Bethlehem Folklore Museum (1): Bridal dress
Copyright
(2009)
Spirit Of Sumud Tourism Program
Visitors in the Bethlehem Folklore Museum, on a stone's throw from Nativity Square.
The women of Bethlehem, as in most Palestinian towns, used to spend most of their free time in embroidery wortk, partly because the land is not very fertile, and because they do not need to help in the fields. Consequently embroidery played a important role in traditional dresses which are unfortunately about to vanish. The Malak (king’s) robe, the main piece in bridal outfits, was richly embroidered and had long sleeves. It was made of cotton and silk striped in orange, green, violet and black. The Malak robe was worn afterwards for all special occasions; Christian women were buried with it, but not the Moslems.
The women of Bethlehem, as in most Palestinian towns, used to spend most of their free time in embroidery wortk, partly because the land is not very fertile, and because they do not need to help in the fields. Consequently embroidery played a important role in traditional dresses which are unfortunately about to vanish. The Malak (king’s) robe, the main piece in bridal outfits, was richly embroidered and had long sleeves. It was made of cotton and silk striped in orange, green, violet and black. The Malak robe was worn afterwards for all special occasions; Christian women were buried with it, but not the Moslems.