Dress to Impress: How to avoid being called “Dhaqan Celis”

[Jacaylbaro]

First of all, I would like to thank everyone that commented on my last article. I’ve taken all your suggestions into consideration, and in the coming weeks will, Insha’Allah, be writing articles on them.

 

This week, I thought I would do an article on how to dress when in Somaliland. Now, I’m sure you’ve all heard the horror stories about people from Diaspora being called ‘dhaqan celis’ or cultural enrichment and believe me, you want to avoid being called this at all costs. So, you begin to wonder, what should I pack?

 

Now, ladies, if you’re a modestly dressed hijaby, like myself, you won’t have a hard time picking out things to pack, however, if you’re a less conservative dresser, then you might want to head down to your nearest Islamic clothing store and pick up a few hijabs. Leave those pants behind and pack lots of long skirts. Fashion in Somaliland is all about dressing in an Islamic manner and to a lot of people this, means dressing unfashionable.

 

Gone are the days, when dressing in an Islamic manner meant wearing bland color jilabs. Nowadays, there are as ways to wear a hijab as there are hairstyles. Islamic fashion has taken off in a big way in the past few years, with Muslim countries, like Malaysia, hosting Islamic Fashion weeks, which showcase the talents of young Islamic designers from all over the world. Many of them like designer Rabia Z, have even had their works displayed in international fashion magazines such as Elle.

 

Islamic fashion is not about conformity as many people wrongfully believe but truly allows one to express their individuality. If you’re just beginning to enter the world of Islamic fashion then Hargeisa is the perfect place to start. Hargeisa offers any beginner Islamic fashionista, a chance to fine tune her craft. There are many shops in Hargeisa that are full of unique and trendy Islamic clothes that blend western and Islamic fashion brilliantly.

 

If you’re more of a traditionalist, then pack those diracs/direh (a flowing, lightweight dress usually worn over a slip or petticoats). Going traditional is always the safest route for escaping being called dhaqan celis. Throw on a dirac, with a thicker, longer, shawl, or throw on a cardigan with a lighter shawl, and add a little bit of western culture by accessorize, with hip trendy jewellery pieces, to look like the stylish modern nomadic girl you truly are.

 

Whether you’re a professional dirac collector, or just beginner, Hargeisa is the perfect place to expand that collection. You’ll find all the latest styles of dirac, at unbelievably low prices (I’ll be doing an article on tricks to shopping Hargeisa soon, so stay tuned for that).

 

As for the guys, the most important piece of advice is don’t dress like you’re straight from the hood. Looking ‘ghetto fabulous’ is the easiest way to have the dreaded label of ‘dhaqan celis’, attached to you. Instead, go for a more mature look, and dress in a business casual manner. If you want to really want to impress people back home then dress traditionally. Nothing says, ‘I haven’t lost my culture’, like wearing ma’awis or plaid kilts, and dashiki (matching garments mainly worn in Africa usually by leaders) or shaar/shirts with a shawl draped over one shoulder.

 

To wrap things up, my advice to everyone is to use this as an opportunity to explore and discover Islamic and Somali fashion, and even start a few trends of your own. Transitioning into Islamic/Somali clothing doesn’t mean deposing of all your western styled clothes: be creative, mix and match western modern influences with traditional wear, accessorize to bring out your unique personality and most importantly have fun.

 

 

Common apparel for men includes:

 

* Ma’awis, or plaid kilts

* Khameez - Long, dress-like male garment.

* Shawls

Embroidered Men's Cap

 

Embroidered Men's Cap

* Turban

* Koofiyad, or embroidered cap

* Trousers or western pants

* Western shirts

* Suits and ties

 

 

Common garments for women include:

 

* Direh or Dirac - A flowing, lightweight dress usually worn over a slip or petticoats.

* Coantino - A large piece of cloth draped over the head and shoulder and tied at the waist.

* Hijab - Head scarf that covers hair

* Masar - Simple headwrap

* Burqa or Jalabeeb - A long garment that cloaks the entire body.

* Guntiino - A full-length, brightly colored dress resembling a Sari.

* Blouses

* Skirts

* Trousers/slacks

 

 

By: Hayat Farah

hfarah@live.com

[Faheema.]

LoL, Dirac, shalmad iyo dacas, you'll stick out like a sore thump and reer hargeisa will still spot you....Why?

 

1. Si dagan oo dhib lahayn bay u socdaan because they have all the time in the world. Qof rat race ka soo hadhay could not adjust regardless of how hard they try.

 

2. 90% of the time you're darker than them (Women) because you get a tan.

[FatB]

JB is a girl!?!?!? how did i miss that

[The Zack]

^LOL, a beautiful one.

[N.O.R.F]

Originally posted by fatboy:

JB is a girl!?!?!? how did i miss that

 

Common apparel for men includes:

 

* Ma’awis, or plaid kilts

* Khameez - Long, dress-like male garment.

* Shawls

Embroidered Men's Cap

 

Embroidered Men's Cap

* Turban

* Koofiyad, or embroidered cap

* Trousers or western pants

* Western shirts

* Suits and ties

Oo maxaa hadhay? She basically said one can wear anyhing!

 

A pair of khakis and a t shir does the job

[Naxar Nugaaleed]

plaid kilts? Can you seriously wear that in hargeisa?

[Jacaylbaro]

what is plaid kilts ??

[FatB]

well agnt that something... with all the violent aviators and exesive rants, i just asumed.

 

Najmudin a beautiful one you say

 

so, jb who you doin!

 

 

western pants?? western shirts??

[Naxar Nugaaleed]

[Faarax-Brawn]

You can never hide a dhaqan celis. "Wejiga" ayaa ku kashifaya.