The bisht is a garment which a Saudi male will wear over his thobe. This is a regal looking garment that can range from white to a deep dark brown in color and bordered with trim which is typically made of authentic gold thread. The Saudi male will wear the bisht at formal, official and special occasions. Such occasions include weddings, engagement parties, Eid, official functions. The bisht in essence takes the place of the suit jacket.
According to wikipedia, the bisht is described as: a traditional Arabic men’s cloak popular in the Persian Gulf and some Arab countries. It is essentially a flowing outer cloak made of wool, worn over the thobe. Unlike the thobe, the Bisht is soft, and it is usually black, brown, beige, cream or grey in colour. It is usually only worn for prestige on special occasions such as weddings, or festivals such as Eid, or for the Friday prayer.” Yet even in this description it does not explain why the bisht is one as it is.
This aspect of the bisht is one that continues to puzzle me. Typical of a loose flowing robe, the bisht has two sleeves. Yet one will always see the Saudi male wearing the bisht with one arm through the sleeve in the traditional manner and the other sleeve is wrapped loosely and tucked in to the side. I have asked a number of Saudis why the bisht is worn in this manner and the most common response is “because that’s the way it is.”
I do think the style of the bisht and how it is worn does indeed look very distinguishing but I just would like an answer so I can understand why if a garment is made with two sleeves only one is used for all practical purposes? And for the record, wearing the bisht in this manner is not isolated just to Saudis but this is the style and tradition throughout the Arab world.
Filed under: Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs
Maybe because it looks better with just one sleeve is used?
I don’t really know but it certainly looks weird when you try to use both sleeves!
http://saudijeans.org/2007/07/26/wedding-wishes/
Ahmed: I’m curious…as a Saudi and wearing the bisht, do you find it comfortable and no problem wearing it in the traditional manner with only one sleeve in use?
I asked my hubby what the point was or the reason behind it but he didn’t know why some wear it like that either.
I can understand….mine was cute…he also said “I don’t know; because that’s the way it is. Why don’t you post it on your blog and ask…”
I tried to find out doing various search terms on google but no answer.
Looking for rational explanations for fashion? That, I fear, is a fool’s errand. Fashion is fashion and reason rarely enters into the discussion.
What’s the reason behind bell-bottoms? Capris/Clam-diggers/pedal-pushers? Neckties, for that matter!
Why do western men’s suit coats have one, two, three, or four buttons? Why are the multiple buttons almost never buttoned?
So you are saying that leaving the one sleeve hanging loosely is a matter of fashion? I don’t know….my gut just tells me there is some kind of reason or legend for it.
And I’m sure there were reasons for bell-bottoms and others. In regards to clam-diggers, capris and pedal pushers I always believed they were designed for a purpose such as to wear when near a beach and wading in the water without having to roll up the pants legs.
And the necktie, isn’t that to protect the man’s shirt while eating meals?
Okay…suit coats is likely a matter of style and also depends on a man’s body size too as to which version is selected!
Carol: I strongly suspect those ‘reasons’ are actually after-the-fact rationalizations.
Neckties–in the form of cravats–were originally worn inside the shirt. That doesn’t offer much protection.
I also strongly suggest that the one-armed wearing of bisht is simply because it looks cool.
Never underestimate the power of vanity!
I have always been fascinated with the Middle East since I was a child. I love the tea, the qawa…the traditional dress. Everything is so surreal to me because I did not grow up over there. I was emmersed in the culture via a significant other and visited Oman and UAE. I had minor culture shock but was well-prepared. Had a wonderful time and the hospitality was awesome.
If it is more than vanity then hopefully someone who knows this secret will reveal it to us!
Marianna: I can understand your views; particularly when one comes from the West, the culture, traditions and environment of the Middle East are so different, exotic and foreign from what one is accustomed. And you’re right; in spite of advance preparation there is still a degree of culture shock when experiencing such an environment for the first time.
And using a mirror image, many Saudis traveling to the States for the first time also go through their own renditions of culture shock as well.
Hi,
I think it looks quite elegant when they wear only one sleeve but could someone explain how exactly they wrap the other arm around, because my brother wants to wear it like the saudis but he doesnt know how to do the one sleeve thing.
Thanks!
Hi Narm,
When I have observed my husband closely when he wears his bisht, the loose sleeve is “tucked” up and under and secured by the other hand/arm which is wearing the sleeve.
I know that sounds confusing and perhaps one of the men who read this response could answer your query better than me.
Hi Delhi4cats,
Thanks for the reply, =) but I’m still not sure about how it’s done. Maybe some more pictures would be useful, or step by step procedure?
I am still hoping one of the Saudi guys will respond for unfortunately I do not feel I can appropriately answer this one!
Just for the record, this way of wearing the bisht is not adopted by all Gulf Arabs. In Oman no Omani man will wear his bisht this way.
There is an outercovering worn by the Saudi bedu women where you will find the right sleeve is a full length, not the left. I’ve been told this was considered respectful since it is the right hand extended for shaking. Perhaps the same thought concept applies to the men’s bisht as it is the right arm which is through the sleeve. Perhaps it is, therefore, believed that by wearing his bisht this way, he is extending a greater amount of respect. And perhaps in those cultures that believe this, it is true.
But it would not be true in Oman.