Wadi Dawasir silk thobe
Wadi Dawasir, Central Region Wadi Dawasir thobe of silk with very fine embroidery along the front and the two sleeves. These embroidery motifs are repeated on thobes from all over the Central Region and are applied to day and evening garments. Central Saudi Arabia, or Najd, is a land of desert, escarpment and oases. Traditionally, this region has been populated by nomadic herders and settled farmers. Tribal affiliation is valued and frequently spans the nomad–settler divide. From its capital at al-Dir‘iyyah near Riyadh, the Al Saud dynasty first united central and eastern Arabia in the 18th century, before finally unifying[...]
Yam thobe
Yam tribe Yam thobe cut with a fitted waistband, ample skirt and wide triangular sleeves. The belt is hand woven leather and the headdress is made of wool. The great Wadi Najran drains the Asir highlands eastwards into the sands of the Empty Quarter, having irrigated much productive farmland along its course. Tall fortified farmsteads built in mud layers have been typical of Wadi Najran since ancient times. Yam are the important nomadic tribe of Najran. They are related to Bani Murra, the renowned trackers and guides of the Empty Quarter and Eastern Province. Women of Yam wear simpler attire[...]
Asir velvet thobe
Asir, Southern Region Asir velvet thobe with front embroidered panels which recall the motifs of the hand painted decorations on the interiors of the traditional Asir homes. Asir, like the highlands of southern Hijaz, is traditionally a region of settled tribespeople. Peaks rise to 3,000 metres, and terraced farming is fed by both winter and summer rains. Buildings are tall, of both stone and mud. In Asir sarongs are worn beneath dresses, to conceal and protect their pantaloons while the women work in the fields. Straw hats are still worn. Both men and women wear flowers in their hair. Women[...]
Asir floral printed thobe
Asir, Southern Region Asir, like the highlands of southern Hijaz, is traditionally a region of settled tribespeople. Peaks rise to 3,000 metres, and terraced farming is fed by both winter and summer rains. Buildings are tall, of both stone and mud. In Asir sarongs are worn beneath dresses, to conceal and protect their pantaloons while the women work in the fields. Straw hats are still worn. Both men and women wear flowers in their hair. Women braid basil into their tresses beneath yellow scarves. Men sport wreaths of flowers and aromatic herbs.
Al Baha man’s bidi aba
Al Baha, Southern Region The highland plateau atop the mountain escarpment is green and fertile. It is a land of terraced farms, juniper forests and rural buildings of both stone and mud. In these southern regions the tailoring was done by men. Al Baha man's bidi aba (cloak) made of white goat's wool and embroidered along the front and on the shoulders. The ends of the sleeves are decorated with long multi-strand tassels.
Bani Malik little girl’s thobe
The Bani Malik Tribe Bani Malik little girl's thobe in black cotton fabric cut and embroidered in the same style as for an adult. Glass beads are interspersed along the embroidered panels. Neighbouring Bani Sa‘d to the south is the Bani Malik tribe. The decorative stonework of their architecture is typical of the southern Hijaz. As with Bani Sa‘d dresses, the cut of Bani Malik dresses is straight. They are distinguished by their predominantly yellow embroidery. Small glass beads interspersed with red knots are used to give body to the embroidery. Sleeves are short to allow for silver bracelets.
Banik Malik thobe with embroidered side and front panels
The Bani Malik tribe Bani Malik thobe with embroidered side and front panels. The short sleeves are to allow for silver bracelets. The head veil is decorated with glass beads. Neighbouring Bani Sa‘d to the south is the Bani Malik tribe. The decorative stonework of their architecture is typical of the southern Hijaz. As with Bani Sa‘d dresses, the cut of Bani Malik dresses is straight. They are distinguished by their predominantly yellow embroidery. Small glass beads interspersed with red knots are used to give body to the embroidery. Sleeves are short to allow for silver bracelets.
Bani Malik thobe embroidered in yellow
The Bani Malik tribe Description of Costume: Bani Malik thobe embroidered predominantly in yellow. Small glass beads decorate the yoke and surround the embroidered panels. The qarqoosh (hat) is also beaded. Neighbouring Bani Sa‘d to the south is the Bani Malik tribe. The decorative stonework of their architecture is typical of the southern Hijaz. As with Bani Sa‘d dresses, the cut of Bani Malik dresses is straight. They are distinguished by their predominantly yellow embroidery. Small glass beads interspersed with red knots are used to give body to the embroidery. Sleeves are short to allow for silver bracelets.
Bani Sa’ad thobe with embroidered sides and underpants
The Bani Sa'ad tribe Description of Costume:Bani Sa'ad thobe with embroidered sides and the equally embroidered underpants. Around the waist is a silver belt. The silver mataweeh headdress is worn for special occasions. Location: Taif, Hijaz, Western Region The Bani Sa'ad occupy a fertile section South-East of Taif, their terraced fields and hill-top villages overlooked by rugged mountains. The Prophet Muhammad's wet-nurse came from this tribe. Clothing in the Taif region is usually tight-fitting and fully lined for warmth in the cold mountain climate. Lavish embroidery, always in vibrant colours and geometric designs, adorns hems, side panels, cuffs, back, the[...]
Bani Sa’ad thobe with embroidered sides and sleeves
The Bani Sa'ad tribe Description of Costume:Bani Sa'ad thobe with embroidered sides and sleeves. The head veil is embroidered with silver metal beads and has elaborate fringes on each of the four corners. Location: Taif, Hijaz, Western Region The Bani Sa'ad occupy a fertile section South-East of Taif, their terraced fields and hill-top villages overlooked by rugged mountains. The Prophet Muhammad's wet-nurse came from this tribe. Clothing in the Taif region is usually tight-fitting and fully lined for warmth in the cold mountain climate. Lavish embroidery, always in vibrant colours and geometric designs, adorns hems, side panels, cuffs, back, the[...]
Wadi Dawasir, Central Region Wadi Dawasir thobe of silk with very fine embroidery along the front and the two sleeves. These embroidery motifs are repeated on thobes from all over[...]
Yam tribe Yam thobe cut with a fitted waistband, ample skirt and wide triangular sleeves. The belt is hand woven leather and the headdress is made of wool. The great[...]
Asir, Southern Region Asir velvet thobe with front embroidered panels which recall the motifs of the hand painted decorations on the interiors of the traditional Asir homes. Asir, like the[...]
Asir, Southern Region Asir, like the highlands of southern Hijaz, is traditionally a region of settled tribespeople. Peaks rise to 3,000 metres, and terraced farming is fed by both winter[...]
Al Baha, Southern Region The highland plateau atop the mountain escarpment is green and fertile. It is a land of terraced farms, juniper forests and rural buildings of both stone[...]
The Bani Malik Tribe Bani Malik little girl's thobe in black cotton fabric cut and embroidered in the same style as for an adult. Glass beads are interspersed along the[...]
The Bani Malik tribe Bani Malik thobe with embroidered side and front panels. The short sleeves are to allow for silver bracelets. The head veil is decorated with glass beads.[...]
The Bani Malik tribe Description of Costume: Bani Malik thobe embroidered predominantly in yellow. Small glass beads decorate the yoke and surround the embroidered panels. The qarqoosh (hat) is also[...]
The Bani Sa'ad tribe Description of Costume:Bani Sa'ad thobe with embroidered sides and the equally embroidered underpants. Around the waist is a silver belt. The silver mataweeh headdress is worn[...]
The Bani Sa'ad tribe Description of Costume:Bani Sa'ad thobe with embroidered sides and sleeves. The head veil is embroidered with silver metal beads and has elaborate fringes on each of[...]
