The traditional attire of the Chlefian woman: between local authenticity and Islamic-Andalusian and Ottoman influences- a decorative artistic study

Abstract

This research addresses the study of traditional women's clothing in the Chlef region as an essential component of the local cultural identity, where a blend of the authenticity of deeply rooted social heritage and various civilizational influences, particularly Andalusian and Ottoman Islamic, is evident. The research seeks to elucidate the distinctive artistic and decorative characteristics of this attire by analyzing the elements of shape, color, and materials, as well as decoding its esthetic and symbolic meanings. The research also focuses on the role of cultural and historical exchange in shaping this material heritage, highlighting how external influences are employed in decorative details without losing the garment's local character. The research adopted a descriptive-analytical approach by studying selected models of Shalfi clothing in light of their historical and civilizational contexts. The results concluded that this garment constitutes a complex artistic expression reflecting rich civilizational interactions, necessitating its documentation and protection as part of collective memory and intangible cultural heritage.