Sindhi clothing are a part of the
Sindhi culture.
Sindhi women and men wear the
Shalwar Qameez or the
Kurta
A ''kurta'' is a loose collarless shirt or tunic worn in many regions of South Asia, (subscription required) Quote: "A loose shirt or tunic worn by men and women." Quote: "Kurta: a loose shirt without a collar, worn by women and men from South ...
with
Pyjama
Pajamas (American English) or pyjamas (Commonwealth English), sometimes colloquially shortened to PJs, jammies, jim-jams, or in South Asia, night suits, are several related types of clothing worn as nightwear or while lounging. Pajamas are so ...
. Women also wear
Sari
A sari (also called sharee, saree or sadi)The name of the garment in various regional languages include:
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
* is a drape (cloth) and a women's garment in the Indian subcontinent. It consists of an un-sti ...
or
ghagra. However, before the adoption of the
Shalwar kameez
Shalwar kameez (also salwar kameez and less commonly shalwar qameez) is a traditional combination dress worn by men and women in South Asia, and Central Asia.
'' Shalwars'' are trousers which are atypically wide at the waist and narrow to a ...
,
kurta
A ''kurta'' is a loose collarless shirt or tunic worn in many regions of South Asia, (subscription required) Quote: "A loose shirt or tunic worn by men and women." Quote: "Kurta: a loose shirt without a collar, worn by women and men from South ...
, the
Sari
A sari (also called sharee, saree or sadi)The name of the garment in various regional languages include:
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
* is a drape (cloth) and a women's garment in the Indian subcontinent. It consists of an un-sti ...
as well as other articles of clothing, Sindhis had their own traditional costumes.
Background
Original dress code of Sindhi women was
Lehenga/Ghagra Choli with a long and wide veil, up until the 1840s, women started wearing the suthan underneath the lehnga, later on around 1930s with time Sindhi women stopped wearing lehenga and only wore Sindhi suthan and choli got replaced by long cholo, and men originally wore
Dhoti
The dhoti is an ankle-length breechcloth, wrapped around the waist and the legs, in resemblance to the shape of trousers. The dhoti is a garment of ethnic wear for men in the Indian subcontinent. The dhoti is fashioned out of a rectangular p ...
or
Godd and a long or short
angrakho or
Jamo later angrakho was replaced by Sindhi kurta called Pehrān/Pehriyān and dhoti/godd was replaced by Sindhi salwar/suthan/kancha.
In the past, Older Sindhi women wore paro (
petticoat
A petticoat or underskirt is an article of clothing, a type of undergarment worn under a skirt or a dress. Its precise meaning varies over centuries and between countries.
According to the ''Oxford English Dictionary'', in current British E ...
), thick
poplin
Poplin, also called tabinet (or tabbinet), is a fine (but thick) wool, cotton or silk fabric with crosswise ribs that typically give a corded surface. Nowadays, the name refers to a strong material in a plain weave of any fiber or blend.
Pop ...
cholo (
blouse
A blouse () is a loose-fitting upper garment that may be worn by workmen, peasants, artists, women, and children.The Concise Oxford English Dictionary It is typically gathered at the waist or hips (by tight hem, pleats, parter, or belt) so th ...
/
Tunic
A tunic is a garment for the torso, usually simple in style, reaching from the shoulders to a length somewhere between the hips and the ankles. It might have arm-sleeves, either short or full-length. Most forms have no fastenings. The name deri ...
), and chaadar (a sheet of
veil
A veil is an article of clothing or hanging cloth that is intended to cover some part of the human head, head or face, or an object of some significance. Veiling has a long history in European, Asian, and African societies. The practice has be ...
). Some wore sleeveless hip length Shirt with a waist-length koti (blouse) with sleeves, on top, and a malai
satin
A satin weave is a type of Textile, fabric weave that produces a characteristically glossy, smooth or lustrous material, typically with a glossy top surface and a dull back; it is not durable, as it tends to snag. It is one of three fundamen ...
,
Sussi or
Bandhani paro or suthan (
culottes
Culottes are an item of clothing worn on the lower half of the body. The term can refer to either split skirts, historical men's breeches, or women's underpants; this is an example of fashion-industry words taken from designs across history, ...
or palazzo). The younger women wore
velvet
Velvet is a type of woven fabric with a dense, even pile (textile), pile that gives it a distinctive soft feel. Historically, velvet was typically made from silk. Modern velvet can be made from silk, linen, cotton, wool, synthetic fibers, silk ...
or amber pyjama (suthan) both at home and outside. Also they wore a long
skirt
A skirt is the lower part of a dress or a separate outer garment that covers a person from the waist downwards.
At its simplest, a skirt can be a draped garment made out of a single piece of fabric (such as pareos). However, most skirts are ...
(jablo) on top and a thick poplin blouse and a Rawa/Gandi/Pothi (long and wide
muslin
Muslin () is a cotton fabric of plain weave. It is made in a wide range of weights from delicate sheers to coarse sheeting. It is commonly believed that it gets its name from the city of Mosul, Iraq.
Muslin was produced in different regions o ...
,
tie and dye or ajrak printed headscarf/veil). Middle aged and young ladies wore churidar pyjama (sorhi suthan). Over time, older ladies started to wear the Salwar Kurta with Slippers (Sapato,
Jutti,
Khusso or
Mojri).
