Djellaba

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Djellaba (Moroccan Arabic جلابة) (also jellāb(a) and jellābiyya)^[1] is a Moroccan traditional loose-fitting outer robe.

1 Types
2 See also
3 External links
4 References and notes

[edit] Types

Djellabas come in different shapes and colours, and are worn in different forms. The djellaba is a long, loosely fitting hooded outer robe with full sleeves. They are made in many different shapes and colours; generally men wear light colours, which is important as this helps reflect the strong Moroccan sun, men also traditionally wear a red fez hat and soft yellow slippers (baboosh) with a djellaba. Light colours are also available for women to wear but despite this, women choose to wear brighter colors such as pinks, blues and even black! The hood is of vital importance for both sexes as it protects the wearer from the sun and in earlier times was used as a defence against sand being blown into the wearers face by strong desert winds. It is not uncommon for the hood to be used as an informal pocket during times of nice weather, and can fit loaves of bread or bags of groceries. Djellabas are made of a wide variety of materials, from cotton for summer-time djellabas to coarse wool for winter djellabas. The wool is typically harvested from sheep living in the surrounding mountains and then a long process of turning the wool into yarn is carried out and it is then woven in the fabric to create the garment.

Djellabas are worn by both men and women; the men's style is generally baggier, of darker colors, and plain. Women's djellabas are tighter and can sport elaborate decorative stitching in a variety of colors. Women sometimes add a scarf. Almost all djellabas of both styles include a baggy hood called a 'cob' that comes to a point at the back. Traditionally Djellabas reach right down to the ground but nowadays they are becoming slimmer and shorter.

The Islamic religion of Morocco is also a key factor in the way that Moroccan people dress. The djellaba covers the whole body and is therefore an acceptable modest outfit.