areas, such as parts of Morocco, Lebanon, or Yemen, clothing is adapted with heavier fabrics like wool or layered garments:
    • Burnous: A woolen cloak in North Africa used to keep warm.
    • Fur-Lined Bishts: In the Gulf, winter versions of the bisht (cloak) are lined for added warmth.

3. Cultural Identity

• Symbol of Heritage:
  • Each Arab country’s traditional attire reflects its unique cultural heritage, regional history, and social customs.
  • Traditional clothing often features specific patterns, colors, and designs tied to the local culture:
    • For example, tatreez (embroidery) in Palestinian dresses tells stories of villages and regions through patterns.
    • Moroccan caftans showcase Andalusian influences with their elaborate embellishments.
• Occasions and Festivities:
  • Traditional attire plays a significant role in weddings, religious celebrations (like Eid), and national holidays.
  • People often wear their national dress to express pride in their cultural identity during such occasions.
• Adaptation to Modern Times:
  • While traditional clothing is still worn, especially in rural areas, urban centers often see a blend of traditional and modern styles. For example:
    • Women may pair a modern blouse with a hijab or abaya that features contemporary cuts and designs.
    • Men might wear a traditional thobe with a tailored jacket.

4. Diversity in Styles

• Urban vs. Rural:
  • Urban areas often adopt more contemporary or blended styles, whereas rural areas hold onto traditional designs more strongly.
  • For example, rural Bedouins might still wear long robes and practical head coverings suitable for desert life.
• Local Materials and Craftsmanship:
  • Many traditional outfits incorporate locally sourced materials and reflect the region’s craftsmanship, such as handwoven fabrics, embroidered designs, and intricate beading.

Traditional Clothing in Arab Countries

1. The Gulf Region

The Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman) share similar clothing styles but with regional variations.

• Men’s Clothing:
  • Thobe (Dishdasha): A long white robe made of light fabric, worn for both casual and formal occasions.
  • Ghutra and Egal: A headscarf (often white or red-and-white checkered) secured with a black cord.
  • Bisht: A cloak worn over the thobe for formal occasions.
• Women’s Clothing:
  • Abaya: A long black cloak that covers the body, often paired with a hijab or niqab.
  • Burqa (in some regions): Covers the face entirely or partially.
• Oman: Omani men wear a thobe with a distinct round cap called a kumma or a turban known as massar. Women may wear colorful embroidered dresses.

2. North Africa

Countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt have distinct traditional attire influenced by Amazigh (Berber), Arab, and Andalusian cultures.

• Morocco:
  • Men: Wear the djellaba, a long robe with a hood, and the tarbouche (fez hat).
  • Women: Often wear kaftans or djellabas with intricate embroidery.
• Algeria and Tunisia:
  • Women: Wear the karakou (a jacket with embroidery) paired with wide pants or a long dress.
  • Men: The burnous, a long wool cloak, is popular.
• Egypt:
  • Men: Wear the galabeya, a long robe similar to the thobe.
  • Women: In rural areas, traditional dresses often have colorful patterns, while urban attire may include modern adaptations of traditional styles.

Watch this video presenting the rich diversity of Algeriz's traditional attire.

3. The Levant

The Levant region (Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon) boasts rich traditions in embroidery and vibrant colors.

• Men:
  • Traditional keffiyeh or shemagh headscarves are popular, especially the black-and-white Palestinian pattern.
  • Older generations may still wear a thobe or abayeh.
• Women:
  • Known for their intricate tatreez (embroidery) on dresses, especially in Palestine.
  • Syrian women often wear brightly colored dresses with embroidered belts.

4. Iraq

• Men: Traditional attire includes a thobe, but older men might wear the abbaya, a long black cloak.
• Women: Iraqi women’s traditional clothing varies by region, with rural areas favoring colorful, embroidered dresses and urban women opting for modernized abayas.

5. Sudan

• Men: Wear the jalabiya, similar to the Egyptian galabeya, paired with a turban.
• Women: The toub, a long, colorful cloth draped over the body, is a hallmark of Sudanese women’s attire.

Here is a comprehensive document about Arabic Clothes and Traditional Attire in Arab Countries:

Arabic Clothes and Traditional Attire in Arab Countries

Clothing in the Arab world is deeply rooted in tradition, culture, and history. Traditional Arab attire reflects not only the customs and values of each region but also its geography and climate. While modern styles are now widespread, traditional garments remain significant, particularly during cultural celebrations and religious events.

