Algerian Kaftan

The presence of the caftan in Algeria dates far back to the Rustamid period, the Zirid period in the 10th century and is also attested during the Zayyanid period. Prior to the Zirid period, during the Rustamid period the great value, good reputation and significant influence of the Algerian city Tahert which was an important commercial centre attributed it the nickname “Iraq of the Maghreb” as reported by El Yakubi in the 9th century.

The Algerian caftans differ in style and have their own unique motifs, for example in the gallery below the first picture of a caftan although described as “probably being made in Morocco” consists of distinctive motifs on the plastron and an embroidery technique clearly aligning it with the Algerian style.Snoap, Morgan,
Algerian Women's Waistcoats - The Ghlila and Frimla: Readjusting the Lens on the Early French Colonial Era in Algeria (1830-1870)
(2020). Honors Program Theses. 114. Furthermore this caftan exhibits the most characteristic features of a typical Algerian caftan consisting of gold thread embroidery, decorative passementerie buttons and the triangular evil eye motif all of which are consistent with the caftans from the Bardo National Museum of Algiers. It is also important to note that these caftans feature the distinctive evil eye motif and the looping decorative patterns present in the embroidery on the Algerian Ghlila which the female Algerian caftan is said to have descended from.Isabelle Paresys (26 February 2008). Paraître et apparences en Europe occidentale du Moyen Âge à nos jours. Presses Univ. Septentrion. p. 236. . This embroidery was a symbol of wealth and status in the 17th century.

File:Caftan algerois.jpg, Caftan from the National Museum of Bardo in Algiers exhibiting the distinctive Algerian motifs

In the 16th century Diego de Haëdo described the Algerian caftan as ridiculous due to the elaborate metal thread ornaments rendering the garment expensive. In 1789, the diplomat Venture de Paradis presented an observation of the women of Algiers:

Since then several types of caftans have been developed, while still respecting the original pattern. Nowadays, the Algerian female Kaftans, including the modernised versions, are seen as an essential garment in the bride's trousseau in cities such as Algiers, Annaba, Bejaia, Blida, Constantine, Miliana, Nedroma and Tlemcen.

As a result of the French invasion of Algeria many Algerians immigrated to Tetouan and other Moroccan cities where they owned many shops, the shiny costumes worn by the Algerians differed to the simple costumes of the Moroccans. Through the European eye the Moroccan costume was picturesque but simple and differed from the Algerian dress which was rich and sumptuous.Revue des deux mondes
Au bureau de la Revue des deux mondes

See also

• Chedda of Tlemcen

• Kaftan

• Ghlila

• Djebba Fergani

References

{{Reflist

Algerian clothing