Portable shading- Nomadic

Dressed for harsh conditions

Northern African fashion garments originate from the early days of transSaharan trade between Sub-Saharan and North Africa, which went back hundreds of years to the 7th and 8th centuries. The clothing may be considered by some locals to symbolize shyness and modesty, but most agree that it protects against the sun and the frequent sandstorms of the region.

Local Mauritanian guide Dahid Jdeidou said the daraa design not only allows for optimal airflow in these difficult environments, but also conserves body water in the desert.

Nowadays, more people live in larger cities than in the Sahara, and fashion styles are more similar to those in the West than in the Saharan desert. Yet the daraa and tagelmusts are still highly popular in Mauritania, where the men wear them in captivating shades of blue, and the style seems to be here to stay.

A long, loose gown called the Saharan daraa or boubou, and a cloth veil called the tagelmust, are two clothing staples for the Saharan nomadic men.

“The Blue Men of the Sahara.” BBC Travel. BBC. Accessed November 30, 2022. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210927-the-blue-men-of-the-sahara.

“The Blue Men of Sahara - Culture and Tradition.” Desertbrise Travel, September 14, 2022. https://www.desertbrise-travel.com/the-blue-men-of-sahara/.