Cloak

This daffah is a cloak worn by women and consists of a rectangular piece of light wool cloth folded twice. First it is folded in half to create two layers; then the two ends are folded to a centre point to form both parts of the front. Therefore, there are no side seams, and the armholes are cut in the side folds.

The soft black wool is embroidered in a zari motif at the back of the neckline. The motif is called taj, meaning crown, because it rests on the top of the head when a woman wears the cloak over her head. The additional zari decoration on the inside of the cloak indicates that it is for special occasions. The decorative motifs consist mainly of stylised foliage. The term daffah is derived from the words daf'u and dafi'a (‘to be warm’), alluding to its origins as desert wear, and the garment is often removed when a woman reaches her destination. The decorative daffah is worn primarily over clothing on the wedding night, but also as a veil during prayer, and as a protective cover against the cold. The sewing and embroidery were executed by hand. The cloak has been dyed with indigo pigment, which is common in the Arabian Peninsula; it gives the garment a deep, dark tone and sheen. The best colour is achieved by three stages of dyeing, involving an additional black dye that makes the colour darker and richer.

This description is taken from Najla Ismael’s 2003 book Qatari Costume (pp. 42-43).