When women of good family leave the house, they hide the Suthan under a wide Paro (or
Peshgir, petticoat), which conceals the person from the waist to the ankles. Over the upper part of the body they throw a Rawo (or Salur, large white veil). Among females of the
Sayyid
''Sayyid'' is an honorific title of Hasanid and Husaynid lineage, recognized as descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and Ali's sons Hasan ibn Ali, Hasan and Husayn ibn Ali, Husayn. The title may also refer ...
race, especially in the northern parts of Sindh, wear the
Burko/Chadree of Arabia and Persia is much used. Hindoo women wear the Paro larger and longer than the Muslimah; they usually prefer the Cholo without a
Gaj, and throw a white veil over the head.
Sindhi women are fond of wearing a multitude of ornaments. These are also distinguished by some minutiae make in the ornaments and jewels of Muslim and Hindu, but these are unobservable. The most important ornament for a married Muslim Sindhi women is the Nath, or bullo/bulli/phuli (Nose jewel) which shows their marital status.
In Sindh, the bangles worn peculiar are the large rings of ivory called "Aaj ja chura" covering the fore arms or full arms; these are worn by all sects, religions and classes, some women wore Banhi "silver handcuffs". But nowadays
glass bangles and gold or silver "Kangar/Kara" "bracelets" are more commonly used. Anklets and toe rings were also common.
The original dress of the Sindhi male was a Dhoti worn by Hindu men and "
Godd" (sarong) by Muslim men, jamo/angrakho (top) and achhi pagirhi (White Turban) and a block printed shawl called
Ajrak or other shawls locally made were carried over shoulders.
Men also carry different colored floral, checkered or plain piece of cloth which is also embroidered on shoulder or as turban, also used as a rumal (
handkerchief
A handkerchief (; also called a hankie or, historically, a handkercher or a ) is a form of a kerchief or bandanna, typically a hemmed square of thin fabric which can be carried in the pocket or handbag for personal hygiene purposes such as w ...
).
Rich men wore
Sherwani
A sherwani is a long-sleeved outer coat worn by men in South Asia. Like the Western frock coat, it is fitted, with some waist suppression; it falls to below the knees and is buttoned down the front. It can be collarless, have a shirt-style col ...
s (long coats) with gold buttons. Some poor men also wore a "Puthiyo or Kiriyo" a cotton jacket resembling a
Mirzai of India, with a sash around waist called bhochhan. The
Sadri, Gidi, Koti or Phatui (a waistcoat of rich or colored stuffs, can sometimes be embroidered with mirrors) was also worn by some men. During a cold season men wore a long coat in the shape of "
Kaba" (a long coat made of white cotton, resembling European night shirt) wadded with cotton or a "Nimtano" (a coat of the same description, with arms down to the elbows). The rich are fond of handsome furs; the poor content themselves with afghan posteen a Masho, or Chogho (cloak made of felt goat's and camel's hair). The slippers were of two kinds 1st "Jutti", made of red or yellow
leather
Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning (leather), tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffal ...
, in shape not unlike those worn by the
Egyptians
Egyptians (, ; , ; ) are an ethnic group native to the Nile, Nile Valley in Egypt. Egyptian identity is closely tied to Geography of Egypt, geography. The population is concentrated in the Nile Valley, a small strip of cultivable land stretchi ...
, and 2nd, "Ghetalo" of the same material embroidered with cloth or silk. Wealthy men when travelling, wear a kind of leather top boot called "Mozo", in the hills a sole made of the leaves of a kind of dwarf palm called "Teesh" was used to protect the feet.
The traditional clothes of Sindh can still be seen on men and women today.
Traditional clothing
The Sindhi culture is one of the most diverse cultures of the world, the traditional clothes of Sindhi people are various, which differs from region to region, tribe to tribe even sometimes within tribe it differs a bit, as much as that clothes become a mark of identification of one's region and tribe, specially for a Sindhi women clothes. For Sindhi men, Sindhi style Salwar Khamis are common everyday dress nowadays, Sindhi Salwar/Suthan have very less pleats, other style of salwar is Kancha which has wide (Pancha) cuffs, used to be worn back in time,
both lower garments are tied at waist with "Aggath" (
drawstring) which is made of different bright colors, heavily ornated and embellished with shiny
metallic threads, beads, mirrors etc. The Salwar and Kancha's pleats are created by bringing the folds on both sides together, Sindhi Khamis is usually shorter, before the adoption of Khamis, Sindhi men used to wear Short
angrakho called Angelo, later Sindhi Pehriyān/Pehrān (collarless
Kurta
A ''kurta'' is a loose collarless shirt or tunic worn in many regions of South Asia, (subscription required) Quote: "A loose shirt or tunic worn by men and women." Quote: "Kurta: a loose shirt without a collar, worn by women and men from South ...
tunic) tied at either side or in center resembling Sindhi Angelo was common, but unlike Angelo which is completely slitted in front, the Pehrān has halfway slit in either side or in the middle which is tied with two strings, both Angelo and Pehriyan were sometimes used to be embroidered with
Sindhi Bhart (embroideries) and mirrorwork. Sindhi men also wear embroidered vests (
Ganji) under the Khamis. Some men in rural areas wear Sindhi
lungi
The lungi is a clothing similar to the sarong that originated in the Indian subcontinent. The lungi, which usually multicoloured, is a men's skirt usually tied around the lower waist below the navel. It can be worn as casual wear and night wear. ...
