What Do Somali Women Wear?

Somali women typically wear theguntiino, a long piece of cloth draped around the waist and tied over the shoulder, while going about their daily business. Alandi is a fabric that is frequently used in the Horn of Africa and some regions of North Africa to make the guntiino. There are numerous ways to wear the item. Many different materials, such as white cloth with gold borders, can also be used to make it. Somali women dress in the dirac, a long, light, diaphanous voile dress made of cotton, polyester, or saree cloth, for more formal occasions like weddings or religious events like Eid.

The short-sleeved Arabian kaftan dress has a connection to the dirac. It is put on over a brassiere and a full-length half-slip. The underskirt, sometimes referred to as the gorgorad, is an essential component of the entire ensemble and is composed of silk. The most popular dirac designs feature guilded borders or threads and are frequently dazzling and vibrant. Along with the gorgorad, the fabric is often purchased from Somali clothes shops. In the past, South Asian merchants were a common source for dirac cloth purchases.

Married ladies frequently use garbasaar shawls to cover their upper bodies as well as shash head scarves to cover their heads. However, young or unmarried somali women do not always cover their heads. Additionally, traditional Arabian attire like the jilbab is frequently worn.
Henna is also a significant component of Somali culture. During weddings, Eid, Ramadan, and other festive occasions, Somali women wear it on their hands, arms, feet, and neck. Henna designs in Somalia are comparable to those in the Arabian peninsula and frequently include floral motifs and triangular shapes. Henna is usually applied to the fingertips and applied to the palm in the form of dots. Typically, henna celebrations take place before weddings.

In addition, gold jewelry, especially bangles, has a long history of being worn by Somali women. The bride is typically dressed in gold at weddings. By custom, many Somali women also don anklets and necklaces made of gold.