[i'>yashmak, also spelled Yașmak, long, narrow face screen or veil traditionally worn in public by Muslim women. The yashmak can consist of a piece of black horsehair attached near the temples and sloping down like an awning to cover the face, or it can be a veil covered with pieces of lace, with slits for the eyes, tied behind the head by strings and sometimes supported over the nose by a [b'>small piece of gold, ivory, or silver[/b'>.[/i'>
i have been told that it was originally worn by the Bedouin to protect the cheeks etc from the sand...
this is the Yashmak:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/5527/209876281.jpg&imgrefurl=http://dvd4arab.maktoob.com/showthread.php%3Ft%3D2282565&usg=__iVy9PGXlIfCiCj7EShgXo0qP0OQ=&h=497&w=412&sz=79&hl=en&start=203&sig2=K4updozhjL1ADEGwkNtkvw&zoom=1&tbnid=4AoIVZ33_xaLvM:&tbnh=151&tbnw=125&ei=kdUETumiNYWSswbb64SmDA&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%25D8%25B5%25D9%2588%25D8%25B1%2B%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D9%258A%25D8%25B4%25D9%2585%25D9%2583%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1445%26bih%3D832%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divnsfd&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=151&vpy=429&dur=43&hovh=153&hovw=127&tx=117&ty=50&page=7&ndsp=31&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:203&biw=1445&bih=832
Thank you. Yes, it was definitely older women who were wearing them. So they're actually leather? They were stunning. So much to learn about this harsh but beautiful place...
I think once we are settled in, I will see if I can find some sort of cultural course so I can understand things a lot better. It all seems so mysterious right now.
Stunning? :\:
What? I agree with her, they can look [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/queeng_dingly777/336678311/in/photostream/lightbox/'>stunning[/url'> :)
<em>edited by dairylea on 24/06/2011</em>
I saw an Emirati programme on them and they said the traditional niqabs (face masks) were made of Indigo cloth-whatever that may be.
<em>edited by wuffles on 24/06/2011</em>
I wonder if it would be offensive to the Emiratis for a westerner to buy a burqa in order to frame it??? I would love to see one in real life and perhaps frame it in a gorgeous ornate frame but would not like to offend anyone by doing so...
No it wouldn't be offensive. I have an Emirati friend who has one framed actually :o) You can also get them in bracelets, [url=http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Dz32x3e0KsQ/TbNmmhdosII/AAAAAAAAGVM/azOu8dib4V0/s1600-h/6169_103248469651_679359651_2175102_7715666_n%5B9%5D.jpg'>like this one.[/url'>
Thank you. Yes, it was definitely older women who were wearing them. So they're actually leather? They were stunning. So much to learn about this harsh but beautiful place...
I think once we are settled in, I will see if I can find some sort of cultural course so I can understand things a lot better. It all seems so mysterious right now.
Stunning? :\:
I had been told by a local work colleague that traditionally they were worn to cover the bone structure of the face so it hides all of her beauty from others. So often worn out of respect to the husband, note why you will see several women in a group wearing it. A very traditional and conservative piece of clothing.
I think once we are settled in, I will see if I can find some sort of cultural course so I can understand things a lot better. It all seems so mysterious right now.
Check out www.cultures.ae. They run some really interesting cultural events from their centre in the Bastakiya down by the Creek, and they also do tours round the Jumeira Mosque on Beach Road. If you go to the mosque talk, they spend a bit of time describing national dress and how it evolved as part of the talk.
National dress
"....You will find most Emiratis wear their national dress in public, though at home, most tend to wear Western-style clothing. Men wear the white full-length robe known as a dishdasha (also thobe,/kandura/jhubba) with a red head dress called a gutra. The black cord that wraps around the gutra is an agal, which Bedouins once used to secure camels. Women wear the black-coloured robe called an abaya with a head scarf known as a sheila. These days it’s becoming increasingly rare to see a plain abaya – along with designer sunglasses and bags, abayas are going through a fashion revolution. Many are embroidered and embellished with beads or even Swarovski crystals. Though it’s less common, you will spot, usually older, Arab women wearing a burkha – a tough, fabric mask covering their faces".
PS. In other Middle Eastern countries a long maxi type womens dress is worn...its called a Jalabiya
<em>edited by KoolestMum on 24/06/2011</em>
Yes, thanks to your suggestions, I've now found some online information on the "UAE Burqa". And, yes, you are all correct! There were some write-ups that said it is an old Emirati tradition to protect the face from the sand and sun, and also to indicate the status of the woman wearing it.
I have found a blog that talks about the UAE burqa and its history and a whole lot of other interesting stuff. So for any others interested:
http://khaleejia.blogspot.com/2009/04/burqa-in-uae-through-its-history.html
I wonder if it would be offensive to the Emiratis for a westerner to buy a burqa in order to frame it??? I would love to see one in real life and perhaps frame it in a gorgeous ornate frame but would not like to offend anyone by doing so...
[i'>yashmak, also spelled Yașmak, long, narrow face screen or veil traditionally worn in public by Muslim women. The yashmak can consist of a piece of black horsehair attached near the temples and sloping down like an awning to cover the face, or it can be a veil covered with pieces of lace, with slits for the eyes, tied behind the head by strings and sometimes supported over the nose by a [b'>small piece of gold, ivory, or silver[/b'>.[/i'>
i have been told that it was originally worn by the Bedouin to protect the cheeks etc from the sand...
Thank you. Yes, it was definitely older women who were wearing them. So they're actually leather? They were stunning. So much to learn about this harsh but beautiful place...
I think once we are settled in, I will see if I can find some sort of cultural course so I can understand things a lot better. It all seems so mysterious right now.
Not totally sure, but I think the gold 'mask' is called either a Betula or Chador. It is actually made from leather but painted to look like metal. Usually worn by older ladies and may also indicate that they are married.
This is my understanding of it but if I am wrong, I am happy to be corrected.
It is called a burqa but it should not be mistaken with the burqa that Afghan women wear as clothes. It is purely an Emirati thing and it is a very old tradition, which is why you rarely see young women wearing it. Nowadays young Emirati women who choose to cover their faces prefer to wear niqabs, which is a full face covering where only the eyes are showing. I'd imagine they prefer niqabs because they appear more comfortable and more fashionable.
It is called 'Burqa'. The burqa from the UAE region is a piece of fabric which covers the nose and upper lip; something quite different from the burqa worn in Afghanistan for example, which covers a woman from head to toe.
The burqa came into use in the pre-Islamic period, when nomadic tribes lived in the desert. Supposed to resemble the head of an eagle, it was worn by engaged or married women to demonstrate their pledge.
Just a quick one: I noticed last week in MoE, several women with a gold sculptured face decoration that they wore underneath their hijab (?). Their faces were uncovered, but this "decorative structure" (don't know what to call it) was very obviously visible. It came in a narrow line from each side of the forehead and then down over the nose.
Can anyone explain it to me? Ie what it is called, why it is worn (as opposed to, say, the full face covering), and who ears it in particular?
Just curious as it is something I have never seen before and looked so exotic.
TIA