(only Muslims) called "Godd", whereas Hindus wore
Dhoti
The dhoti is an ankle-length breechcloth, wrapped around the waist and the legs, in resemblance to the shape of trousers. The dhoti is a garment of ethnic wear for men in the Indian subcontinent. The dhoti is fashioned out of a rectangular p ...
or Treto and a long
Jama
''JAMA'' (''The Journal of the American Medical Association'') is a peer-reviewed medical journal published 48 times a year by the American Medical Association. It publishes original research, reviews, and editorials covering all aspects of b ...
.
With clothes Sindhi men wore Sindhi patko or pagg (turban), youngsters wore
Sindhi cap. Different shawls like
Ajrak,
Lungee (silk, cotton and wool made shawls) or any other locally made shawls or handkerchiefs were carried on shoulders.
During the medieval period and prior to the
Mughal
Mughal or Moghul may refer to:
Related to the Mughal Empire
* Mughal Empire of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries
* Mughal dynasty
* Mughal emperors
* Mughal people, a social group of Central and South Asia
* Mughal architecture
* Mug ...
rule, the costumes worn by the people of
Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
resembled the dresses worn in
Iraq
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...
and adjoining countries. The dresses included short tunics and Iraqi style long robes. If any drawers were used, they were of the Iraqi style, such as the pantaloons which were also adopted in neighbouring
Multan
Multan is the List of cities in Punjab, Pakistan by population, fifth-most populous city in the Punjab, Pakistan, Punjab province of Pakistan. Located along the eastern bank of the Chenab River, it is the List of cities in Pakistan by populatio ...
and also in the coastal areas of
Gujarat
Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...
.
[Kumar, Raj (2008) Encyclopaedia of Untouchables Ancient, Medieval and Moder]
/ref> However, the use of such Iraqi clothes in Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
was limited to Mansura, Sindh, Mansura, the Arab capital city, established in 712 C.E. and was not universally adopted throughout the region. Arab rule in Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
ended in 1050 C.E. Further, alongside these dresses, Sindhis also wore other traditional attire.
Traditional Sindhi Salwars (Suthan, Kancha)
The traditional Sindhi drawers are the shalwar style adopted from Iraq
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...
and neighbouring countries. The Sindhi shalwar, also called kancha,[Burton, Richard (1996) Sindh and the Races that Inhabit the Valley of the Indus: With Notices of the Topography and History of heProvinc]
/ref> can be described as wide pantaloons which do not begin to gather at the knees as does the modern Sindhi suthan, and are wide at the ankles. The Sindhi shalwar is plaited at the waist. Both garments are loose down to the ankles, where they are gathered. Both garments have the same origins in the pantaloons of Iraq, which are still worn by the Kurds
Kurds (), or the Kurdish people, are an Iranian peoples, Iranic ethnic group from West Asia. They are indigenous to Kurdistan, which is a geographic region spanning southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, northern Iraq, and northeastern Syri ...
. The Sindhi suthan resembles with pants of Kurds, whereas Sindhi kancha resembles with Bakhtiari Lur people of Iran.
The Sindhi shalwar however, was not universally adopted in the region, where it was limited to Mansura, Sindh, Mansura. In time too, Arab rule which introduced the Iraqi dress, ended in the 11th century. Accordingly, the traditional Sindhi shalwar qamees.
It is not until the migration of people from Balochistan
Balochistan ( ; , ), also spelled as Baluchistan or Baluchestan, is a historical region in West and South Asia, located in the Iranian plateau's far southeast and bordering the Indian Plate and the Arabian Sea coastline. This arid region o ...
beginning during the 15th century C.E. and picking up pace during the 18th century C.E. that the use of the shalwar in Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
was introduced on a wide level. However, the Sindhi shalwar, as the earlier version worn in Mansura, is not as wide and loose as the Balochi shalwar, which is very wide and loose.
A suthan is traditionally tight fitting below the knees or around the ankles whereas any style of shalwar is loosely gathered at the ankles and does not tighten towards the lower parts of the legs.
Some Sindhi men especially Sindhi Hindus also wore tight pyjamas, these were also worn by some Sindhi women as well under skirts.
Although it was not customary for women to wear the suthan during the early 19th century, men were seen wearing the traditional pantaloon style Sindhi shalwar/suthan during this period. However, the suthan was not universally adopted by members of all religions to begin with, but in 1872 it was noted that the use had spread to a wider audience.
Female Dresses
Sindhi women are fond of rich and expensive clothes. The wealthier orders have a number of dresses made of brocades, gold and silver stuffs, fine velvets, painted silks, satins, and other such articles of luxury. Married and unmarried girls usually dress in bright colors like red, pink, maroon, purple, blue, orange, green etc. colours; old women and widows wear white or neutral or pastel colors.
