Historic

The Meaning and Symbolism of Traditional Bridal Costumes in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

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Abstract

The western region of Saudi Arabia has its own unique traditional bridal garments. Little is known about these bridal costumes, however because they are handmade by a few families who live in the region. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the history, significance, and meaning of the Hijazi bridal costumes. Symbolic interactionism was the theoretical starting point of this study. Qualitative data were collected via in-depth interviews from 22 married Saudi women. A purposive, snowball sampling strategy was used. The data were analyzed using Miles & Huberman process. Four key themes emerged, including: 1) physical appearance and process of wearing them, 2) meanings and beliefs related to the costumes' components, 3) appropriate occasions the costumes could be worn, and 4) motivation negotiated within families. The Hijazi bridal costumes have deep historical roots in Saudi Arabian culture which continues to play a significant role in today's marriage rituals.

How to Cite:

Tawfiq, W. & Marcketti, S. B., (2016) “The Meaning and Symbolism of Traditional Bridal Costumes in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 73(1).