Algerian Boys' Clothes: Chronology


Figure 1.-- This photograph was entitled "A Boy with his Camel" (Jeune Chamelier). It was marketed by Sapjo in France (#23, Scenes et Types) as a commercial postcard. We believe it was taken in Algeria. We are unsure as to when, but it was probably taken in the early-20th century during the French colonial period. The public in Metropolitan France was intrigued with Arab ethnographic images. The clothing worn in these early photography probably represent fashions worn for centuries in Europe.

Algeria and the rest of North Africa was part of the Roman Empire and the population wore Roman styles. We do not yet have much historical clothing information on Algeria. Algeria was conquered by Arab invaders (8th century). Clothing styles appear to have become heavily influenced by Arab styles for the next 13 centuries. We do not yet know if there were destinctive Algerian styles. HBC has little information on French colonial fashions in the 19th century, but believes that they were probably quite similar to fashions in metropolitan France, especially southern France. Available images on Algeria during the 20th century show boys wearing the same fashions that they would have in France, al though the warmer Algerian climate may have made for some minor differences. French colonial rule beginning in the 1830s had considerable influence on Algerian fashions, especially men and boy's fashions. This was especially true in the more urban areas. Algerian boys, however, might not wear short pants as much as the French boys--especially the older boys. This has become even more so after independence. Some French fashion influences have been retained. School children commonly wear smocks, usually with long pants. Algeria was one of the more westernized Arab states. Still many Algerians wear traditional dress, especially in the villages and rural areas. The ongoing civil war during the 1990s is also affecting fashion. Dressing in western fashions can provide clues as to a persons political attitudes, making one a potential target to the fundamentalists.

Roman Empire

The Romans after the defeat of Carthage in the Punic Wars became the dominant Meditwerranean power. They did not at first, however, begin to romanize North Africa. They were at first content to meerly defeat and destroy Carthage. Gradually they set anout romanizing it (1st century BC). Algeria and the rest of North Africa became entegral parts of Roman Empire. Colonists flowed from Italy. We do not yet have much historical clothing information on Algeria. The romanized population in the north wore Roman styles. We are less sure about the more pastoral Bedouine in the interior. We do not know how fashion was affected after the fall of Rome by the Vandals and Byzanties.

Islamic Era (7th-19th centuries)

The Islamic era covers a long period, more than a millenium. Unfortunately at this time we have little infotmation on clothing trends. Algeria was conquered by Arab invaders (7th century). Clothing styles appear to have become heavily influenced by Arab styles. We are not entirely sure ascto how Arab styles merged with the earlier Roman styles and the Berber/Bedouine styles. Algeria was dominated by the Arabs for the next 13 centuries. We do not yet know if there were destinctive Algerian styles. After the Renaissance and growth of European power, Algiers became one of the Barbary Pirate states, nominally apart of the Ottoman Empire. As a result, Turkish fashions became important, at least in the northern coastal cities. Paintings and drawings od the Barbary Pirates often show the Algerians dressed in baggy pants. This was a garment more of Turkish/Persian origins, although was adopted in the Caliphate. We are unsure just how wide spread the styles were. Photography was developed at about the same time that France began its colonization of Algeria (1830s). And even in the 20th century, there were Algerian villages that were largely untouched by French rule. We believe the fashions worn were similar to those worn during the Islamic era. Thus there is some photographic evidence of how Algerians dressed in the Islamic era. Village men might wear a burnous (a long, hooded robe) and baggy pants. Women traditionally wore a haik (a long piece of cloth draped over the entire body and head). The hijab (a long, loose dress and hair covering) was another Islamic garment worn by many women. We do not know of any clothing styles for children, although Islamic modesty concerns were age based.

French Colonial Era (1830s-1950s)

HBC has little information on French colonial fashions in the 19th century, but believes that they were probably quite similar to fashions in metropolitan France, especially southern France. Available images on Algeria during the 20th century show boys wearing the same fashions that they would have in France, although the warmer Algerian climate may have made for some minor differences. The colonization of Algeria was the first step after the Napoleonic Wars in restablishing a French empire. It was also after the American Barbary Wars, the next step in supressing the Barbary Pirates. French colonial rule beginning in the 1830s had considerable influence on Algerian fashions, especially men and boy's fashions. This was especially true in the more urban areas. There were two distincr communities, French colonial and Algerian Arab. The two comminities blired to an extent in the cities with many Algerian arabs adopting Western clothing. Algerian boys in the cities , however, might not wear short pants as much as the French boys--especially the older boys. As one moved south in rural areas and villages, Arab fashions continued to be worn. This was especially the case with women, but men also wore traditiinal Arab dress.

Independence (1961- )

Western fashions continued to be worn after independence. French fashion influences were retained. In fact the war for independence had the impact of liberating women from traditional roles and clothing. Algeria was one of the Arab countries to fight a war to achieve independence. (Arabia fought the Turks and the Libyans fought the Italians, although unsucessgfully). Algerian women fought alongside men in the FLN. Thus among many Algerian women at the time of independence, Western dress was common. This was unsettling for many traditional Algerians and the Islamicists currently fighting go overthrow the Algerian Govenment would like women to dress and belave more tradituionally. School children commonly wear smocks, usually with long pants. Algeria was one of the more westernized Arab states. Still many Algerians wear traditional dress, especially in the villages and rural areas. The ongoing civil war during the 1990s is also affecting fashion. Dressing in western fashions can provide clues as to a persons political attitudes, making one a potential target to the fundamentalists.







HBC




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Created: 8:15 AM 11/15/2009
Last updated: 1:06 AM 2/12/2011