Male Qatari’s wear the thobe (called a dishdash in some other Arab countries) that is a full-length white shirtdress with a wide traditional collar, French cuffs, deep side pockets and one chest pocket. There is also an inverted pleat in the back similar to Oxford shirts. It either buttons or zips half way down and is usually worn with sandals although I have seen one elderly gentleman with socks and shoes. Almost always crisp and sparkling white, they are worn with a variety of cufflinks, all large but with many different designs and gemstones. All of the thobes here are exactly the same. There are such distinct differences in the cut of these robes across the Gulf region that an Arab can usually tell what country a man is from by the tailoring details of his robe.
The one issue that I have thought about is the lack of a vent in the back as this makes it hard to take long steps (a lesson I learned the hard way stepping across a shallow muddy ditch in a bridesmaids dress 34 years ago). Understandably, you don’t see too many men running here.
The headwear is the Ghutra (headscarf) topped with a braided black cord with tassels at the end called an Ogaal that hangs down the back after being tied at the crown of the head. I think they are like ties – once they are tied, some people never redo them – they just plop them on top of the ghutra and go. The Ghutras are either red and white checked – not like the pictures that we see in the US with all of the fringe but more like oversized handkerchiefs or they are white – again crisply ironed and meticulously folded. Some of the white ones have designs and some are sheer, others are a thicker fabric. Some are flipped up, some are flipped over – from what we have heard – how a young man arranges his scarf is more of a fashion statement than anything symbolic.
The established Islamic protocol is for men to cover the area between the belly button and the knees called the awrah or ‘defectives’. Speedos would not work. The thobe easily accomplishes this. I haven’t had the nerve yet to Google what they wear underneath them. They may well be similar to kilts.
There are many shops in the souks that make thobes and tourists often seem to be buying them but all of the fabric I saw there was fairly thin lightweight polyester. I think the beautiful tailored ones made of incredible fabrics are purchased in a Qatari version of Brooks Brothers, which we may never see.
Waiting for a friend at the entrance to the local mall, I actually had the opportunity to watch what seemed to be a man in his forties with an older woman watching (wife #1) teach a younger woman (wife #2) how to use the ATM. He handed her the card with what could only be described as a flourish along with a packet that I assumed held the pin number. He walked her through how to insert the card, input the pin and how to withdraw 1000 QAR at a time. If I was eavesdropping correctly – she is allowed to do this when necessary but not more than eight times a month. After she meticulously counted her money and put the card, paper and money into a small purse (wife #1 had a large designer bag), the three of them headed off for another day of shopping.
Before moving here, I had seen many pictures of men in this attire but what is not conveyed in photographs is the serious masculinity and virility projected by Arab men dressed in their national dress. They exude a strong sense of pride and confidence that is probably connected somehow to the idea that men are superior, etc but whatever the reason – it is clear they are very aware of who wields the power.
My husband did have a chance to talk to a young man about wearing the thobe after seeing him dressed one day in jeans and another in the national dress. He explained how comfortable and easy it is to wear the thobe. My spouse also commented on the difference in his appearance – jeans and t-shirt – casual and just like everyone else. Thobe – presented as taller, more serious, strong and confident
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