Object Note
This undergarment (sarwal) is part of a three-piece ensemble, that also includes an embroidered overgarment (thawb) (ZI2006.50012 UAE) and a tunic dress (kandurah) (ZI2006.50012a UAE).
Object History
Dr. Reem Tariq el Mutwalli bought this outfit from Fatima al Ali, Um Hassan, a craftswoman from Sharjah because she felt it was the quintessential contemporary interpretation of traditional Emirati style. Fatima had worn the outfit a few times on social occasions.
Fatima is a high school graduate, married to her paternal cousin and has 3 daughters and four sons. She uses her crafting skills to make traditional (talli), outfits such as this and face masks (burgu).
Object Features
These underpants (sarwal) were made from the same striped, satin silk material (bu_nsaiah) as the matching tunic dress (kandurah). The name is in reference to the chevron-like lines that form some of the stripes recalling cotton weave of drawstring cord (nsaiah) found on such undergarments (sarawil).
This more modern version example uses an elasticated waist band and zippers in matching green for the ankle cuffs.
The decorative cuffing (badlah_dag) follows the same style of machine embroidery found on the accompanying outfit, namely, the paisley (gazuwah) and arabesques motifs in gold and silver metallic thread (zari).
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