Damascus 22 July (SANA)-Traditional clothing is not merely a mean of covering or fulfilling the needs of daily life.It transcends these roles, becoming a visual record that documents the memory of society, reflecting its environment, customs, beliefs, and transformations over time.This is the subject explored by Dr. Hassan Hammami in his book, “Traditional Clothing and Traditions in Syria,” published by the Syrian General Authority for Books atthe Ministry of Culture.In the book, Hammami views traditional dress as a living record of the memory of a place. Its colors, patterns, and ways of wearing reveal the social and geographical environment, as well as indications of age, occasion, status, and belonging. This makes the book a journey into the collective Syrian memory, its roots tracing back to a 1971 edition published by the Ministry of Culture in 376 pages, before being republished by the General Authority for Books in its recent releases.

The book begins by exploring the earliest roots of the dress in ancient Syrian artifacts, tracing its presence in myths and archaeological evidence, and examining the forms of clothing and methods of wearing it revealed in sculptures, drawings, and ancient finds.It then moves on to study clothing during the Classical period, from 500 BC to 500 AD, observing the transformations it underwent due to the cultural interactions that the region witnessed. Clothing provides a gateway to understanding the life, status, and beliefs of ancient people.

Through its examination of the evolution of fashion in the Arab eras, and the dress of men and women in Islam, then in the early Islamic period and the Umayyad and Abbasid eras, the author finds that these stages contributed to shaping the features of Arab dress, whose influence extended to manySyrian folk costumes, despite the changes they underwent due to the diversity of environments and cultural exchange.

The book dedicates a section to men’s and women’s clothing in the steppes and mountains, highlighting the influence of climate and occupation on the selection of garments and fabrics. The mountain cloak, trousers, vest, and tunic became common among men, providing warmth and freedom of movement. Women’s dresses, head coverings, jewelry, and local embroidery were diverse, and through their weaving, patterns, and colors, they preserved the unique character of each region and its artistic and social memory.

The book also documents the clothing of Bedouin men and women as a system that combines function and identity. The cloak, head covering, and loose-fitting garments provide protection and freedom of movement, while the fabrics, colors, and ways of wearing them reveal social status and tribal affiliation. The Bedouin woman’s attire is characterized by a variety of cloaks, dresses, robes, and jewelry, reflecting both aesthetic taste and economic means.

The author turns to men’s fashion in cities, exploring the contrast between the old and the new, and the transformations that traditional dress has undergone due to globalization and changing lifestyles. He examines the topic of popular urban clothing, including the fez, qanbaz, shalwar, vest, damir, and abaya, explaining how clothing once revealed the wearer’s profession, social standing, and taste, before some of its styles faded in favor of modern clothing during the twentieth century.

The author also explores the features of urban women’s attire, dedicating considerable space to traditional home wear such as the “zubun” and “sarwal.”

He then moves on to a lengthy and comprehensive section documenting bridal wear and its various styles, reflecting the joy and grandeur of these occasions. He also sheds light on the culture of modesty and prestige in the city, showcasing head coverings and formal women’s outerwear, from the “izar” and “mila’a” to the “abaya,” culminating in modern pieces like the “manto” and “tailor,” along with details on footwear options and women’s stockings.