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Issue 23

Clothing and Adornment in Eastern Arabia (132-656 AH)

الأستاذة/ أسماء خالد سلمان إدارة سياسات وتطوير المناهج وزارة التربية والتعليم - مملكة البحرين

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Abstract

Clothing and adornment represent an important aspect of civilized life, contributing to a close depiction of the region's identity and culture. The type of clothing, its materials, sources, and other related questions together shape the civilization of the area, influenced by various factors that help form general judgments about the region's social and economic behavior.

This research studies the topics of clothing and adornment in Eastern Arabia from 132 to 656 AH, considering it a vast region blessed with growth and prosperity. Its unique location made it a target of ambitions and a focal point for conflicts, leading to a turbulent history marked by instability. This backdrop highlights the distinct way of life of the region's inhabitants compared to other areas of the Arabian Peninsula.

The region is renowned for its textile production, which was a primary source of livelihood for its people and a key aspect of their trade. Clothing varied due to several factors, being influenced by social conditions while also affecting them. Distinctions arose between the clothing of the elite and the common people, the free and the enslaved, and Muslims and others. Additionally, there were various characteristics in terms of color and style. Both men and women had their specific garments, although there were also shared clothing items for both genders.

With Islam's emphasis on beauty and encouragement towards adornment and refinement, a notable interest developed in methods of beautification, with women reaping the largest share. Women adorned themselves with jewelry, gemstones, kohl, and henna, while men took care of their appearance by wearing rings and dyeing their beards and hair with henna. The region’s inhabitants frequently used various types of perfumes, highlighting a collective appreciation for beauty and elegance.