Oriental Civilian Complex.
Minimal lavel of stilisation for non reenactor moovements participants.
Rules about the dress code for the Saracens and turcopoles:
It’s important to notice!
This outfit is not a historical reenactment. This is just a valid lookalike. We allow this set of equipment only for new participants who come for the first time.
Why do we generally allow such a Level Decrease and distancing from project’s goal ?
1. To enable beginners to look around and taste reenactment at the beginning of the path.
2. So that stylized neophytes do not stick out from the general background.
3. To replenish the mass of Saladin’s Army.
4. Because of coronavirus. In the future, if you wish to participate in such projects, you will need to prepare equipment based on historical sources and the traditional method i.e. hand seam. We advise you already to the nearest project to start investing in equipment.
The number of such participants will be limited and agreed in advance.
So, fortunately traditional clothes of Bedouins and Arabs has not changed much over the centuries:
Jellabiya is a long, ankle-length or mid-calf, shirt. You can buy it in the Arab markets in Jerusalem, Haifa or Jaffa.
The main thing that it have to be made of cotton, not polyester, no breast pocket, and without modern collar, borrowed from European shirts.
Jellabiya can be both long-sleeved and short, but it is better to buy with long sleeves, to protect the arms from the sun.
With some trading skills, you can buy Jellabiya for 60 shekels. Ask moroccan, they generally fit.
Women’s Jellabiya is more like a dress, often has a beautiful embroidery. But it more expensive. If you will spend time and money can find a Bedouin Jellabiya, embroidered by hand.
Under Jellabiya can wear, undershirt shirt, often as an European one, called kameez. It’s can be found at the same place as Jellabiya.
On top, you can wear a cape with short sleeves, or without. Called Aba.
Shalwar, Pants with wide step. Very spacious and comfortable for riding. You can buy it in the “Indian” type stores, “Otenti” or on the same Arab market.
It is advisable here this design:
For clarity in the photographs -13th century Mamluk shalwar (left) and the Central Asian shalwar 8th century.
If you decide to make shalwar for yourself here are a couple of simple patterns:
Sash - an obligatory part of the outfit. A strip of fabric (wool, cotton or linen) wrapped several times around the waist.
Turban, a thin strip of cotton cloth 6.8 meters in length, 50 -70 cm width. Fabric – mal in Hebrew or shash in Arabic (ask in the shops in the old Jaffa and Jerusalem “veil mizri”).
How to tie:
Women will suit cotton or silk scarf, the same as that of the modern Arabs and Bedouins.
Shoes. Note Dresscode forbids the shoe heels! Heel very latest invention!
As the shoes will fit sandals as these:
They can be bought from the same arabs, for 30 – 60 shekels.
As an option, but not cheap, you can buy moroccan pointy slippers, sold in shops with authentic Moroccan things.
True latter often come with a heel, you will have to cut down the last.
“Biblical sandals are necessary evil.” They are allowed only once and only on the first project.
Pampooty - MORE historical footwear. Suitable for the participants with the low social status. We recommend to wear it with knitted socks and with an extra insole. Allowed on all our projects.
Woolen socks knitted on four needles can be worn on the legs.
Similar socks were found in Egypt. The colors of the socks are white and the shades of red and blue, as well as the colors of natural wool. Of course, you can order an exact copy from archaeological sources.
You can find detailed materials on the eastern clothing complex on the event page on Facebook.
Bag, you can buy it all in the same “Indian” stores. Or sew on a simple pattern:
Two rectangles: one is the front of the bag, bottom, back and cover. Second, it’s a long tape, representing the side walls and the shoulder belt.
Do not forget that you’ll also need flask for water, leather, ceramic, glass, or pumpkin. Wool blankets for the night as well as a wooden bowl and spoon for eating.
As well goblet or other cup for receiving liquids, wood, ceramic or metal. And a knife.
If your intention is to make a better reconstruction of the Muslim complex it’s recommended to read the following material:
Head dress (англ.)