Sindhi women traditionally wore different styles, fabrics and embroideries of Sindhi Cholo/Choli with Soossi Shalwars or Pajamo under bandhani, Sossi, printed or satin made Skirt and a long veil (Rao, Gandhi, Poti), today Sindhi women most commonly wear the Sindhi Salwar and Cholo with a long and wide veil having Sindhi embroideries called bhart. Bhart varies from tribe to tribe and region to region, Traditional dress called Paro/Jablo/ Peshgir/ Ghaghro/Ghaghri (Skirt) Cholo/Choli/Polko/Kanjeeri (tunic) is also worn today in some parts of Sindh, some Muslim women wear Cholo instead of Choli a long and loose tunic reaching below knees or sometimes till ankles, Sindhi traditional women clothes are most vibrant and colorful with Sindhi embroideries and mirror work, the various local floral prints, the Bandhani fabric (tie and dye technique, which is believed to be originated from Sindh), the block printed fabric and the Sussi fabric is also very famous of Sindh. A full embroidered front of Cholo tunic is called Gaj. Some Sindhi jat and Memon
Memon may refer to:
Ethnic group and language
* Memon people, Sunni Muslim community in Gujarat, India and Sindh, Pakistan
** Memons (Kathiawar)
** Kutchi Memon, from Kutch, Gujarat
*** Kutchi Memons in Bombay
** Bantva Memons, from Bantva, Gujara ...
women in "Lar" region of Sindh wear a long thobe like dresses called "Jubo" in Sindhi, while others wear Sindhi fairaq (frock
Frock has been used since Middle English as the name for an article of clothing, typically coat (clothing), coat-like, for men and women.
Terminology
In British English and in Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth countries the word may be us ...
s) with Sindhi Gaj embroidery called (Âggoti), and some baloch & Sindhi women in Sindh wear a frock like dress with a pocket in front called (Ghagho meaning frock in Sindhi). The traditional clothes are worn with traditional silver and gold jewellery as well, The white full arm bangles are famous from Mohenjo-daro
Mohenjo-daro (; , ; ) is an archaeological site in Larkana District, Sindh, Pakistan. Built 2500 BCE, it was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, and one of the world's earliest major city, cities, contemp ...
, originally made out of ivory but today made from plastic.
File:Sindhi Culture7.png, Sindhi women wearing traditional clothing on Sindhi Cultural Day in Jamshoro, Pakistan.
File:Sindhi Culture8.png, Sindhi women wearing traditional clothing on Sindhi Cultural Day in Jamshoro, Pakistan.
File:Sindhi Culture4.png, Sindhi women wearing traditional clothing on Sindhi Cultural Day in Jamshoro, Pakistan.
File:Sindhi Culture3.png, Sindhi women wearing traditional clothing on Sindhi Cultural Day in Jamshoro, Pakistan.
File:Sindhi Culture1.png, Sindhi women wearing traditional clothing on Sindhi Cultural Day in Jamshoro, Pakistan.
Lengha Choli
Before the advent of the suthan and Sindhi cholo, the traditional dress was lengha (jablo) choli which is still worn by women in various parts of Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
. Women in the Tharparkar
Tharparkar (Dhatki language, Dhatki/; , ), also known as Thar, is a district in Sindh province in Pakistan, headquartered at Mithi. Before Indian independence it was known as the Thar and Parkar (1901–1947) or Eastern Sindh Frontier Distr ...
district wear a ghagra, a heavier version of the lehnga, with either a loose or fitted choli, or a kancera, a fully embroidered, backless blouse, held on by small cap sleeves and strings.[Peter J. Claus, Sarah Diamond, Margaret Ann Mills (2003) South Asian Folklore: An Encyclopedia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lank]
/ref>
Another upper garment is the gaji (pullover shirt) which is worn in the mountain areas of Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
. The gaji is composed of small, square panels, embroidered on silk and sequin
A sequin ( ) is a small, typically shiny, generally disk-shaped ornament.
Sequins are also referred to as paillettes, spangles, or ''diamanté'' (also spelled ''diamante''). Although the words sequins, paillettes, lentejuelas, and spangles can ...
s. The neck line of the gaji is cut high, and round on one side, with a slit opening extending the other. Unmarried girls wear the opening to the back and married women, to the front.
The original outfit does not require a woman to wear a suthan underneath the lengha, and up until the 1840s, the skirt was commonly worn on its own. Accordingly, the suthan for women is a relatively late adoption. In parts of Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
, the skirt is worn without the suthan.
Sindhi Suthan and Sindhi Cholo
* Modern Suthan (Chareno): By the 1930s, the suthan, similar to the Shalwar
Salwar or shalwar is cloth worn from the waist to the ankles, covering both legs separately. It is the lower-garment of the shalwar kameez suit which is widely-worn in South Asia. It is known for its lively hues, rich fabrics, and embroidery. ...
became the traditional lower garment worn by women in Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
. The Sindhi suthan, also called Chareno, is similar to the Punjabi suthan of the Punjab region
Punjab (; ; also romanised as Panjāb or Panj-Āb) is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia. It is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising areas of modern-day eastern Pakistan and no ...
, is heavily pleated, voluminous on the thighs, slightly narrowed on the knees, gathered in at the instep and pleated to the ankles.[Boivin, Michel (2008) Sindh Through History and Representations: French Contributions to Sindhi Studie]
/ref> The traditional Sindhi Suthan along with Pajamo, for women is made in bright colors and rich fabrics like Sussi (cloth), soosi, silk
Silk is a natural fiber, natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be weaving, woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is most commonly produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoon (silk), c ...
, satin
A satin weave is a type of Textile, fabric weave that produces a characteristically glossy, smooth or lustrous material, typically with a glossy top surface and a dull back; it is not durable, as it tends to snag. It is one of three fundamen ...
, velvet
Velvet is a type of woven fabric with a dense, even pile (textile), pile that gives it a distinctive soft feel. Historically, velvet was typically made from silk. Modern velvet can be made from silk, linen, cotton, wool, synthetic fibers, silk ...
s and brocade
Brocade () is a class of richly decorative shuttle (weaving), shuttle-woven fabrics, often made in coloured silks and sometimes with gold and silver threads. The name, related to the same root as the word "broccoli", comes from Italian langua ...
s which are heavily embroidered at ankles (Pācha).
