ʿabaʾ

clothing
Also known as: ′abāyah, aba, abaya

Learn about this topic in these articles:

liturgical vestment

  • Buddhist monk
    In religious dress: Islam

    …worn in association with an ʿabāʾ (a long, full garment), traditionally of camel hair and brown or black. This is sometimes secured by a ḥijām, or cummerbund. In this second regional variant, the ʿimāmah becomes a full turban replacing the cap, or fez. A green turban usually denotes a sharīf,…

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Middle Eastern dress

  • Hans Holbein the Younger: portrait of Henry VIII
    In dress: The Middle East from the 6th century

    The aba (ʿabāʾ or abaya) was of ancient origin and is mentioned in the Bible as the attire of Hebrew prophets. It was traditionally made of heavy cream-coloured wool decorated with brightly coloured stripes or embroidery. A voluminous outer gown still worn throughout the Middle East…

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Saudi Arabia

  • Saudi Arabia
    In Saudi Arabia: Daily life and social customs

    …black cloak known as an ʿabāyah is worn. A veil called a hijab covers the head, and another known as a niqāb covers the face. Among Bedouin, women’s clothing is often quite ornate and has traditionally consisted of a beautiful panoply of handcrafted silver jewelry.

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