1. General Features of Arabic Clothing

• Modesty: Arabic clothing often emphasizes modesty, aligning with cultural and religious values.
• Climate Adaptation: Light and loose fabrics are common in hotter regions, while heavier materials are used in cooler areas or during winter.
• Cultural Identity: Each Arab country has its distinctive traditional attire that symbolizes its history and culture.

2. Traditional Clothing in Arab Countries

1. The Gulf Region

The Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman) share similar clothing styles but with regional variations.

• Men’s Clothing:
  • Thobe (Dishdasha): A long white robe made of light fabric, worn for both casual and formal occasions.
  • Ghutra and Egal: A headscarf (often white or red-and-white checkered) secured with a black cord.
  • Bisht: A cloak worn over the thobe for formal occasions.
• Women’s Clothing:
  • Abaya: A long black cloak that covers the body, often paired with a hijab or niqab.
  • Burqa (in some regions): Covers the face entirely or partially.
• Oman: Omani men wear a thobe with a distinct round cap called a kumma or a turban known as massar. Women may wear colorful embroidered dresses.

2. North Africa

Countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt have distinct traditional attire influenced by Amazigh (Berber), Arab, and Andalusian cultures.

• Morocco:
  • Men: Wear the djellaba, a long robe with a hood, and the tarbouche (fez hat).
  • Women: Often wear kaftans or djellabas with intricate embroidery.
• Algeria and Tunisia:
  • Women: Wear the karakou (a jacket with embroidery) paired with wide pants or a long dress.
  • Men: The burnous, a long wool cloak, is popular.
• Egypt:
  • Men: Wear the galabeya, a long robe similar to the thobe.
  • Women: In rural areas, traditional dresses often have colorful patterns, while urban attire may include modern adaptations of traditional styles.

3. The Levant

The Levant region (Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon) boasts rich traditions in embroidery and vibrant colors.

• Men:
  • Traditional keffiyeh or shemagh headscarves are popular, especially the black-and-white Palestinian pattern.
  • Older generations may still wear a thobe or abayeh.
• Women:
  • They are known for their intricate tatreez (embroidery) on dresses, especially in Palestine.
  • Syrian women often wear brightly colored dresses with embroidered belts.

4. Iraq

• Men: Traditional attire includes a thobe, but older men might wear the abbaya, a long black cloak.
• Women: Iraqi women’s traditional clothing varies by region, with rural areas favoring colorful, embroidered dresses and urban women opting for modernized abayas.

5. Sudan

• Men: Wear the jalabiya, similar to the Egyptian galabeya, paired with a turban.
• Women: The toub, a long, colorful cloth draped over the body, is a hallmark of Sudanese women’s attire.

6. Yemen

• Men: Wear the ma’awis, a wraparound skirt, often paired with a shirt or thobe, and sometimes a jambia (traditional dagger).
• Women: Yemen’s traditional dresses are often vibrant and heavily embroidered, with regional differences in patterns and styles.

7. Somalia and Djibouti

While not part of the Arab League culturally, Somalia and Djibouti share linguistic and cultural ties with the Arab world.

• Men: Wear sarongs called macawiis and white shirts.
• Women: Traditional attire includes the guntiino, a long cloth tied around the body, often in vibrant colors.

Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Traditional Arabic clothing from various Arab countries.

3. The Significance of Traditional Clothing

Traditional clothing in the Arab world is a testament to the region's rich history and diversity. It reflects not only the culture and traditions but also the environmental and social factors that have shaped the Arab world over centuries. While modern fashion continues to evolve, the significance of traditional attire endures as a symbol of cultural heritage and identity.

• Identity and Pride: Traditional clothing is often worn to express cultural pride, especially during festivals, weddings, and national holidays.
• Preservation of Heritage: Despite modern influences, traditional attire remains a strong link to Arab history and identity.

What Arabs Wear in Their Weddings

Arab weddings are vibrant celebrations that often include traditional attire showcasing cultural heritage. Wedding outfits vary greatly across Arab countries, but they all share a sense of elegance, opulence, and attention to detail.

