Abu Dhabi // National dress is still in fashion, young Emiratis insist.
A Federal National Council session heard last week that it had fallen out of favour with the younger generation.
Ahmed Al Amash (RAK) said more and more were swapping their kanduras and abayas for western-style clothing
He said that unless policies were enacted to protect national dress, it could lead to an erosion of Emirati cultural identity.
But Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth & Community Development, told the session national dress was still popular.
And young people told The National they agreed with Sheikh Nahyan.
Turky Al Hammadi, 29, an aviation engineer from Abu Dhabi, said the younger generation wore traditional dress with pride.
"It gives them a sense of belonging when they wear the kandura," he said." Trends disappear and fade away but the national dress will not fade away."
Mr Al Hammadi said a country such as the UAE which is home to many nationalities would inevitably see a merging of cultures but that this was to be welcomed.
“People have become more open to other traditions and that is the effect of globalisation – the world became smaller,” he said. “It makes others respect and accept us, and so do we.”
He enjoys wearing traditional dress to work and when meeting friends, although he occasionally wears casual attire such as jeans and t-shirts.
“I love to wear the kandura, it makes me feel unique, especially when I am at work since 90 per cent of the company are expats,” he said. “I’m proud to shine which makes me proud of wearing the kandura.”
Myriam Al Dhaheri, 21, a university student from Abu Dhabi, wears an abaya most days, covering her trousers, skirts or dresses underneath. She saves her more traditional jalabeyas for special occasions such as Eid and Ramadan.
“Growing up, I was dressed up according to occasions. So if it was Eid or I was visiting the family, I would wear the jalabeya. But if it was playing at the park, then I would be dressed in trousers for sure.”
She said the jalabeya was comfortable and perfect for formal and casual occasions, making it popular among her friends.
“The traditional dress is not fading. However, there are times where it is more comfortable to wear trousers, especially when we are working,” she said. “For example, when I took archaeology classes, we were advised to wear trousers since it is easier when working in the archaeological sites.”
Ms Al Dhaheri said many were turning national dress into a mark of individuality.
“I do not think fashion trends cause Emiratis to lose their identity,” she said. “There are many designers setting the abaya as a fashion statement rather than traditional attire. That can be seen as a source of motivation for wearing the abaya.
“Emiratis should realise when to wear it and when not to because sometimes it can be considered shameful if not worn, which is irrational.”
Ms Al Dhaheri said wearing an abaya in some fields of work could be considered hazardous.
“It would be hard to do practical work in certain fields, like engineering, while wearing the abaya. It becomes a question of safety, not national identity.”
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
