Object History
Dr. Reem Tariq El Mutwalli, The Zay Initiative founder was initially contacted on Instagram by Mariam Khalfan Mohammed Khalifah al Maydi al Badwawi, who offered to volunteer and help source old artifacts from the northern Emirates for the Zay Collection. Mariam has been an invaluable addition to our team, as she connects easily with people and patiently explains our role, convincing others to help the cause. This (kandurah_arabiyah khwar_zari) is one of her finds.
Mariam came across this article together with a few more from the late Mohammed ‘Ayish al Qaydi, who passed away in the 1990’s. His family had luckily held on to them and were willing to sell them to The Zay Initiative.
Object Features
A skullcap crocheted with white cotton thread. These caps are available in a variety of patterns and motifs, usually sporting enough openings to allow the head to ventilate. The purpose of the skullcap is to keep the headscarf (ghutrah) or (kufiyah) in place and to protect it from natural hair oil and sweat.
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