Bedouin
Clothes
Bedouin traditionally wore loose flowing robes that
covered them from head to foot as they knew from experience
that the best protection from the fierce sunshine,
wind and sand of the desert is to cover every part
of their bodies.
Men wear a long cotton shirt (thawb)
with a belt, covered by a flowing outer garment
(‘abaya). In winter they may wear a waterproof
coat of woven hair.
Their heads are covered by a large headcloth, the
Shamagh, which can be white, red and white, or black
and white in colour. The Shamagh is held in place
by a double black cord known as the ‘Agal,
and it is used also to protect face and neck.
The
women wear long sleeved, ankle long dresses, and beneath
them ankle long pantaloons. The dresses are beautifully
embroidered and sometimes dyed in beautiful colours.
A black headcloth (Tarha) covers their hair and their
faces are hidden behind their veils (Burga’)
which is embroidered and fixed with gold and silver
coins to show the financial status of the family.
A sling arrangement by which a Bedouin woman carries
her baby on her back also becomes part of her headdress,
for the sling is supported across here forehead. It
is called the Shakaban. Bedouin women signal their
status with their headgear - while all women are required
to keep their heads covered.
