Omani Traditional clothing for Men and Women

Womens Traditional Clothing

The Traditional way of clothing for women is called Omaniya. Omaniya is an arabic word which in direct transilation means something or someone being Omani. the Womens Omaniya dress is consistant of four main clothing items. these clothing items are called Dishdasha, sarwal, waqaya and finally the lahaf.

Dishdasha:

the Female Dishdasha is traditionally a dress which extends to the knees, if not even lower the the knees. The Dishdasha has a neckline tracing. Lose long sleeves which reach down to the wrist. The Dishdasha is a very modest garment. Traditionally made from colourful prints made from cotton or even cotton/silk blends. The extent that a women will embellish and enhance her Dishdasha will simply change based on the use of the Dishdasha. A dishdasha which is used at home will only be embellished around the ends of the sleeve (on the wrist). Other special events an occasions require the dishdasha to be embellished all around. On the neck, chest and along side the arms.

Sarwal:

Sarwal is basically the bottom half of the dishdasha. Knowing that the dishdasha may extent to the ankles, it was still necessary for a woman to cover her whole legs. This however has a purpose due to the Omani lifestyle. The Sarwal obtains a lose fitting style as its more comfortable for works. A women used to spend most of her time working on the lands (farms) supervising animals or collecting vegetation to feed the herd or fuel fire for cooking. It was also useful for when rest times. As in Oman people sit on the ground its necessary to have a lose fitting garment in order to move with ease. Not only did the sarwal support comfort but it was also used as todays undergarment.

Waqaya:

This piece of cloth which is usually 150 cm long and 75 cm wide, is often made from lighter clothes then the sarwal or the female Dishdasha. This piece of cloth can be embroidered on the edges by colours or a solid colour. One of waqyas feature is the fringing on both shorter edges of the waqaya cloth. This fringing is essesntial to making a piece of normal cloth called waqaya.

Lahaf:

A Lahaf is commonly described as a headscarf today. It is without fringing on any corners of the “scarf”

The Lahaf is not worn around the head tightly however is just placed on top of the head loosely. It is draped over the top of the head. The Lahaf hangs down both sides of the face and down the back. The Lahaf isn’t traditionally won indoors. Its only worn when a women steps out of her house for traditional reasons. A woman with Zanzibar orgin or connection would use a Kanga scarf instead of a Lahaf.

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Mens Traditional Clothing

Dishdasha:

The mens dishsasha is a white body full length garment which is traditionally white, however can be in other colors as well. If colors other, then white are used they are mostly earth tone colors. The dishdasha has a long opening going through the middle of the body from the neck going down just under the chest. As well as a long tassel hanging down from the neckline (to the side of the neckline). It has long sleeves and embroidery around the end of the sleeve (the wrist) and also down the middle of the garment. This is shown on the image above. This embroidery also goes across the back on shoulders level.

Wazar:

The wazar is used as undergarment which is worn under the dishdasha. The wazar is usually made from cotton. traditionally this piece of cloth is made in white. On the south of Oman only fibers are used due to the weather and conditions there. In south of Oman there is a tendency of using thicker fabrics then in central or north of Oman. The wazar is wrapped around the waste not tied. The wazar usually extends to the middle of the calf muscle or even lower reaching to the ankles. The wazar shouldn’t show hanging out under the dishdasha. The only time it could show is when the dishdasha is lifted up. For example, when sitting. People in Oman lift the Dishdasha up so it doesn’t get dirty.

Headdress:

Kuma:

The Kuma is believed to be obtained through historical ties from Zanzibar. The Kuma is a hand embroidered cap (buttonhole stitch). The Kuma must be tailored to its owner as its not size free. A feature of this “cap” is that it has holes throughout the embroidery work to keep the head cool.

Masar:

The Masar is an embroidered wool turban Kashmir which is made in India. The Masar can be tied around the head with or without the Kuma beneath it. However most people in Oman use a kuma underneath as it gives more shape and structure to the Masar. The masar is now used to give a more elegant look and is considered to be more formal as people going to school wear Kumas only, however during special occasions like Eid they are worn.