Beautiful Bethlehem

On Palestinian Dress Day, we renew our commitment to preserving the traditional Palestinian dress and write a story about it every day, a story connected to a homeland we cherish.

The dress of Bethlehem, Palestine.

The headdress, called “al-Shatwa,” is made of red felt fabric and decorated with Syrian silk, coral beads, and Ottoman silver coins. The bride adorns herself with a silver necklace and bracelets, and her beauty is enhanced by an inked fish necklace, symbolizing blessing.

PalestinianDressDay

CrossFireArabia

CrossFireArabia

Dr. Marwan Asmar holds a PhD from Leeds University and is a freelance writer specializing on the Middle East. He has worked as a journalist since the early 1990s in Jordan and the Gulf countries, and been widely published, including at Albawaba, Gulf News, Al Ghad, World Press Review and others.

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