* Cholo: The Sindhi suthan was traditionally accompanied by the Sindhi Cholo (tunic) and Paro (Petticoat
A petticoat or underskirt is an article of clothing, a type of undergarment worn under a skirt or a dress. Its precise meaning varies over centuries and between countries.
According to the ''Oxford English Dictionary'', in current British E ...
/ Ghagra) but now is worn with a Cholo (kameez) only which is loose fitting, and is made in a variety of ways, including the traditional method of the cholo opening at the front to the waist, with either tight or wide sleeves reaching above or below the elbow. The traditional Cholo reaches at least till knees, while some women wear it down to the ankles.
Women generally wear a ''dupatta'' or ''Rao'' (Veil
A veil is an article of clothing or hanging cloth that is intended to cover some part of the human head, head or face, or an object of some significance. Veiling has a long history in European, Asian, and African societies. The practice has be ...
) with the Sindhi suthan and Sindhi cholo, suit to cover their head and shoulders and is very important among Sindhi women for both religiously and culturally. In the past, women wore a thin muslin
Muslin () is a cotton fabric of plain weave. It is made in a wide range of weights from delicate sheers to coarse sheeting. It is commonly believed that it gets its name from the city of Mosul, Iraq.
Muslin was produced in different regions o ...
veil (rawa) bigger than the present day dupattas.
Sindhi Julaba
Very loose ankle length garment in hand loom or hand-blocked material with a hood attached, with tie string at "V" opening in the neck and side slits at lower part extending to lower hem. Worn with or without hood in the villages of Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
and can also be embroidered.
Saluka
The Saluka is a tight fitting waistcoat which was worn by some Sindhi and the Punjabi women.
Gaj
Gaj, Gajj or Guj are very traditional embroidered tunics of Sindhi women from Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
, it is a solid embroidery
Embroidery is the art of decorating Textile, fabric or other materials using a Sewing needle, needle to stitch Yarn, thread or yarn. It is one of the oldest forms of Textile arts, textile art, with origins dating back thousands of years across ...
with mirrorwork, pompoms, sequin
A sequin ( ) is a small, typically shiny, generally disk-shaped ornament.
Sequins are also referred to as paillettes, spangles, or ''diamanté'' (also spelled ''diamante''). Although the words sequins, paillettes, lentejuelas, and spangles can ...
s, cowrie
Cowrie or cowry () is the common name for a group of small to large sea snails in the family Cypraeidae.
Cowrie shells have held cultural, economic, and ornamental significance in various cultures. The cowrie was the shell most widely used wo ...
s, shells, bead
A bead is a small, decorative object that is formed in a variety of shapes and sizes of a material such as stone, bone, shell, glass, plastic, wood, or pearl and with a small hole for threading or stringing. Beads range in size from under 1 ...
s and button
A button is a fastener that joins two pieces of fabric together by slipping through a loop or by sliding through a buttonhole.
In modern clothing and fashion design, buttons are commonly made of plastic but also may be made of metal, wood, or ...
s over the woman's shirt it usually covers the area, starting from neck up to the stomach. It incorporates variety of stitches and colors. Sometimes, it is made on separate piece of cloth and then attached to the garment. The style/patterns of embroidery on Gaj are usually two or sometimes three squares, circular or heart/ paisley shaped blocks on each sides and an arrow like straight line in between, other style which has one block on both sides on yoke
A yoke is a wooden beam used between a pair of oxen or other animals to enable them to pull together on a load when working in pairs, as oxen usually do; some yokes are fitted to individual animals. There are several types of yoke, used in dif ...
, and horizontal or vertical lines or both in front, or simply a straight arrow like line in front of a tunic without the side blocks, the arms and borderline are also embroidered, there are also many other styles, stitches and colors of Gaj embroidery specific to each region and tribe of Sindh. The Larai jats of Lār region call it "Āggoti". A single Gaj can take up months or weeks to complete.
Gaj was usually worn on special occasions, specially for bride and for the dowry of woman, but back in time it was also worn as everyday outfit, today only worn on Cultural days or on any Cultural events by Sindhi women. Some women still wear minimal Gaj embroidered yokes and necklines called "Galo and Gichi" with mirrorwork, on modern style clothes.
Sari
Saris were and are only worn by Sindhi Lohana
Lohana are a Hindu ''jāti, caste'', a trading or mercantile community mostly residing in India and some also in Pakistan.
The Lohanas are divided into many separate cultural groups as a result of centuries apart in different regions. Thus th ...
, Waniya, Khatri
Khatri () is a caste system in India, caste originating from the Malwa (Punjab), Malwa and Majha areas of Punjab region of South Asia that is predominantly found in India, but also in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Khatris claim they are war ...
and Brahmin Hindu women, the educated and trading communities of Sindhi Hindu women who adopted Sarees from other regions of India. In the 20th century, Sindhi women took to wearing net and chiffon sarees embroidered with gold or silver thread, and velvet blouses. Sometimes georgette sarees were paired with crocheted blouses In Sindh sarees were draped both ways in front pallu and back pallu saree style.
Some educated Memon
Memon may refer to:
Ethnic group and language
* Memon people, Sunni Muslim community in Gujarat, India and Sindh, Pakistan
** Memons (Kathiawar)
** Kutchi Memon, from Kutch, Gujarat
*** Kutchi Memons in Bombay
** Bantva Memons, from Bantva, Gujara ...
, Shaikh and Khowaja community women also wear Saris on special occasions like weddings, parties, events etc.
