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Traditional dress of Oman

date_range 18 December 2015

Today, Custom Qamis is taking you to visit the Middle-East and discover the Omani traditional costume.

We might think that the traditional clothes of this region are common to the surrounding countries. Let's take a closer look to the traditional Omani Sultanate clothing, starting with the famous dishdasha, khanjar and turban.

The Dishdasha

Simple and sober, the traditional Omani costume is the same all around the countrie. It is mainly composed of a Dishdasha ; which is a long dress, collarless reaching to the ankles. In cotton, for warm seasons and wool during winter, this clothing different himself from the Emirati qamis by his length and the string that adorns it. Indeed, the string of the Omani qamis is shorter than the Emirati qamis. This cordon named « Tarbousha » is quitly shifted to the right side. By the way, do you know what this string is used for ? It's been said that it's scented with musc so the great sent is broadcast everywhere you go. Genius, isn't it ?

Source : https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2012-12-26/oman-luxury-perfumes-fragrances-scents

The khanjar, a national emblem

The khanjar is an Omani dagger with a wide and curved blade. Just like the Yemenit djanbia, the khanjar is a truly national emblem. Even though Yemeni like wearing it daily, unlike them, Omani wear it only during ceremonies. National day, relegious holidays or weddings, to wear this garment during these events is a symbol of virility and pride.

The Omani dagger is an accessory of cultural legacy Omani are very attached to. It is worn on the waist, fixed on an iron or silver belt, wich holds teh Dishdasha. The cost of a khanjar depends on the metal it was made of and the material used for the handle. It can be made of Sandalwood, Bigaradier, or giraffe horn. The more rare is the material, the more expensive it will be.

Source : https://andyinoman.wordpress.com/tag/omani-drum/

The Omani cap

There are many different Omani caps, of which the best known are the Kumma and the turban.

The kumma

The kumma is a kind of hat round shaped, adorned with embroidery patterns as diverse and varied. The aeration is optimized by holes. Nowadays, the Kumma which can be swollen, flattened or pinched is worn by young people.

Source : https://www.travelplusstyle.com/magazine/10-things-to-do-in-oman

The keffieh

The Omani turban is a kind of keffieh which Omani wear wrapped around their head. This male accessory is the official cap in the country. The Omani turban names « massar » or « mazar » is very varied. It can be found in white cotton, thin embrodered wool, in cashemer and also multicolored. The turban permits to distinguish the peasant from a rich contractor. A distinction of tribes and classes that can not be made as there are nearly 10 ways to wear the Omani turban.

Source : https://andyinoman.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/national-day-celebrations-2010/img_6420/

When the Omani costume and Comorian dress become one

The traditional Omani costume and the Comorian one are very similar. To understand these similarities, it's necessary to go back to the colonial past of Oman, and more precisly between the 12th century and the 18th century. During this period, Omani where doing well commercially, and, as true explorers and great traders, they spawned multiple maritime tracks. Arab states of the Persian Gulf , India and the African east coast transited every kind of products. Oman became, at this time, more powerful than ever and directed Zanzibar from its capital, Muscate, which made Comorian and all surrounding populations emigrate toward Zanzibar. The line of maritims messages was inaugurated and Zanzibar saw a wave of Comorians settling its Island. A real mixting of people living on the Indian Ocean Islands was witnessed. Zanzibar became the crossroad between Africans, Arabs, and also Europeans, thanks to the commercial, religious and cultural exchanges. Nowadays, this legacy is still present, and visible through language, diversity of faces, but also traditional clothing. A qamis to be comfortable and a turban to protect one self from the sun… A traditional costume marked by comfort and simplicity that do not detract from the elegance of Omani.

Source of the image on the front page: https://tourism.lami.education/?cat=245

Categories: Presentation of the blog

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The traditional kurdish costume

date_range 12 October 2016

The Kurdish population is currently estimated at 35 million, 80% of whom live in the historical Kurdistan region that covers large parts of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran. Living in an area of 500,000 square kilometers, the Kurdish people are therefore considered to be the world’s largest stateless nation. Despite being divided by several borders, the Kurds have always kept sharing their language, cultural identity and even … their own traditional way of dressing.

An ongoing cultural heritage

Kurdistan was part of both the Persian and Ottoman Empire and possesses a long heritage of knowledge and culture. Having survived many conquests, the traditional Kurdish garb has always remained in harmony with the surrounding landscapes.

Unlike many Iraqi and Turkish men who have adopted western clothing, Kurds have maintained their cultural heritage by wearing their own distinctive and traditional costumes through centuries.

Source : https://iranprimer.usip.org/

Often influenced by the local dressing code in their host country, Kurdish people possess several outfits and dresses that vary from one country to the other. In general, it is possible to recognize the region a Kurd lives in by having a closer look at the way he dresses.

Keffiyehs and Daggers

Several regions of geo-cultural Kurdistan, especially in Iraq, are characterized by mountain chains and impressive landscapes which have determined the way the Kurdish people design and manufacture their clothing.

Depending on the region, the traditional Kurdish outfit is made up of several components that vary in fabric and color. Men generally wear a short tight velvet jacket over a striped shirt and a sash that goes around the waist. By neatly tucking a dagger into the sash at the waist, the older generation of men still upholds an ancient Kurdish practice. The cummerbund is sometimes replaced by a large belt made of cloth.

In winter, men can be seen in thick coats made of sheep’s wool. During festive or other rare occasions they wear embroidered coats as an overgarment.

Source : Wikipedia

A second component of the Kurdish traditional costume is the “shalwar”, a long pair of baggy trousers. Although colorful and tight at the ankles, the Kurdish baggy pants aren’t as wide as the known “Aladdin” type of harem pants. They remain nonetheless comfortable and appropriate for all seasons.

Last but not least, the Keffiyeh is an inextricable part of the traditional Kurdish assortment. It is often wrapped around the head as a regular turban or simple placed on the shoulders. Likewise, the Keffiyeh’s color and the way it is wrapped around the head both vary according to the geographical area. On special occasions men can be seen wearing an ornamented traditional black velvet hat.

Natural born fashion designers

Traditional clothing in Kurdistan has a unique feature; it is never sold ready-made. When Kurds wish to obtain a new outfit, they first purchase the desired fabric and then pay a visit to one the many distinctive tailors known for designing traditional outfits. Kurdish men and women are remarkably inventive when it comes to clothing and show a natural talent for design. One shouldn’t be surprised to find Kurds, men and women alike, possess wardrobes with a rich assortment of unique costumes.

Source : flickr.com

Kurdish men, especially the elderly, find pride in their ancient traditions and haven’t been washed away by the tidal wave of Western acculturation. The latest generation, however, is increasingly following the fashion styles of their host country. Sometimes they even choose to assimilate to a foreign culture by adopting Western dress codes.

Travelers in the Kurdistan Region may still admire Kurdish men wearing their colorful outfits and their unique designs, but this might no longer be the case in the generations to come. More and more, the Kurdish traditional costume is becoming a remnant of a glorious past that is no more.