The Traditional Attire of Jordanian Women
This section outlines the names and characteristics of traditional Jordanian clothing for women:
Head and Body Wear
The headwear of Jordanian women consists of the “shamber,” also known as a “melaf,” which is a black or patterned fabric in white and black that is wrapped around the head. Over the melaf, women wear the “habriya,” or headband, made of colorful silk. The body attire comprises a long black dress referred to as “malas” or “abu ruisha,” which is worn over a colorful and embroidered dress known as “saya,” crafted from threads of “fital” that are either blue or black, typically hand-embroidered.
There are various styles of dresses worn by Jordanian women, including the following forms of “madarq”:
- “Abu Dreen”: Worn with a long-sleeved undershirt as it typically lacks sleeves.
- “Thob Ababyi”: Resembling the “salt” dress, this garment is characterized by three folds (16 arms) and is worn over the “damar,” which is a type of robe that often accompanies the “saya.” This is also referred to as “maqta,” and it is traditionally handmade.
Belt and Jewelry
A distinctive belt known as “shwiheh,” woven from colorful silk with fringes that dangle down to the knee, has nearly disappeared. Bedouin women typically adorn themselves with jewelry made of gold and silver, including “tiraki” for the head, earrings, and “wardina” that is placed on one side of the nose. The “aran” is a piece that hangs in the middle of the nose, covering part of the upper and lower lips, while the “kardan” is worn around the neck, and “hajoul” refers to anklets.
The Traditional Attire of Jordanian Men
The attire of Jordanian men can be categorized into the following:
- The “kbar” or “dishdasha” or “qambaz”: Made of white rose fabric, trimmed at the edges with white cord, it is often referred to as the “Chinese dome” and is decorated with cord, adjusting to fit the size of the wearer.
- The “damar”: Worn in summer, this is a coat reaching just below the waist, accompanied by the headwear “qudada” made from soft georgette, and the “igal,” made of goat hair. In winter, the “kbar” and wool “damar” are worn together.
- The “abaya”: Crafted from camel hair, this loose and lightweight garment features wide sleeves, typically in light colors for summer and darker hues for winter.
- The “saraawal”: This refers to white linen trousers, gathered at the waist and tied at the ankles.
- Headwear: The “shmagh” can be worn as a face-covering or draped over the igal, with one side falling over the shoulder, distinguished by its white cotton threads in red and white.
- The “igal”: Also known as “igal al-maraz,” it is made from black goat hair and is worn over the shmagh.
- The “janad”: A chest belt made of leather with pockets designed to hold goat slaughtering tools, complemented by a pouch attached to the waist.
Traditional Attire in Ajloun Governorate
This section discusses Ajloun’s traditional attire, divided into two categories: women’s clothing and men’s clothing:
Attire of Ajloun Women
Ajloun women traditionally wore one or several of the following garments:
- “Birma”: A loose black dress worn by married women. It is folded three times, secured with a broader fabric belt over the second fold, allowing the third fold to drape such that the belt remains hidden due to the dress’s wide cut. The sleeves of the “birma” are also wide, allowing the fabric to wrap around the head.
- “Hatta”: A head covering made of silk or cane, available in either black or red.
- “Shorah”: A black band worn under the hatta and wrapped around the head two to three times.
- “Arja”: A round piece of fabric resembling a cap, embellished with golden coins and often finished at the bottom with colorful wool tassels.
- “Damar”: A jacket or outer garment made of wool, often in green or blue, reversible and adorned with golden embroidery.
Attire of Ajloun Men
The traditional clothing for Ajloun men is categorized as follows:
- “Maznok”: A waist garment that wraps around the body and is open in front, crafted from rose fabric.
- “Shmagh”: Known as “silk,” this is headwear typically worn by men, and the Ajloun farmers traditionally wore black shmaghs.
- “Abaya”: A loose-fitting robe in lighter colors for summer and darker shades for winter.
- “Balosh”: A type of locally-made footwear crafted from rubber and secured together with nails, while farmers often opted for used or old clothing to absorb sweat and withstand continuous movement.
Traditional Clothing in Salt Governorate
The traditional attire of women in Salt is notable for its high aesthetic quality, made from luxurious materials that reflect a rich color palette inspired by the city’s abundant greenery and blooming flowers throughout the year. Women wear simple and practical madarq for daily work in the fields while donning embroidered dresses for festive occasions and gatherings.
These traditional garments embody a vital aspect of the history, identity, and culture of the Jordanian people. Each region showcases its unique designs while also exhibiting similarities with other areas, characterized by exquisite handmade craftsmanship.