To understand the history, evolution, psychology and nature of the Arab and Islamic costumes, one has to investigate not only the Geographic area in question, right from the earliest evidence of civilization, until modern times, but also look into and study, the costume history of all the surrounding countries, and the ones that were in contact with them. Whether through war, migration, trade or travel. One has to read every available book written on the subject of history of civilization, and history f costumes, that one can get their hands on, and even these books are not always reliable enough, one discovers after reading some good ones.
This is the only way that would help the researcher to follow and trace back certain items of clothing, to find out where did they come from, how were they used and why, and above all how were they constructed and of what material. A formidable business to say the least.
The most confusing issue in the Arab and Islamic costume research is where to find references, there are many literal references, that have a wealth of confusing vocabulary, and do not describe an item of clothing well enough for us to figure out the actual look, There are also many Illuminated manuscripts, stucco reliefs, and other statues and paintings, from different countries and many civilizations, but the problem with these is they are not consistent, and leave many eras uncovered.
Another way to research is to visit as many Museum sites on the internet as you can from all over the world, and look at their exhibits, study them closely, for they have some details on each item which helps a lot. Besides their photos are excellent.
Finally, thanks to the conditions of the weather in Egypt, that helped preserve some very important extant items of clothing and other textile fragments that are relatively constant until the end of the Fatimid period, almost in the middle of the 13th century, Where a lot of foreign influences influenced the whole of the middle east via the Tatars and the Mamluks followed by the Ottomans.
Some book authors focused on museum extant garments, and were able to make diagrams showing the actual patterns and constructions of many of these costumes, and trace their appearance and evolution, but alas, the information is not as complete as we like them to be.
Another important hindrance being the custom of burial in Islamic time did not help as the dead are buried shrouded in a simple gauze like piece of fabric, and not as dressed as other ancient peoples had done.
To combine all this together, we may be able to have a better understanding of the costumes and their construction and the way they were used.
This is the only way that would help the researcher to follow and trace back certain items of clothing, to find out where did they come from, how were they used and why, and above all how were they constructed and of what material. A formidable business to say the least.
The most confusing issue in the Arab and Islamic costume research is where to find references, there are many literal references, that have a wealth of confusing vocabulary, and do not describe an item of clothing well enough for us to figure out the actual look, There are also many Illuminated manuscripts, stucco reliefs, and other statues and paintings, from different countries and many civilizations, but the problem with these is they are not consistent, and leave many eras uncovered.
Another way to research is to visit as many Museum sites on the internet as you can from all over the world, and look at their exhibits, study them closely, for they have some details on each item which helps a lot. Besides their photos are excellent.
Finally, thanks to the conditions of the weather in Egypt, that helped preserve some very important extant items of clothing and other textile fragments that are relatively constant until the end of the Fatimid period, almost in the middle of the 13th century, Where a lot of foreign influences influenced the whole of the middle east via the Tatars and the Mamluks followed by the Ottomans.
Some book authors focused on museum extant garments, and were able to make diagrams showing the actual patterns and constructions of many of these costumes, and trace their appearance and evolution, but alas, the information is not as complete as we like them to be.
Another important hindrance being the custom of burial in Islamic time did not help as the dead are buried shrouded in a simple gauze like piece of fabric, and not as dressed as other ancient peoples had done.
To combine all this together, we may be able to have a better understanding of the costumes and their construction and the way they were used.
No comments:
Post a Comment