Sulaym thobe showing the embroidery on the yoke, the shoulders and the appliqué
Sulaym tribe Sulaym thobe showing the embroidery on the yoke, the shoulders and the appliqué on the hem. The rectangular black headdress is decorated with red fabric and nacre buttons arranged in geometric patterns. The Sulaym are related to the Harb, and led a semi-settled life near the Red Sea coast as fishermen, traders and herders. They share the cut of their garments with the Harb. But Sulaym patchwork, quilting and intricate styles of embroidery are distinctive. Nor do they favour blue fabric. Lawrence of Arabia fought in the Arab Revolt in the Hijaz, Jordan and Syria in 1916–18. His[...]
Sulaym thobe with finely embroidered yoke
Sulaym tribe Sulaym thobe with finely embroidered yoke. The sleeves have patchwork along the shoulders and around the edges. The circular iqal (head-band ) is made of woven leather interspersed with silver beads and bound around a malleable core. The Sulaym are related to the Harb, and led a semi-settled life near the Red Sea coast as fishermen, traders and herders. They share the cut of their garments with the Harb. But Sulaym patchwork, quilting and intricate styles of embroidery are distinctive. Nor do they favour blue fabric. Lawrence of Arabia fought in the Arab Revolt in the Hijaz, Jordan[...]
Sulaym thobe in black with very elaborate handiwork
Sulaym tribe Sulaym thobe in black with very elaborate handiwork along the hem and sleeves. The decoration comprises rows of multi coloured appliqué, embroidery and metal beading. The Sulaym are related to the Harb, and led a semi-settled life near the Red Sea coast as fishermen, traders and herders. They share the cut of their garments with the Harb. But Sulaym patchwork, quilting and intricate styles of embroidery are distinctive. Nor do they favour blue fabric. Lawrence of Arabia fought in the Arab Revolt in the Hijaz, Jordan and Syria in 1916–18. His abaya, probably woven in Syria, is preserved[...]
Harb thobe in blue with alternating green on the sleeve panels
Harb tribe Harb thobe in blue with alternating green on the sleeve panels, and patchwork on the shoulders. The burqu ' (face mask) is made of yellow silk and the front is embroidered with real pearls. The great oasis in the lava-flows of the northern Hijaz, known as al-Madinah al-Munawwarah or “The Illuminated City”, was the place where the Prophet Muhammad took refuge on his flight from Makkah in AD 622, the date at which the Muslim calendar begins. Here he established the first Muslim community, and here he died in AD 632, having finally succeeded in establishing Islam and[...]
Harb thobe with an embroidered yoke
Harb tribe Harb thobe with an embroidered yoke surrounded by handmade nacre buttons and a patchwork hem. The sleeves are long, always in two colours and triangular in shape. The headdress is decorated with buttons. The great oasis in the lava-flows of the northern Hijaz, known as al-Madinah al-Munawwarah or “The Illuminated City”, was the place where the Prophet Muhammad took refuge on his flight from Makkah in AD 622, the date at which the Muslim calendar begins. Here he established the first Muslim community, and here he died in AD 632, having finally succeeded in establishing Islam and the[...]
Rashaidah thobe with patchwork decoration
Rashaidah Tribe Rashaidah thobe with patchwork decoration on the front, back and the right sleeve. The long burqu' (face mask) is embroidered with silver thread and has a fringe. The mountains of Jabal Shammar shield northern Najd from the sands of the Great Nafud desert. Grazing is good and the area was famed for its Arabian horses. Lady Anne Blunt and her husband Wilfrid came in search of horses when they visited the Amir Ibn Rashid at Hail in 1878–9. The Rashaida tribe of the Hail region have migrated far and wide, to Sudan and Ethiopia. The Hail area is[...]
Rashaidah thobe of multicoloured patchwork
Rashaidah tribe Rashaidah thobe of multicoloured patchwork. The velvet (bukhnuq) headdress has a panel in the back and is embroidered with metal beads in geometric patterns. The mountains of Jabal Shammar shield northern Najd from the sands of the Great Nafud desert. Grazing is good and the area was famed for its Arabian horses. Lady Anne Blunt and her husband Wilfrid came in search of horses when they visited the Amir Ibn Rashid at Hail in 1878–9. The Rashaida tribe of the Hail region have migrated far and wide, to Sudan and Ethiopia. The Hail area is rich in ancient[...]
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[...]
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.
Sulaym tribe Sulaym thobe showing the embroidery on the yoke, the shoulders and the appliqué on the hem. The rectangular black headdress is decorated with red fabric and nacre buttons[...]
Sulaym tribe Sulaym thobe with finely embroidered yoke. The sleeves have patchwork along the shoulders and around the edges. The circular iqal (head-band ) is made of woven leather interspersed[...]
Sulaym tribe Sulaym thobe in black with very elaborate handiwork along the hem and sleeves. The decoration comprises rows of multi coloured appliqué, embroidery and metal beading. The Sulaym are[...]
Harb tribe Harb thobe in blue with alternating green on the sleeve panels, and patchwork on the shoulders. The burqu ' (face mask) is made of yellow silk and the[...]
Harb tribe Harb thobe with an embroidered yoke surrounded by handmade nacre buttons and a patchwork hem. The sleeves are long, always in two colours and triangular in shape. The[...]
Rashaidah Tribe Rashaidah thobe with patchwork decoration on the front, back and the right sleeve. The long burqu' (face mask) is embroidered with silver thread and has a fringe. The[...]
Rashaidah tribe Rashaidah thobe of multicoloured patchwork. The velvet (bukhnuq) headdress has a panel in the back and is embroidered with metal beads in geometric patterns. The mountains of Jabal[...]
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[...]
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.[...]
