Islam And The Arab World Flashcards
Arabesque
Motif that avoids animal and human form. Comes from certain sects of Islam. Hispano-Moresque style of design is derived from this style.
Hilal
Crescent moon shape that is a common motif. Often seen stylized with stars. It appears on flags in many Middle Eastern countries.
Green
Most important color to Islamic symbolism. Universal meaning of growth and springtime renewal. Also associated with Mohammed because he had a green flag as a war banner.
Misbaha
Islamic prayer beads. 99 round beads represent prayers and is also commonly held that it represents the 99 adjectival descriptions of Allah in the Koran.
Hand of Fatima
Amulet symbol. As a general rule, the Sunni branch of Islam condemns the use if amulets but Shi’ites do use them. It’s an amulet shaped like a hand. Sometimes see a lizard in the center.
Wudu
Act of bathing before prayer. There is a washbasin outside of mosque to wash ones hands, feet, lower legs, and face.
Kufi
Islamic male hat. Covers the head and is the source of the Turkish fez hat. Also known as the kofia or taqiyah. Sometimes worn just for holidays and some people wear it all the time. Different areas in the Middle East advocate different styles of this hat.
Keffiyeh
Male scarf or headscarf. Can be different colors and commonly has an interwoven pattern. Has more to do with regional things than religious. Probably developed to protect hair from desert sandstorms. Can be draped or wrapped in different ways. Typically have self-fringe or tassels.
Agal
Thick, black cords that hold keffiyeh down. Don’t have to have an agal to wear keffiyeh. Saudi Arabia wear white keffiyehs with the agal.
Djellaba
Floor length tunic that has a hood. Is often worn to the mosque and on holidays. Man’s clothing. Hood is pointed. It’s lean through the and closed in the center front. Worn primarily in North Africa in morocco and Tunisia.
Bournouse
Male garment in North Africa. Has been adopted as a female garment in 19th century Orientalist Western style. Hood is baggy. Worn for horse riding. Open front and draped style. Worn as a cloak.
Gandora
T-shaped, long, floor length garment. Quite square in shape. Male dress. Sometimes heavily decorated.
Awrah
“Zone of modesty”. Male zone is pretty static and is between the knees and navel. Female zone tends to fluctuate between different countries and sects. Some say only eyes should show, and others are ok with a turtleneck, jeans, and a headscarf.
Hijabi
A woman who covers and wears hijab
Hijab
The headscarf and can also mean covered. It can also mean general being of modesty. On the Arabic language outside of female wear, it can mean veil or covering. Some women begin to cover head at 3, others when menstruate, and others when they get married (primarily in North Africa).
