Burqa

This mid-20th-century Bedouin face mask, known as a burqa, comes from the Hejaz region in western Saudi Arabia. It is made using materials commonly found in the region, including cotton and synthetic fabrics, threads, metal wire, beads, leather, coins, ornaments and mother-of-pearl buttons.​

The front of the burqa is richly decorated with rows of white and red thread and flat metal wire. A central nose flap is stitched in place and decorated along its upper edge with seven metal coins. Above the left eye opening, two metal coins and a metal ornament add further detail.​

Below the eye openings, a black cotton band runs across the mask, embroidered with orange thread in a chain stitch and accented with metal beads. The lower edge is finished with metal ornaments, while threads and tassels decorate the bottom corners. The top corners feature cotton thread and metal beads.​

The back of the burqa is lined with red-and-white striped cotton fabric. Leather ties at the top corners allow it to be secured comfortably around the head.​

History

This type of burqa was traditionally worn by Bedouin women as a face veil that provided modesty while also reflecting tribal identity. Detailed decoration and colors helped distinguish regional and cultural styles. In the Hejaz, the term “burqa” often refers specifically to these decorated veils or to metallic-looking face coverings such as the battoulah masks.​

_{Choosing an artifact and creating a fictional story about it from the collection of Art of Heritage and Asaan.}