TITLE: Bedouin Niqab and Headcover
TYPE: face veil; head cover
GENERAL REGION: Middle East
COUNTRY: Egypt
SUBREGION: Siwa Oasis
ETHNICITY: Berber
DESCRIPTION: Berber Bedouin Woman’s Niqab (Veil Mask) and Head Covering
CATALOG #: MEEG003
MAKER: Unknown
FUNCTION: celebration; social control
AGE: ca. 1970s
MAIN MATERIAL: wool cloth
OTHER MATERIALS: metal chains; silver coins; silver ornaments; semi-precious stones; stitching
In the western desert of Egypt, Berber women living in Bedouin societies sometimes wear masks or veils called niqab. The veils serve multiple functions, including protecting the women’s face from sun damage, filtering dust from the air, displaying adornment, and demonstrating wealth or status. The veil may also allow men to exercise social control over women’s bodies, maintaining their status as proprietary to fathers and husbands. Not all Bedouian societies use the niqab, but those that do generally begin the practice after the woman or girl has been married.
The niqab worn by Bedouin women on special occasions are sometimes elaborately decorated with coins and beads, like this one. Such masks are not for everyday use; they would be too hot and heavy. They are worn during special events, such as weddings and feasts. This one comes from the Berber people in the Siwa Oasis, in the western Egyptian desert.
This set was obtained by the Museum through a generous anonymous donation.