Male dress
Sindhi Suthan and Sindhi Angelo
The other outfit worn by males is the modern Sindhi Suthan with the traditional Peheren (Sindhi shirt) which is also called Angerkho, a short form of the Kurta
A ''kurta'' is a loose collarless shirt or tunic worn in many regions of South Asia, (subscription required) Quote: "A loose shirt or tunic worn by men and women." Quote: "Kurta: a loose shirt without a collar, worn by women and men from South ...
and fastened to the side. An alternative name for the top is Angeli which is short and left or right crossed, covering the chest, the shoulders and the arms. The sleeves are long and pleated. Large and wide pleats cover the belly. The other upper garment is the traditional garment similar to a long gown.
Sindhi headwear
Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
has its own variety of hats/caps and turbans.
* Sindhi Topi: The Sindhi topi is a cylindrical skullcap with an arch
An arch is a curved vertical structure spanning an open space underneath it. Arches may support the load above them, or they may perform a purely decorative role. As a decorative element, the arch dates back to the 4th millennium BC, but stru ...
shaped cut-out on the frontal side. The hat is embroidered with intricate geometrical designs with small pieces of mirrors or gemstone
A gemstone (also called a fine gem, jewel, precious stone, semiprecious stone, or simply gem) is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut or polished, is used to make jewellery, jewelry or other adornments. Certain Rock (geology), rocks (such ...
s sewed into it.
* Talpur Hat/Serai Hat: The Talpur hat also called Serai Topi were unusual hats, usually made in brightly coloured velvets or flamboyant brocades, always with the contrasting panels at centre back and front of the drum. They were worn throughout the 19th century by Muslims in Sindh. Originally monopolised by government officials and lawyers.
* Mogho Topu: The square hat, made of black cloth or kincob (cloth of gold), called "mogho topu", belonged to higher and wealthier classes. It is not worn anymore.[ ]
There are three different kinds of turbans:
# The Paga: A long cotton cloth, generally white, sometimes dyed.
# The Patako/Pothio: Resembling the former, but smaller and sometimes used ajrak or lungi
The lungi is a clothing similar to the sarong that originated in the Indian subcontinent. The lungi, which usually multicoloured, is a men's skirt usually tied around the lower waist below the navel. It can be worn as casual wear and night wear. ...
cloth.
# The Phentiyo: A fold of cotton stuff, loosely twisted round the head. Bright in colors, usually of bandhani fabric.
The lower orders prefer clothes dyed with indigo
InterGlobe Aviation Limited (d/b/a IndiGo), is an India, Indian airline headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana, India. It is the largest List of airlines of India, airline in India by passengers carried and fleet size, with a 64.1% domestic market ...
to white dresses as latter show dirt too much, some people especially Fakir
Fakir, faqeer, or faqīr (; (noun of faqr)), derived from ''faqr'' (, 'poverty'), is an Islamic term traditionally used for Sufi Muslim ascetics who renounce their worldly possessions and dedicate their lives to the worship of God. They do ...
s, Dervish
Dervish, Darvesh, or Darwīsh (from ) in Islam can refer broadly to members of a Sufi fraternity (''tariqah''), or more narrowly to a religious mendicant, who chose or accepted material poverty. The latter usage is found particularly in Persi ...
s and malangs wear green, black, red and orange color turbans. The black color is associated with Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (; 1689/1690 – 21 December 1752), commonly known by the honorifics ''Lakhino Latif'', ''Latif Ghot'', ''Bhittai'', and ''Bhit Jo Shah'', was a Sindhi Sufi mystic and poet from Pakistan, widely considered to be the ...
, Red color with Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
Sayyid Shah Hussain Jafari al-Marwandi , (1177 - 19 February 1274) popularly known as Lal Shahbaz Qalandar (), was a Sufi saint and poet who is revered in South Asia. In Taqaiyah, his maternal grandfather changed his name to Usman al-Marwandi o ...
, orange with Sachal Sarmast
Sachal Sarmast or Sacho Sarmast (; – 1827), was an 18th and 19th century Sindhi Sufi poet, mystic and philosopher from Daraza (present-day Sindh, Pakistan), regarded as an important figure in the Sindhi-language literature. He is revered ...
, and green with Shah Noorani, these all are Sufi saints of Sindh.
* Top/Toplo: traditional handmade hoodies for kids and children, used in winter to keep the ears and head warm, made of different styles like round circular one with "Jhalar", or cone shaped, it is also sometimes embroidered with mirrorwork and pompoms, bead
A bead is a small, decorative object that is formed in a variety of shapes and sizes of a material such as stone, bone, shell, glass, plastic, wood, or pearl and with a small hole for threading or stringing. Beads range in size from under 1 ...
s, shells/cowrie
Cowrie or cowry () is the common name for a group of small to large sea snails in the family Cypraeidae.
Cowrie shells have held cultural, economic, and ornamental significance in various cultures. The cowrie was the shell most widely used wo ...
s, button
A button is a fastener that joins two pieces of fabric together by slipping through a loop or by sliding through a buttonhole.
In modern clothing and fashion design, buttons are commonly made of plastic but also may be made of metal, wood, or ...
s are sewn on it, it is also called as Kantop.
