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Qarqush, who does really know about it? How many publications did write about
it? It’s clear that it’s been neglected even though it’s an essential tradition for many
Yemenis..
By Afrah Nasser
Qarqush is a cultural traditional aspect by infants and brides. It’s a long time when other women sell them. In addition,
of Yemen that little has been said about. traditional costume for many Yemeni Qarqush could be bought in local markets
It’s untold story of how Yemeni families children and brides. It’s a colorful piece in villages and is given as gifts between
used it as a sign of their sense of care and made of fabric or wool, along with glittery, women to newly mothers. Though,
fondness to their infants. In addition, it’s an colorful and golden strings. Infants wear it nowadays it is hard to find it in the regular
indication of Yemenis’ sense of art. in their heads once they are born till they markets. If found now, it definitely would
Simply, Yemen is a rich country, with reach certain age. It aims to protect the child have been transformed into a modern one
diverse traditional heritage and one of its once he is born from feeling cold or from that has lost the old traditional look.
traditions is Qarqush that has an importance evil approaches. Essentially, Qarqush is no longer worn in
among its people. Normally, it’s hand made by mothers Yemen today but it could be found in several
Qarqush or other women. Mothers usually buy villages and rarely in wedding parties for
Qarqush is an old traditional hat worn them during their Qat chewing sessions women. In actual fact, this hat has been
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Many Yemenis associate their childhood
with their Qarqushes, since it’s rare
to find today. Nowadays, brides put it
gracefully with pride, assuring their
affiliation with traditions.
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they are one year old, but in a number of Nevertheless, newly born girls might wear it’s a way to assure tradition and exclusive
villages girls wear it until they get married. it temporarily until they are one year old Yemeni cultural feature.
It’s greatly believed that it’s shameful that and then take it off. Later on, they might Whether infants or brides wear it, Qarqush
a girl shows her hair before she is married. wear it again when they are 10 as they are forms a significant cultural face of Yemen.
Hence, she must not show her hair to her approaching marriage age to make it a sign Many Yemenis associate their childhood
father, brothers, male members of her family of being single. with their Qarqushes, since it’s rare to find
and, interestingly, women. The reason for On the other hand, for infants, it could be an today. Nowadays, brides put it gracefully
not showing it to women is not because indicator of how much caring they family with pride, assuring their affiliation with
it’s shameful, but because the girl wants to is. The more distinguished the Qarqush traditions. It’s agreed among Yemenis how
surprise all the women with her hair in her is, the more caring the family is towards important it is, making it one of the main old
wedding party when she gets married. their infants. Moreover, for many families, cultural traditions.
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