- Title: WESTERN SAHARA: Sahrawi traditional dress remains popular with Sahara inhabitants
- Date: 4th April 2010
- Summary: LAAYOUNE, WESTERN SAHARA (27 MARCH 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF WOMEN AT WORK IN OFFICE M'LAHFAS VARIOUS OF WOMEN IN CLASSROOM WEARING M'LAHFAS
- Embargoed: 19th April 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Western Sahara
- Country: Western Sahara
- Topics: Lifestyle
- Reuters ID: LVABA99813MGK2VYHYZ88T1U5X4T
- Story Text: Sahrawis in the disputed North African territory take pride in their traditional dress which adheres to the tribal conservative values.
Lining the streets of Laayoune in the Western Sahara are small shops selling the traditional dress of the area's inhabitants.
Inside the shops the sound of humming sewing machines can be heard, as tailors set about making the garments worn by men and women.
Many of the men usually tend to wear Sahrawi traditional dress for special occasions and formal events. But the women wear them on a daily basis. For the women their M'lahfas of long and brightly coloured material cover them from head to toe, it also protects them from the harsh sun, and due to their loose fitting cut, they are also practical and comfortable to wear.
The traditional Sahrawi dress is also a symbol of identity for the the people in the region, and tailor Sidi Ahmed al-Kinti says it's popular with people from different generations.
"Sahrawi people are still attached to their traditional dress because they feel at ease when they wear it. It is still very popular among old people but young people also like it. They refuse to change their traditional dress because they feel comfortable and at peace when wearing it,'' said Al-Kinti while at work in his shop.
The garments vary in price and quality, with some selling for hundreds, if not thousands, of dirhams.
Fatiha Blouza owns a clothes shop selling M'lahfas -- she says the garment is popular amongst women due to its ease of wear.
"We cannot wear anything else except our traditional dress. We cannot wear anything else except m'lahfa. Sahrawi women are attached to m'lahfas because they cover them well and also because they are an authentic garment,'' said Blouza having just shown off a variety of M'lahfas to a customer.
A lot of the fabric is made abroad and exported to the Western Sahara or Morocco. Some of the most expensive fabrics come from Germany, with China producing more affordable material.
"There is a daily innovation in this field according to the imported material. We import some excellent material from Germany and also from China. We also import some other material from China. We also have shoes from Dubai. They are very popular,'' said shop owner Mohamed Fal.
The distinctive colours for men are usually blue and white, and women choose to wear more colourful and ornate garments.
The Sahrawi traditional dress is also given as gifts to visitors. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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