By Omar Al-Halabi
BEIRUT, July 25 (KUNA) -- Tourists from the Arabian Peninsula take pride in their traditional clothes and wear them even when on vacation in Arab countries, including Lebanon, perhaps to a personal statement of who they are and where they hail from.
This is especially true of the elderly, where women wear the 'abaya,' which is a traditional black over garment draped from the shoulders or head, and made of different designs and fabrics.
Men usually wear the 'deshdasha,' which is an ankle-length white garment for the summer, usually with long sleeves, along with 'ghitra' and 'oqal' worn to cover the head.
To add a more exquisite and classy look to the deshdasha, especially at weddings and official events, one wears a 'besht' over the deshdasha. This over garment is made of quality fabric and decorated with golden embroidery.
"Kuwaitis do not abandon their traditional and national clothes when they travel," Salem Al-Huseinan, a Kuwaiti tourist, told KUNA.
Samir Slama, a Lebanese citizen, valued the Kuwaitis for taking pride in their national clothes, adding others should follow suit because such clothes are very comfortable, simple and cool, especially in the summer.
KUNA met with the owner of an abaya shop in the mountainous Lebanese Bhamdoun area, Mrs. Karam, and she said the shop was opened to serve the demands of tourists from the Arabian Peninsula.
The price of the abayas range from USD 100 to 400, and the embroidered abaya that comes with a matching handcraft is more expensive than the simpler models, she added.
Sales were up by 40 percent this year compared to last, due to great influx of tourists. (end) oh.mar KUNA 251128 Jul 09NNNN