Culture of Libya

Libya is a North African country along the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. The Libyan culture is a blend of many influences, due to its exposure to many historical eras. Its culture involves roots in Berber, African, Turkish and Arab cultures.[1] Libya was also an Italian colony for about three decades, which had a great impact on the culture. Libya has managed to keep its traditional folk culture alive to today.

Most Libyans are Berber and Arab, and 96.6% are Muslim Sunnis. Languages spoken in Libya include Arabic, Berber, Italian and English.

90% of the country is desert and that is the reason that only 10% of Libya’s population lives outside the coastline region

Libyan traditional dress

Nowadays, in modern Libya, people no longer wear the traditional dress very often, especially women, except the elderly Libyans, who still comply with traditions. The normal dress includes international modernized fashion that has spread out from the Western World. Women in Libya dress modestly and most of them wear the Hijab (Islam women choose whether or not to wear this.)

The traditional dress is now limited to special occasions; men wear it more often. In fact, it is popularly worn for Friday prayers, Eid (Islamic holiday) and weddings. Although the outfit slightly differs from one area to another, Libyan men’s clothes tend to be similar across entire Libya. It consists of a long white shirt ‘Jalabiya’or ‘Qamis’, long trousers ‘Sirwal’ and a vest called ‘Sadriya’ that is usually heavily knit with black silk and has buttons on its front. Men also wear a headdress called a ‘Shashiyah’ that is usually red or black. Men in Tripolitania prefer wearing the black Shashiyah while the men in Cyrenaica wear both. Libyan men also wear a tight, knitted, white cap underneath the Shashiyah for when they are indoors. A large outer cloak known as ‘Jarid’ is worn on top and wrapped around the body in a Roman-toga way, except in Libya, the Jarid is usually tied at the right shoulder and the remainder is brought around up over the head. Libyan men wear leather boots, usually with a heel for riding horses, leather sandals or slippers.

As for Libyan women, the traditional outfit differs slightly from one region to another; however, the general outfit consists of a blouse with baggy sleeves that are embroidered with beads and silver/gold thread and baggy silk trousers that have an elastic band at the bottom. On top of that, women wear brightly colored cloths are made into dresses like togas and held together by silver brooches. Women in the rural areas use heavy woven rug-like cloths due to the climate. The head is covered using a colorful cloth embellished with colorful pom-poms. Libyan women wear large pieces of gold or silver jewelry. The neckwear usually goes down to the knees and the bracelets are 4–6 inches wide. The large silver brooches used to attach the cloth are now replaced with gold and are usually decorated with a “Khamaisah”, a hand shaped symbol, or other charms that are believed to keep the evil eye off.

Women only wear the full outfit with the jewelry in special occasions and weddings. It is traditional for the groom to give the outfit with the gold to his bride at their wedding and for the bride to wear it the day after. The women’s traditional outfit is very expensive, but the prices vary depending on the quality and weight of gold or silver.

Libyan Traditional Clothing

The old traditional clothes or “costumes” in Libya are different from city to city in terms of color, shape, and designing. Furthermore, some of them are shaped for children, some for adults and some are designed uniquely for both sexes. It’s worthy mentioning that the traditional clothes of all kinds have been developed as the development of other aspects of life whether in the rural cities, desert, and cities.

Indeed, those type of clothes were made by masterful hands with simplicity while in nowadays they have altered with more creativity, refinement, ornaments.

1- The Libyan Bridal Dress:

In fact, the traditional wear differs from one region to another slightly; the general costume consists of a blouse with baggy sleeves that are embroidered with beads and silver/gold thread and baggy silk trousers that have an elastic band at the bottom. On top of that, women dress up brightly colored cloths are made into dresses like togas and held together by silver brooches. On the other hand, Women in the rural areas use heavy woven rug-like cloths due to the climate. The head is covered using a colorful cloth embellished with colorful pom-poms. Libyan women wear large pieces of gold or silver jewelry. The neckwear usually goes down to the knees and the bracelets are 4 — 6 inches wide. Women only wear the full dress with the jewelry in special occasions and weddings. It is traditional for the groom to give the outfit with the gold to his bride at their wedding and for the bride to wear it the day after. The women’s traditional dress is excessively pricey, but the prices vary depending on the quality and weight of gold or silver.

2- The Libyan Men outfit:

The traditional dress is now limited to special occasions; men wear it more often. Indeed, it is popularly worn for Friday prayers, Eid (Islamic holiday) and weddings. Although the outfit slightly differs from one area to another, Libyan men’s clothes tend to be similar across entire Libya. It contains of a long white shirt ‘Jalabiya’or ‘Qamis’, long trousers ‘Sirwal’ and a vest called ‘Sadriya’ that is usually heavily knit with black silk and has buttons on its front. Men also wear a headdress called a ‘Shashiyah’ that is usually red or black. Men in Tripolitania prefer wearing the black Shashiyah while the men in Cyrenaica wear both. Libyan men also wear a tight, knitted, white cap underneath the Shashiyah for when they are indoors. A large outer cloak known as ‘Jarid’ is worn on top and wrapped around the body in a Roman-toga way, except in Libya, the Jarid is usually tied at the right shoulder and the remainder is brought around up over the head. Libyan men wear leather boots, usually with a heel for riding horses, leather sandals or slippers.

