Qatari clothing
Qatari clothing is similar to other Persian Gulf countries, typically consisting of a ghutra, agal, and thawb for men, and an abaya and shayla for women.
For instance, the thawb al-nashal is considered the grandest and most ornamental type and was used for celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, and family gatherings.
[6] The thawb is the piece of garment almost exclusively worn during the summer, but during the cooler months men may opt to wear other traditional dresses such as the al-shadd, al-daqlah, al-sidairi, al-bisht and al-dafa, though these are less common than in previous decades.
[7] Traditional accessories worn by Qatari men include sword or dagger sheaths, which may be attached to the belt.
The word "bisht" is of Persian origin, derived from "bosht" meaning "behind," referencing the garment's function of covering the back.
Unlike other forms of traditional men's clothing aside from the thawb, the bisht has remained relatively steady in its popularity in Qatar.
[10] The craft of bisht-making, performed by the elhayek (bisht maker), is an artistic skill involving the use of various colors such as white, black, red, brown, and off-white.
The crafting process involves specialized tools like hammers, needles of various sizes, and a measuring instrument known as el'fetya.
In Bedouin society, women wore simple and plain dresses devoid of any designs and usually containing only a limited selection of colors, namely red, black, and indigo.
The ghashwa is a flowing, lightweight cotton fabric that fits over the abaya and shayla, used in public places to cover a woman's head.
[14] As Qatari girls transition into puberty, their clothing undergoes significant changes to align with cultural norms of modesty and adulthood.
Around the age of twelve, girls begin to wear the al-bukhnaq, a traditional head and chest covering, which serves both as a physical protector and a societal signal that they have reached adulthood.
In Bedouin areas, girls often start wearing a burqa around the age of eleven, reinforcing strict cultural expectations of decency.
The burqa varies in length and style depending on the tribe but generally serves to conceal the girl's face from public view.
[15] The al-bukhnaq is typically made of black cloth, sometimes adorned with gold embroidery, and extends to cover the back down to the knees.
[3] Young girls now enjoy greater freedom in choosing their attire than in the pre-oil era, often incorporating modern dresses and accessories into their wardrobes.
These were reserved for special occasions such as religious festivals and were closely monitored by their mothers to ensure compliance with cultural expectations.
[15] Jewelry, typically gold-adorned, is very commonly used by Qatari women during special occasions such as weddings and festivals and, to a lesser extent, for daily use.
[12] Al murta'ishah is a prominent piece of jewelry that women used to wear to enhance their appearance during weddings and similar events.
The name of al murta'ishah comes from the word alerta'ash, which means "to shiver", reflecting how the chains of this jewelry, referred to as marasil, tremble with the wearer's movements.
Inside the amulet, Quranic verses and prayers are placed to protect the child from the evil eye and black magic.
[17] Al ghalmiyyat are funnel-shaped earrings consisting of an empty octahedral structure encircled by serrated embellishments, culminating in three protruding spherical ends.
[3] Tasat al sa'ad, or "cap of joy and fortune", is an oval-shaped gold skull-cap featuring two long, dangling chains on each side, known as surareh.
The cap consists of interconnected gold pieces forming chains, each adorned with floral-like embossments and secured by silver ornaments called hamah on the sides of the head.
[19] Another special occasion where headpieces are worn is Garangao, where it is customary for girls to wear a cap with golden chains and trinkets adjoined to it, sometimes extending down to shoulder-length.
Some versions are thick and showcase elaborate decorations, such as circular gold elements and clusters of rubies and turquoise stones.
[3] In traditional society, daily use of cosmetics was not common due to social stigma and was instead mainly confined to celebratory occasions, with a few exceptions, such as the facial application of kohl at night for skin repair.
However, the modernization of Qatari society has led to the emergence of professional henna artists and specialized salons, offering intricate designs and tattoo patterns.
Bridal henna celebrations, once confined to intimate family gatherings, now encompass vibrant rituals, including festive banquets and jalwa ceremonies, where the bride, typically garmented in green, watches as female participants sing.
Sandalwood, basil, and both white and black musk are added, and the mixture is ground in a mill to create the final product.