1. The Bride’s Attire

• General Features:
  • Brides often wear elaborately designed dresses with intricate embroidery, beadwork, or sequins.
  • Many Arab brides choose multiple outfits for different parts of the wedding, such as the henna night, the wedding ceremony, and the reception.
• By Region:
  • Gulf Countries:
    • Brides may wear traditional embroidered dresses for the henna night.
    • The wedding gown is usually a Western-style white dress, but with luxurious additions, such as gold or pearl embellishments.
    • In Saudi Arabia, a heavily embroidered traditional abaya or farwa may also be worn.
  • North Africa:
    • In Morocco, brides often wear a caftan or multiple takchita (layered dresses) during the wedding, accessorized with intricate gold jewelry.
    • In Algeria, the Karako (embroidered jacket and wide pants) or a traditional dress like the Chedda from Tlemcen is popular.
    • Egyptian brides typically wear a Western-style white gown for the main ceremony, often with local touches such as golden accessories.
  • The Levant:
    • Palestinian and Jordanian brides might incorporate traditional embroidery into their dresses.
    • For traditional ceremonies, brides may wear brightly colored embroidered gowns specific to their villages.
    • In Lebanon, modern white wedding dresses with a high-fashion twist are extremely popular.
  • Iraq and Yemen:
    • Iraqi brides may wear a traditional abaya or an embroidered gown for pre-wedding events, followed by a white dress for the ceremony.
    • Yemeni brides often wear traditional, vibrant gowns with gold jewelry for the henna night and switch to a white dress for the wedding.
  • Sudan:
    • Brides wear a stunning red toub with gold embroidery for wedding ceremonies, accessorized with heavy gold jewelry.

Watch this video offers a vibrant glimpse into Moroccan wedding traditions. It showcases the rich cultural heritage of Morocco, highlighting traditional attire, music, and ceremonial practices that define Moroccan nuptial celebrations. Through captivating visuals, viewers can appreciate the intricate customs and festive spirit inherent in Moroccan weddings.

2. The Groom’s Attire

• General Features:
  • Grooms often wear a combination of traditional and modern clothing, ranging from tailored suits to traditional thobes or cloaks.
• By Region:
  • Gulf Countries:
    • Grooms typically wear a crisp white thobe, sometimes paired with a bisht (a ceremonial cloak with gold embroidery) during the ceremony.
    • A ghutra or shemagh (headscarf) is also common.
  • North Africa:
    • In Morocco, grooms wear a djellaba or jabador (a two-piece outfit with a long shirt and pants), often in white or cream.
    • Algerian grooms might wear a traditional burnous (cloak) over their outfit.
  • The Levant:
    • Grooms in the Levant often opt for tailored suits, but in traditional ceremonies, they may wear a long coat or cloak resembling historical attire.
  • Iraq and Yemen:
    • Iraqi grooms sometimes wear an abaya or dishdasha for traditional ceremonies.
    • Yemeni grooms often wear a ma'awis (wrap skirt) paired with a jambia (dagger) and a decorated shirt.
  • Sudan:
    • Grooms wear a white jalabiya and a turban, complemented by a black or gold-trimmed cloak.

Watch the video, which offers a glimpse into the rich traditions of Omani wedding ceremonies. It showcases the vibrant attire, intricate rituals, and joyous celebrations that define these events. Through captivating visuals, viewers can appreciate the cultural heritage and festive spirit inherent in Omani weddings.

3. Accessories and Jewelry

• Brides:
  • Gold is the most common accessory, symbolizing wealth and status. Heavy necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and anklets are often worn.
  • Headpieces such as tiaras or crowns are popular in weddings across the Arab world.
  • In some cultures, henna designs are applied to the bride’s hands and feet during a special pre-wedding night.
• Grooms:
  • Accessories include traditional daggers (e.g., jambia in Yemen), headscarves, and ornamental belts.

Traditional clothing in the Arab world is a testament to the region's rich history and diversity. It reflects not only the culture and traditions but also the environmental and social factors that have shaped the Arab world over centuries. While modern fashion continues to evolve, the significance of traditional attire endures as a symbol of cultural heritage and identity.

Activities

Query \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Check Your Understanding

You will be introduced to different activities in your notebook or with your learning partners in this part. These questions encourage you to engage with the cultural and economic aspects of traditional souks while reinforcing key points from the text.

• Create a mini travel guide with a section about traditional clothing. Include:

• Descriptions of typical attire.
• When and where the clothing is worn.
• Fun facts about the designs or materials.
• Share your travel guides with the class.

• Search and compare traditional Arabic clothing to traditional clothing from your own culture. Write a short paragraph or create a visual highlighting similarities and differences about each culture.
• Create a "virtual museum" by setting up stations around the classroom with pictures and descriptions of traditional clothing from various Arab countries. Your classmates walk around, read about the clothing, and complete a worksheet with questions like:
  • Which outfit would you like to try and why?
  • Which country has the most colorful attire?