Traditional Industries, Designs & Crafts

Libyan costume the “Farmila

Many traditional costumes in Libya have left room for western clothing, such as jeans, T-shirts, and shorts, but the men’s “Farmila” remains one of the most commonly worn traditional outfits you can still see today even in rural areas.

Basically, it is worn with a loose knee-length shirt with a pair of baggy trousers; however, the Farmila is part of a wider ensemble, consisting of a stitched jacket the “Zaboun” and a cloak the “Juba” or “Jalabia”, which is usually worn in occasions and formal events.

The Libyan dress has undoubtedly been influenced by other cultures. Libya, as most of the Arab countries, had lived under the Ottoman umbrella for a while. Historians indicate that the Farmila had been passed on to Libya by the Ottoman sailors, this might explain why it is most common in the north coastal part of the country, however, others believe it goes way back to the Berber era.

The Farmila is a sleeveless top, embroidered with a decorative cord from the front part. Women’s Farmila is also of this form, but it is embroidered with golden and silver threads and enhanced with golden buttons, which makes it a special occasion outfit.

The price of the men’s Farmila depends basically on the type of material, the fineness of the thread, and the embroidery, which could vary from the simple to the elaborate.

There are five primary patterns used for decorating the Farmila, the designs followed in the stitching are based on the occasion concerned or whether it is for daily wear, as well as the age group, however, nowadays only discerning consumers care for such details.

The “Dafirah” and “Al-Koustik”, are the simplest among the group, they are lightly embroidered, making them affordable to a large cross-section of the population, while other versions like the “Lalaja” stayed well out of reach of middle-class people for its high price.

Next comes the “Sanadiq” or the boxes version, its design is more detailed than the first two, but still, it remains an economical option, as it is lightly stitched with square patterns which is where it got its name from.

As for the upper class of businessmen and merchants, they go for the “Qassat Al-Wasat” meaning the middle cuts, and the “Qassat Al-Barnous” also called the “Lalaja” design, characterized by a small pocket on the left side made especially for the pocket watch.

To make the Libyan Farmila, you need a piece of fabric, an appliqué cord, and a needle not more than five cm large, but it’s the skilled hands which make the difference and turn the garment into a piece of art.

The classic version of the Farmila requires the colour of the cord and the material of the garment to be similar, but times have changed, designers these days have introduced new styles with an amalgamation of daring colours paring white and gold cords with dark-coloured fabric, not typically found in older designs.

Talented hands can stitch their way through the fabric without a ready-printed design, each finger has a task, one for stitching another for holding the fabric and the left thumb for measurement and for “guiding the way”. Some claimed they can accomplish the task in total darkness.

If you ever jump in a plane to Libya don’t miss visiting the “Souq Al-Mushir” historic market in the Old City of Tripoli the “Medina”, where you could purchase your own Farmila, as it is the main market for Libyan traditional costumes.

Libyan Farmila has also attracted world celebrities such as the Rock and Roll singer, Elvis Presley and the football icon Maradona, who did not miss the chance to take a picture in the Farmila outfit.

Libyan Traditional Jewelry

Libyan women often wear large pieces of gold or silver jewelry and there are several traditional jewelry outfits. The neckwear usually goes down to the knees and the bracelets are 4–6 inches wide.

The large silver brooches used to attach the cloth are now replaced with gold and are usually decorated with a “Khamaisah”, a hand shaped symbol, or other charms that are believed to keep the evil eye off. These traditional outfits are called Sudraa and differ from one city to another.

Painting

The art of painting is much admired in Libya and according to popular estimates, the populace of Libya adores this art to a great extent. Libyan painters are very well acknowledged for their talent.  One distinguished painter is Ali al-Albani, who is very well adept at carving landscapes.

Another distinguished painter in this field is Ali Zwaik, whose paintings are very well admired for being conceptual. Mohammed Zwawi is a famous cartoonist whose work is also praiseworthy for certain reasons. Ataf al Somali is a female painter who makes use of watercolors in painting. Abu Ras is also a noticeable persona in this field who makes excellent paintings.

Reference –

https://www.google.com/search?q=libyan+traditional+art+information&rlz=1C1GGRV_enIN882IN882&sxsrf=ALeKk03EkI7dl1X73ckNX6BvvYZKzOSePg:1601913564438&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjT_d-H6Z3sAhVcwTgGHffcDWMQ_AUoAnoECBMQBA&biw=1298&bih=616

https://medium.com/@mawaddahjacob/libyan-traditional-clothing-19e9e866482b

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Libya

https://fidelitygroup5republicoflibya.wordpress.com

By Nidhi Singh