Expert: Le Anne Clausen - 2/20/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello Le Anne

I was in London 5+ yrs ago sipping tea at Harrods.  A group of Saudi(?) women sat near us wearing beautiful traditional black clothing and a few of them were wearing a "bar" of sorts in the shape of an inverted "T" if my memory serves me.  This covering was gold, ornate and beautiful.  Others were wearing similar styles, some plain black veils.  It appeared the older women were wearing black, the younger women were wearing gold.

I've searched, googled, etc. to find out what this type of covering represents, either personally or religiously and I can't find anything.  I've love to learn more about this and many other cultures / religions and hope you can help.

Thanks for your time

Tori

ANSWER: Greetings Tori, and thanks for your question.  I'm attaching a link that I think might be close to the garment to which you are referring, although it's not quite the same style:

http://www.egyalleys.com/bedouin_burqah_veil_silver_coins.asp

'Burqa(h)' is a term referring to a garment which covers the face.  It is worn in several countries, more often these days among the rural or Bedouin population, or also among the very wealthy.  The family would also be rather conservative, or, if not the family then their locality (which includes Saudi).

The gold coins are more often worn by new brides--one construction on this is that 'what lies beneath (the beauty of the woman) is worth many coins; is priceless.'  Men pay a dowry to the woman which becomes her security if he dishonors the marriage, and a high dowry is certainly desirable.  However, (I've tried one of these on), they are really heavy.  It could be the novelty wears off; it could be that it's simply not practical to wear one around; it could be that if you are a widow you don't display your gold anymore, or if you are an older woman you're past that stage.  This may even be the case once you have children.  Younger women without the coinage may still be single, or may be somewhat more modern and not want to do the coins.  I've seen several veils without among Chicago city women.

Here are a few other links that give a variety of explanations; overall, they'll give you a broader idea:

http://almashriq.hiof.no/general/600/640/646/costumes_of_the_Levant/bedouin.html

http://www.tilda.edu-negev.gov.il/mad/turkyabu/eng/PORGA1.html

http://collectibles.search.ebay.com/veil_Cultures-Ethnicities_W0QQsacatZ3913

Hope these help!  Please let me know if I can be of help on any other questions.

peace,

Le Anne

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Le Anne ~

Thanks for the information.  Very interesting.  Actually, this piece that covered (or quasi-covered) the face started as a headband across her forehead - reminded me of a stiff fabric or even cardboard perhaps.  No fabric.  Looked like a capital T - the top of the "T" went across her forehead, the center came straight down her nose and covered over her mouth (the bottom of the "T").  She had to lift the bottom to eat and drink and she was quick to place it back over her mouth while chewing.  They were also very wealthy, if that makes a difference.

At any rate, perhaps it was an updated version of what you described.  I would imagine it serves the same purpose.

If you find anything else, please advise.  The whole culture intreagues me (from afar).  I'm a very strong-willed woman and would probably fail miserably at being subordinate in any way, but I still love learning about different cultures.  And the dress / veils - so beautiful!

Thanks again

Tori

Answer
Greetings Tori, and thanks for the follow-up.  Yes, I think it is a modern version of what you described. Here is an additional graphic, although possibly still different.

http://www.alhediya.com/burqa1.html

I'm also including the google search link I used, which returns some interesting sites:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGIC,GGIC:2006-51,G

I think you may also enjoy reading three books together, although more expressive of Persian culture than Arab.  I say read together because they cover a span of time, and offer a fuller perspective together than alone.  (There are also many near-worthless and sensationalist books on Arab culture as well, which are nonetheless popular).  But I recommend:  Reading Lolita in Tehran, Lipstick Jihad, and The Bookseller of Kabul.  They're a good start, and offer multiple perspectives.

Good luck!  Hope this helps!

peace,

Le Anne