* Sindhi Faqeeri topi: a circular skullcap made of patchwork, worn by many Sindhi Sufi
Sufism ( or ) is a mysticism, mystic body of religious practice found within Islam which is characterized by a focus on Islamic Tazkiyah, purification, spirituality, ritualism, and Asceticism#Islam, asceticism.
Practitioners of Sufism are r ...
devotees and Fakeers.
There are also many other styles of caps, hats and turbans which used to be worn back in time, some are still being worn today.
Sindhi Shawls
Ajrak: the block printed shawl known as Ajrak used by men, the ancient Indus Valley Civilization
The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also known as the Indus Civilisation, was a Bronze Age civilisation in the northwestern regions of South Asia, lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, and in its mature form from 2600 BCE ...
art of Sindh, the traditional ajrak has various designs of maroon
Maroon ( , ) is a brownish crimson color that takes its name from the French word , meaning chestnut. ''Marron'' is also one of the French translations for "brown".
Terms describing interchangeable shades, with overlapping RGB ranges, inc ...
or crimson
Crimson is a rich, deep red color, inclining to purple.
It originally meant the color of the kermes dye produced from a scale insect, '' Kermes vermilio'', but the name is now sometimes also used as a generic term for slightly bluish-red col ...
, white and black color, it is a symbol of Sindhi culture.
Maleer: a block printed ajrak for women and bridegrooms (doshalo), sometimes it is embroidered with mirrorwork, in today's times various designs and colors of maleer are worn by women as modern clothes like salwar kameez, sarees, jackets etc.
Lungi/Lungee: made of silk, cotton and wool, in both bright and soft colours with beautifully woven broad borders of silver and gold thread. The use of bright, bold and vibrant colors with gold zari on the Lungi make its worth and significance, these are worn as shawl and as turbans on ceremonious occasions.[
Sindhi khadi/thari shawls: these are handwoven khadi shawls worn in winters, these are most beautiful usually in black and white colors with multi color stripes, other colors are also used for making these shawls.
Abochhini/Abochani: or Bochini are Sindhi embroidered wedding shawls for brides, while Bochini/Bochan were used for bridegroom on wedding day in Sindh. from early to mid 19th and 20th century, the beautiful large and wide shawls embroidered with glossy silk threads, ]mirrors
A mirror, also known as a looking glass, is an object that reflects an image. Light that bounces off a mirror forms an image of whatever is in front of it, which is then focused through the lens of the eye or a camera. Mirrors reverse the ...
, bead
A bead is a small, decorative object that is formed in a variety of shapes and sizes of a material such as stone, bone, shell, glass, plastic, wood, or pearl and with a small hole for threading or stringing. Beads range in size from under 1 ...
s sometimes cardamom
Cardamom (), sometimes cardamon or cardamum, is a spice made from the seeds of several plants in the genus (biology), genera ''Elettaria'' and ''Amomum'' in the family Zingiberaceae. Both genera are native to the Indian subcontinent and Indon ...
and clove
Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, ''Syzygium aromaticum'' (). They are native to the Maluku Islands, or Moluccas, in Indonesia, and are commonly used as a spice, flavoring, or Aroma compound, fragrance in fin ...
s are also stitched on it. Many Sindhi tribes like Khaskheli
Khaskheli () is a Sindhi tribe in Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan. The tribe trace its linkages as offshoot of Samma tribe in Sindh. Khasakheli is a tribe in Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal prov ...
, Memons
The Memon are a Muslim community in Gujarat India, and Sindh, Pakistan, the majority of whom follow the Hanafi fiqh of Sunni Islam. They are divided into different groups based on their origins: Memons (Kathiawar), Kathiawari Memons, Kutchi Me ...
and Lohana
Lohana are a Hindu ''jāti, caste'', a trading or mercantile community mostly residing in India and some also in Pakistan.
The Lohanas are divided into many separate cultural groups as a result of centuries apart in different regions. Thus th ...
s make "Butti" flower motifs on Abochhinis. The Soomra tribe wedding shawls have scattered buds of "Akk" plant ( Calotropis procera) embroidered in typical Phulri ( Herringbone) stitch, various other motifs like Bayri (Ziziphus jujuba
Jujube (UK ; US or ), sometimes jujuba, scientific name ''Ziziphus jujuba'', and also called red date, Chinese date, and Chinese jujube, is a species in the genus '' Ziziphus'' in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae. It is often confused wit ...
), Kanwal (Lotus), stitches and colors of luminous silk threads are used on it, these shawls were given to brides as part of dowry.
Loi/Loee: these are simple handwoven lightweight winter shawls, these are made usually in cream
Cream is a dairy product composed of the higher-fat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization. In un-homogenized milk, the fat, which is less dense, eventually rises to the top. In the industrial production of cream, this proces ...
colors.
Sindhi Rawa/Chadars: Sindhi traditional dupattas are long and wide, which are beautifully embroidered with mirrorwork on plain, printed or bandhani cloth, today worn when women go outdoors to cover their head and body.
Modern clothing
Shalwar kameez
Men and women wear the straight cut Punjabi shalwar kameez
Shalwar kameez (also salwar kameez and less commonly shalwar qameez) is a traditional combination dress worn by men and women in South Asia, and Central Asia.
'' Shalwars'' are trousers which are atypically wide at the waist and narrow to a ...
using local prints, embroideries and designs.
