BootsnAll Travel Community

Would like to have a head scaf ready for the times i will need it? Is this a top item online shopping please advise

Head scarves are an absolutely huge online item. There are tons of beautiful styles and colors available on ebay and amazon.

Or you could probably just make one.

Are you talking about a hijab (Islamic head covering?). Because those really are just scarfs. You can find them at Macy's or wherever. Finding them is the easy part. Learning how to wear them properly that's the hard part.

Allthough I will tell you that the majority of N. Africans and Middle Easterners wear it 'hijab chique'

My friend bought a head scarf in a market in Zanzibar that was easy to use -- not just a simple scarf. Rather, for the part that goes over your head -- it was more like a tube of decorated stretchy fabric. Then a long rectangular piece of fabric was attached to the tube (if you lay the tube flat, it was attached to one side) -- long enough to throw over your shoulders.

I don't know if I'm wearing it correctly, but I tried it on. We were really fascinated by it in that it looks so easy to make and is easy to put on. The black sheer part is the long part of it.

Don't mind me in this picture..I was sweating like crazy there!!!

But I would listen to Prisa, she knows what she's talking about.

When should you wear a scarf? As a foreigner, I know there are different expectations, but when would it be respectable to wear one?

I have upcoming trips to Morocco and Turkey; that's my reason for wondering.

cherie,

i highly support the wearing of hijabs for western women who travel in islamic countries; with that said, i would advise against it in Turkey. the main reason for this is that Turkey is a very modern and western country, and not many women actually wear it. there is a great tension in that country over the use of the hijab -- to the extent that they're legally outlawed in schools and many other institutions. for a western woman who is not muslim to wear a hijab there would probably create more stress than desired.

in Morocco, however, i'd highly recommend it. it certainly isn't necessary in many places, as i described in a bit more detail in another thread, but is certainly a wonderful idea particularly in the south and in smaller villages and tribal areas. when i took my girlfriend with me to see a Berber family i know in southern Morocco, she wore a headscarf most of the time in the south and got compliments from local women and people seemed to open up to her a LOT more. she scarcely wore it in the middle and north, and in places that are much larger and urban.

hope that helps, enjoy your trip -- those are two absolutely beautiful countries that are changing fast!

having just come back from Egypt I would pack a scarf. While I felt total comfortable there will be times when you might need one. I found it very handy especially when the sun got too hot and also whe I was in a very conservative part of town and just wanted to stop the the staring and just blend in a bit. I'd look around and go with the flow. I will tell you even though I'm not muslim women seemed more willing to stop and talk or say hello when I had the scarf on. That being said your other clothing should be conservative as well.

And I'm not sure if it's been said and you've read it...but the hijab is not totally a Muslim thing. It's attached to Islam in it's own way...but honestly it's mostly just culture. A culture of modesty. Plenty of Muslim woman forgoe the hijab. Plenty of non-practicing but 'born into it' Arab woman wear it.
And light clothing does help protect you from the sun. That includes a light hijab. People who wear shorts and tank tops in N. Africa end up far more uncomfortable then those that opt for light long layers. But listen to Indiana Josh and ladylondon. It's worth bringing and learning how to put on. Have fun!

quote:

Originally posted by Prisa:
And I'm not sure if it's been said and you've read it...but the hijab is not totally a Muslim thing. It's attached to Islam in it's own way...but honestly it's mostly just culture. A culture of modesty. Plenty of Muslim woman forgoe the hijab. Plenty of non-practicing but 'born into it' Arab woman wear it.

exactly right. the hijab certainly pre-dates the advent of Islam, and nowhere in the Qur'an does it mandate the use of hijab; in fact, only in a hadith by Al-Buqqari does it discuss wearing the hijab, but even that is disputed amongst the umma. it is most definitely a cultural thing that has become "woven into" the religion -- and is entirely about modesty.

i wish more westerners understood that.

thank you for that advice...can I hear more about your trip? how long did you stay? where did you stay?

I now proudly own two jihabs...one brown and one navy blue ...both with a matching undercover for my hair. It was fun and a neat experience as well to see the different types and styles. i bought it online with starscarves.com. No shipping, great quality(as far as I know) and fast. THANKS for all the suggestions...You really helped...as a matter of fact I was trying it on with some friends and my daughter walked into the room and didn't even recognize me....It's great for bad hair days too!!!!!!!

We did not wear a head scarf anywhere in Morocco or Turkey ( nor did I in Egypt) and had no problem what so ever and also had great connections with the women in all of those countries even in very rural areas and on local transportation with only natives.

We did dress conservatively ( more so than many of the natives that we saw) and we did wear proper attire before going into mosques ( Turkey). I did not see any tourists in Turkey or Morocco with a head scarf on.

Seems kind of overboard for a few days visit. If you "must" have one, why not buy one there where they will be much cheaper and a souvenir.

Problems that woman face usually hinge on a lot of things. If they have children and a husband with them, oftentimes they will be left completely alone. OR if they look like they are old enough to have many children and a husband oftentimes there are no problesm.
But for a woman in her 20's-30's travelling alone or with just a child then going as conservative as possible is not a bad idea. Most tourists do not wear hijab, but the ones that do (and there are a few) get more respect and admiration from most all the locals. Instead of saying "Look at the red tourists flesh" they say "see, she is european/american but she is trying to cover like a Moroccan, how lovely".