Job Discussion Forums

[basiltherat]

is there a globally recognised english language term for the traditional white gown that Arab men wear (esp in gulf region).
thnx
basil

[scot47]

It is different in the variuos Gulf States. Here in Saudi it is fairly common to call it a 'thobe'. That is, I think, the Arabic word for 'gown'.

In the Emirates they use the trem 'dishdash' but that has a derogatory connotation.

[grahamb]

Not derogatory in Oman, however.

[Stephen Jones]

ghilaba is the anglicized version of the word for the garment that is worn in Morocco. In the Gulf it is generally used for the winter robes.

And of course robes is the English word that applies to all versions. A plural noun become uncountable (and describing a singular object!).

[veiledsentiments]

Who or where is dishdasha a derogatory term? That's a new one for me... it is the term commonly used in the Emirates and Oman. In fact, I have never heard the term 'thobe' used except as relates to Saudia.

VS

[scot47]

Well I suppose 'derogatory' is in the ear of the listener or on the tongue of the speaker.

'Dishdasha' sounds negative to me, but then my loyalty is to the Mamlika Al-Arabiya Al-Saudiya, where I first taught in 1970.

So long ago !

I was so young and already I had all my future behind me !

[veiledsentiments]

[abufletcher]

Disdasha is also the common term in Kuwait. As I understand the Egyptian version is called galabiya/jalabia.

It should also be pointed out that perhaps one reason why there is no common Arabic term is that there is no common garment! The details are different from place to place such that any knowledgeable Gulf Arab can immediate pick out a Kuwaiti, Saudi, Omani, Bahraini, Qatari, etc. based only on their "robe" (not to mention details of the head scarf).

Saudi thobes are generally more tight fitting and have a high collar with 3-5 buttons. The sleeves are also tailored to a cuff with a button. The front neck opening terminates in a small triangle of cloth. They are also predominately white -- even in the winter. The Kuwaiti disdasha by comparison is slightly more billowy with open sleeves, one 1 or 2 buttons at the short collar and the open ends in a pleat-like fold. Nearly all Kuwaitis switch to a warmer wool distasha (in brown or grey) during "the winter." Qatari disdashes typically have a shirt-like collar. Omani disdashas are the most distinct having no collar at all and a little sash hanging down in front and a yolk of fabric over the shoulders. Also if memory serves me right you could also immediately pick out the students from Sur (or was it Salalah) due to the elastic sewn acorss the back which created a ruffled look. In some parts of the Omani community (for example the Belushis) the colors can be really wild. The Egyptian jalabiya is the butt of many jokes for the extra wide sleeve terminations.

[Hector_Lector]

�Thobe� or �tobe�is the expression used to describe the long piece of coloured material Sudanese women wrap around themselves. Some of the tribes of North Darfur (also involved in the current waves of murder, rape, etc), such as the Kababish, use the term �tobe�or �thobe�to describe the long piece of material they use as a scarf or bedding..

[Hector_Lector]

�Thobe� or �tobe�is the expression used to describe the long piece of coloured material Sudanese women wrap around themselves. Some of the tribes of North Darfur (also involved in the current waves of murder, rape, etc), such as the Kababish, use the term �tobe�or �thobe�to describe the long piece of material they use as a scarf or bedding..

[basiltherat]

thnx guys for your input. robe sounds like the best conclusion
thnx again all.
best
basil