Beauty in the Emirati culture

What does beauty mean to an individual woman? Let's see the general idea!

Women like being complimented and being said beautiful, right? But why? Why is it for some women beauty is important? Is it because of men? Is it because of the society? Or is it for them? Either way, everyone wants to be called pretty. There are different kinds of beauty all over the world. We all find attractiveness in levels of our presumptions and what captures the eye.

The Emirati culture is rich with values, beliefs, and traditions. In beauty there are traditions too! Especially in the past! 

Now the UAE has become more liberated than before because of the westerners influence towards our lifestyle and beauty. But somehow some are still alive till now and is not forgotten by the young generation. It may be difficult to teach the past and history, yet it can be taught as long as there are girls who are willing to learn and teach others.

Kohl

Ithmid kohl is a black Kohl stone found in the western areas such as Morocco including most Arab countries. It’s a part of our Islamic and cultural tradition, it can be found in poems and religious texts.

The pure Ithmid Kohl is beneficial to the eyes since it strengthens the nerves, dissolves excess flesh around ulcers and closes the wound while cleansing the area around them. However certain brands aren't pure and contain dangerous levels of lead.  Bedouin men used to wear kohl to provide protection against both the "evil eye" and sandstorms

A study also has shown that kohl sold in the local market revealed that many of these contained between 85% - 100% lead per gram, which could harm the eyes especially with children as well as causing death.

Ithmid khol also tends to be cold and dry it relieves headache when it is blended with pure watery honey. When its ground and mixed with tender fat and then used as a bandage over burns, it prevents blisters from appearing and also helps cure the skin damage that occurs in cases of burns by fire.

Interesting fact: Whenever the Messenger of Allah used to apply Kohl, he would use it thrice in the right eye; beginning with it and finishing with it and twice in the left eye.”

Burqa

 Women in Islamic traditions tend to wear burqa to cover their faces when in public & in front of men, It’s also a tradition in the UAE that was used in the older generation of UAE national ladies

It is made from percale (cotton fabric)  and stained with indigo which gives it the golden metal like sheen. It acts as a beauty treatment by whitening and softening the skin and girls usually put on a burqa after their engagement or when they hit puberty.

Interesting fact: whenever a woman wore a burqa, it immediately meant that she was ‘taken’.

Gold 

Gold and green symbolizes the color of paradise. It has more values in Islam than diamonds.

in the past, gold was used to produce jewelry, robes, vessels, and art. It was also widely used in medical practices. There’s also a rule where men CANNOT wear gold and only women can wear this charm.

Owning gold in the past regards as being wealthy and rich.

It was not allowed for women to wear any type of jewelry that jingles or makes a sound because it can attracts a man’s attention, also when a woman gets engaged it is a need for the groom to buy her gold jewelry.

Interesting quote: If in the western world there’s a saying that: “A diamond is girl’s best friend” then here in the UAE: “Gold is a woman’s best friend”

Talli

Talli practices & designs are considered to be one of the most prestigious and oldest

industries in the UAE. It is the art of the women's career which has been exercised and traded in homes, between relatives and neighbors, they did not have market or shops or any type of promotion. Talli gave an important significance towards the local women and provided jobs for themselves. That’s why talli is an important part in our heritage. It relates to the merits of beauty & creativity in women.

Talli represents and shows beauty in a lady. Women used to wear talli made with cotton in normal days however they wore it in luxurious materials when there is an event or a special occasion.

Henna

Henna has been a symbol of good luck, health and sensuality in the Arab world. The henna designs are an important part of Emirati culture.

Women used to put henna for weddings, special occasions and part of fun activity. There are henna parties in society and they display their designs there.

The henna plant has been used since the Bronze Age to enhance beauty for dyeing skin, leather, silk, wool and hair.  The plant has been associated with positive magic , Many generations of the Emirati women have used a paste made primarily of dried ground henna leaves to cover their hands and feet and hair as its said to bring positive vibes and energy to one’s self.

Tourists

If tourists have interest about our culture and they want to learn more, they can visit the UAE during special occasions like Eid, the UAE national day, heritage day, & also any kind of events that will reconcile the Vintage Days. They can also try wearing the UAE traditional clothing like Jalabeya, abaya, shela, and also try henna & the ithmid kohl. Just to gain experience.

 Conclusion 

In the end no one can forget about the past, because there would be no present or future without it.