Its the first thing that attracts attention : the way the Saudi people dress is far from our western style.
Okay, I admit : if I see the men walk around in that white cloth, and the women in the black ones, I start to wonder if it has something to do with their religion or more with the weather. Dumb, I know, so that's why I wanted to dig somewhat deeper and share it on here.
MEN's dress
The Saudi dress is made up of the following garments :
- a "thobe", also known as a "disdasha", is a long white robe. There are fashionstyles aswell, in particular the colors. You can see grey, brown and different shades of white.
- the "bisht", a ceremonial coat made of cotton or camel wool is worn in winter time, and is often embellished with gold or silver braiding. It covers the "thobe".
- on the head , the "ghutra" is held in place with the "aqal", a double twisted, thick, black cord. The "ghutra" may be white or red and white, its color doesn't hold no specific meaning.
- underneath it is a (mostly) white "taqiya", a small cap to help the "aqal" keep the "ghutra" in place so it will not slide of. It has probably also an hygienic purpose.
- Saudis wear sandals and hardly ever wear socks, although the western influence can be seen as a great deal of them wear normal-day-shoes.
-a range of accessories round up the national dress. There is the "masbaha", also known as "tasbi". It's a rosary used by Muslims while reciting the 99 names of Allah. Originally a religious item, it is also used nowadays as an accessory and a way to pass time.
It is common to see the Saudi man dressed in western-type clothes, but whenever there is an official happening, they will always wear the national dress.
Tomorrow I will talk about the women's dress.
Okay, I admit : if I see the men walk around in that white cloth, and the women in the black ones, I start to wonder if it has something to do with their religion or more with the weather. Dumb, I know, so that's why I wanted to dig somewhat deeper and share it on here.MEN's dress
The Saudi dress is made up of the following garments :
- a "thobe", also known as a "disdasha", is a long white robe. There are fashionstyles aswell, in particular the colors. You can see grey, brown and different shades of white.
- the "bisht", a ceremonial coat made of cotton or camel wool is worn in winter time, and is often embellished with gold or silver braiding. It covers the "thobe".
- on the head , the "ghutra" is held in place with the "aqal", a double twisted, thick, black cord. The "ghutra" may be white or red and white, its color doesn't hold no specific meaning.- underneath it is a (mostly) white "taqiya", a small cap to help the "aqal" keep the "ghutra" in place so it will not slide of. It has probably also an hygienic purpose.
- Saudis wear sandals and hardly ever wear socks, although the western influence can be seen as a great deal of them wear normal-day-shoes.
-a range of accessories round up the national dress. There is the "masbaha", also known as "tasbi". It's a rosary used by Muslims while reciting the 99 names of Allah. Originally a religious item, it is also used nowadays as an accessory and a way to pass time.
It is common to see the Saudi man dressed in western-type clothes, but whenever there is an official happening, they will always wear the national dress.
Tomorrow I will talk about the women's dress.
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