Mansoojat Foundation

Museum of Saudi Arabian Costume online

The Jahdaly tribe

Location: Lith, Hijaz, Western Region

The Jahdaly tribe inhabits an area of wadis draining down to the coastal plain between the holy city of Makkah and al-Lith on the Red Sea coast.

The Tihamah or coastal plain runs almost the entire length of the Red Sea. It is a sweltering region of low-lying sandy plains merging with the foothills of the Hijaz mountains.

Wadis drain the Hijaz mountains and foothills after rain. They rarely reach the sea, but provide fertile areas for lowland farming and grazing.

Jahdaly women’s clothing is made of locally dyed red and brown imported muslin. The garments are decorated with metal beads, sewn in geometric patterns on contrasting bands of appliqué.

Jahdaly women seem to be the only tribal women to wear skirts and blouses. Their skirts are often lined with recycled flour sacks.

Their headdresses are varied and are also decorated with metal beads.

Jahdaly costume appliquéd with fine bands of contrasting coloured fabric and embroidered with small metal beads. The headdress ridayah is made of fabric, and the long tassels are a combination of metal beads with a thread fringe.

Geography, Architecture and Natural History

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