Sindhi kurta
The Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
i kurta is the traditional straight cut variety worn in neighbouring Punjab which is becoming increasingly popular in Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
but uses local patterns to embroidery the garment and also makes use of mirrors. The local art of bandhani (creating patterned textiles by resisting parts of a fabric by tying knots on it before it is dyed) is utilised which is believed to have originated in Sindh
Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
and spread to Gujarat
Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...
via Rajasthan
Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...
and is also practiced in the Punjab region
Punjab (; ; also romanised as Panjāb or Panj-Āb) is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia. It is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising areas of modern-day eastern Pakistan and no ...
. Sindhi kurtas are also made out of heavy applique called "Tuk" and the kurtas are often called Tuk kurtas. Ajrak prints are also used.
Western clothes are also worn by young boys and girls.
File:Snidhi Topi 01.jpg, Sindhi cap and Ajrak shawl.
File:USAID’s Entrepreneurs Project (13424662403).jpg, Sindhi Gulkari (Phulkari) embroidered modern style Chola.
Gallery
File:Indus valley Clothing.jpg, Image showing clothing in Indus valley civilization
File:Painting of a Sindhi and a Parsi from a series of twelve paintings, ca.1850.jpg, Painting of a Sindhi and a Parsi from a series of twelve paintings, c.1850
File:Armor of Mail and Plate MET DP151776.jpg, Sindhi Armor
File:Armor of Mail and Plate MET DP151777.jpg, Sindhi Armor
File:Armor of Mail and Plate MET DP151781.jpg, Sindhi Armor
File:Sindhi Cloth Shop.JPG, Traditional Sindhi dresses in a cloth shop.
File:USAID Sindh Agricultural Recovery Program (5554569383).jpg, Elderly Sindhi man in Sindhi Salwar Kamis, Patko and Ajrak
File:A newly built, flood-resistant house in Pakistan's Sindh province.jpg, Two Sindhi men, one wearing Godd and Sindhi traditional floral rumal (handkerchief) as turban.
File:PK Karachi asv2020-02 img11 Clifton Beach.jpg, Sindhi man in Qamis and Kancha in Clifton beach, Karachi.
File:Sindhi boy wearing Sindhi topi (cap) and Sindhi rumal.jpg, Sindhi boy wearing Sindhi topi (cap) and Sindhi rumal.
File:Sindh calcture.jpg, Sindhi Sufi singer in ajrak turban, Kantha necklaces, and tamburo musical instrument of Sindh.
File:Search of water caretaker of camels walk about 40-50 KM in desert.jpg, Elderly man of thar desert wearing Phentiyo/Phento turban.
File:Bhils1880s.jpg, Men of thar desert in Sindh wearing Angelo.
File:A group of Plague staff, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897. Wellcome V0029267.jpg, Group of men in Karachi.
File:Faulad ali fakeer.JPG, Sindhi Muslim men
File:Hyderabad, Sindh (8091061309).jpg, Men of Hyderabad, Sindh
File:Hyderabad, Sindh (8091067705).jpg, Sindhi men wrestling (Malakhro) in Hyderabad.
File:George Murad Ali Khan.jpg, Talpur meers wearing Sherwanis and unique circular embroidered caps.
File:Portret van Mirza Zain-Ool-Abideen, een man van Perzische afkomst Mirza Zain-Ool-Abideen. Of Persian descent. Sheea Mussulman. Sind (titel op object), RP-F-2001-7-1122F-16.jpg, Portrait of an elderly man wearing unique hat probably Moghu hat.
File:Portret van drie onbekende Amil mannen uit Sindh Lohana Amils. Hindoos. Sind (titel op object), RP-F-2001-7-1122F-48.jpg, Portrait of Sindhi Lohana Amil men in Serai topi
File:Vintage group photo of Indian Sindh people.JPG, Vintage group photo of Sindhi Hindus.
File:Hindu tribal girl.jpg, Sindhi tribal girl
File:Illustrirte Zeitung (1843) 23 356 1 Ein Pullah-Fischer.png, Sketch of Sindhi fisherman catching " Palla" fish.
File:Portrait of a Hindu girl from Sindh, showing method of wearing ear and nose rings, wristlets and anklets (c. 1870s).jpg, A Sindhi girl of Karachi
File:Muslim girl karachi1870.jpg, A girl from Karachi
File:Portret van twee onbekende verkoopsters van vis uit Sindh Sellers of fish. Mussulmans. Sind (titel op object), RP-F-2001-7-1122F-70.jpg, Sindhi fisherwomen
File:Portret van een onbekende Babra vrouw en haar zoon Babras. Merchant class. Jains. Sind (titel op object), RP-F-2001-7-1122F-50.jpg, Portrait of a Jain woman and child
File:Womens' Economic Recovery Project District Kashmore Sindh (6805233695).jpg, Sindhi girl from Kashmore.
File:Women of tharr.jpg, Women of Thar desert, Sindh
File:THARPARKAR SINDH 3.jpg, Sindhi dress of Thar, Sindh.
File:Studying for the chance to become a teacher.jpg, A girl wearing Soossi fabric dress
File:Maheen Abro-Sukkur 02.jpg, A girl dressed in Sindhi embroidered Frock.
See also
* Punjabi clothing
the Punjab region, people wore cotton clothing. Both men and women wore knee-length tops. A scarf was worn over the tops which would be draped over the left shoulder and under the right. A large sheet would be further draped over one shoulder wh ...
References
{{Pakistani clothing
Sindhi culture
Pakistani clothing by ethnicity