TITLE: Harb Bedouin Mask
TYPE: face veil
GENERAL REGION: Middle East
COUNTRY: Saudi Arabia
SUBREGION: Arabian Peninsula (Bilad al-Sham)
ETHNICITY: Arab (Harb)
DESCRIPTION: Harb Bedouin Mask
CATALOG ID: MESA001
MAKER: Unknown
FUNCTION: celebration; social control
AGE: 1970s
MAIN MATERIAL: cotton cloth
OTHER MATERIALS: stitching; silver ornaments
In the Hijaz (Islamic holy land), Arabic women of the Harb tribe wear the veil on certain occasions. The Harb people are a Bedouin tribe living between western Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The function of the veil is ostensibly to preserve female modesty, which allows male tribe members to control female bodies. 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, and when strangers visit the camp.
