Khit errouh

Last updated
Khit errouh
Portrait d'une algeroise.jpg
Algerine woman (from Algiers) wearing a rosette Khit er rouh around her neck and a Karakou vest (c.1880)
Alternative namesKhit errouh, Khit er rouh, Zerouf
Place of origin

Khit er rouh, also known as Zerouf, is a type of Algerian diadem or headband made up of nineteen carved chatons linked together by rings, forming rosettes or rosaces and zerraref pendeloques made of gold set with diamonds or other precious stones. It is worn across the forehead with traditional outfits like the Karakou, where it is worn with a pair of earrings encrusted with tiny gemstones and several strands of baroque pearls. [1] This Algerian accessory was inscribed in 2012 in the UNESCO, as an Intangible Heritage Of Humanity, along with The Algerian Kaftan and Chedda Of Tlemcen. [2]

Contents

It is also worn with the Chedda of Tlemcen, accompanied by other ornaments such as the djébin, and can be worn around the neck. [3]

The diadem is the favorite jewel of Algerian women, and it still accompanies the bridal outfit today. It is adorned with precious stones by wealthy city dwellers but does not serve to designate their social status. Women in Tlemcen wear three or four superimposed diadems. [4]

Some models were made up of an assembly of diamonds forming rosettes of rubies and emeralds set in silver or gold opercula.

It is a millennia-old jewel that is part of the trousseau of the Algerian bride-to-be and can also be demanded as a dowry. It is passed down from mother to daughter, so some families in Algiers possess very ancient and therefore very expensive "khit er rouh". [5]

History

Originally from the city of Algiers, the Khiterrouh was worn under another gold diadem called Açaba (in Arabic: عصّابة "ʿAṣṣāba"), formed of hinged plates, in the shape of an inverted escutcheon, adorned with quivering pins. [6]

During the 20th century, it became the only head jewel of the capital in Algiers. It was very successful in other Algerian cities and in some mountain villages, such as Aurès. Khit errouh has also recently been imported from Algeria to Morocco where it also became very popular. [7]

Numerous examples are preserved in Algeria, particularly at the National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts and at the National Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tlemcen</span> City in Algeria

Tlemcen is the second-largest city in northwestern Algeria after Oran and is the capital of Tlemcen Province. The city has developed leather, carpet, and textile industries, which it exports through the port of Rachgoun. It had a population of 140,158, as of the 2008 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaftan</span> Traditional elongated cloak-like garment

A kaftan or caftan is a variant of the robe or tunic. Originating in Asia, it has been worn by a number of cultures around the world for thousands of years. In Russian usage, kaftan instead refers to a style of men's long suit with tight sleeves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regency of Algiers</span> 1516–1830 Autonomous Ottoman State in North Africa

The Regency of Algiers was an early modern tributary state of the Ottoman Empire on the Barbary Coast of North Africa from 1516 to 1830. Founded by the corsair brothers Oruç and Hayreddin Barbarossa, the regency was a formidable pirate base infamous for its corsairs, first ruled by Ottoman viceroys, and later a sovereign military republic that plundered and waged maritime holy war against Christian powers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nedroma</span> City in Tlemcen, Algeria

Nedroma is a city in Tlemcen Province, in northwestern Algeria, about 77 kilometres (48 mi) from Tlemcen. Once the capital of Trara, it was built on the ruins of a Berber town by Abd al-Mu'min the Almohad caliph. It has a great Islamic history, with its Great Mosque of Nedroma once containing the earliest surviving Almoravid minbar. Nedroma became a UNESCO World Heritage in 2002 for its cultural importance.

The traditional Albanian clothing includes more than 500 different varieties of clothing in all Albania and the Albanian-speaking territories and communities. Albania's recorded history of clothing goes back to classical times. It is one of the factors that has differentiated this nation from other European countries, dating back to the Illyrian period.

The Battle of Wadi al-Laban occurred in March–April 1558 between Saadians and Ottoman Algerian forces under Hasan Pasha, the son of Hayreddin Barbarossa. It took place north of Fes, at Wadi al-Laban, an affluent of the Sebou River, one day north of Fes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Tlemcen</span> Berber kingdom in Algeria (1235–1554)

The Kingdom of Tlemcen or Zayyanid Kingdom of Tlemcen was a kingdom ruled by the Berber Zayyanid dynasty in what is now the northwest of Algeria. Its territory stretched from Tlemcen to the Chelif bend and Algiers, and at its zenith reached Sijilmasa and the Moulouya River in the west, Tuat to the south and the Soummam in the east.

Edmond Doutté was a French sociologist, orientalist and Islamologist - both Arabist and Berberologist - but also an explorer of Maghreb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conflicts between the Regency of Algiers and Morocco</span> Overview of the conflicts between the Regency of Algiers and Morocco

Conflicts between the Regency of Algiers and the Cherifian dynasties or Algerian-Sherifian conflicts opposed Morocco to the Ottoman Empire and its dependencies in a series of wars between the Regency of Algiers and its allied local sultanates and tribal confederations, and on the other hand, the Sharifian Saadian and Alawite dynasties that had ruled Morocco since the 16th century.

The chedda of Tlemcen is a traditional Algerian dress, more precisely of the city of Tlemcen, but also worn in the west of the country, in particular in Oran and Mostaganem. A product of the local craftsmanship, it is worn by brides in Tlemcen for their wedding ceremony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Moulouya</span>

The Battle of Moulouya took place in May 1692 at a ford on the Moulouya river in Morocco. It was fought between the armies of the Alaouite Sultan Moulay Ismail and those of the Dey of Algiers Hadj Chabane.

The Campaign of Tlemcen or Tlemcen campaign was a military operation led by the Saadians of Mohammed ash-Sheikh against Tlemcen in 1557, then under the domination of the Regency of Algiers, a vassal state of the Ottoman Empire. Mohammed ash-Sheikh, who wanted to conquer Algeria, occupied the city but failed to seize the Mechouar Palace, which was defended by a garrison of 500 men under the command of Caïd Saffa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campaign of Tlemcen (1551)</span> Algerian expedition

The Campaign of Tlemcen (1551) was a military operation led by the Regency of Algiers under Hasan Pasha and his ally Abdelaziz, following the capture of Tlemcen by the Saadi Sultanate in June 1550.

The Maghrebi war (1699–1702) was a conflict involving a Tunisian, Tripolitanian, and Moroccan coalition, and the Deylik of Algiers. It was an important milestone in the further weakening of the already fragile Ottoman grip over the Maghreb, as both sides utterly ignored the Ottoman sultan's pleas to sign a peace treaty. This war also led to the renewal of the Muradid infighting, which would later lead to the establishment of the Beylik of Tunis, and the Husainid dynasty in 1705.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karakou</span> Algerian clothing

The Karakou is a long-sleeved fitted velvet jacket embroidered with golden and silvered threads, it is a traditional Algerian garment originating from Algiers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Djebba fergani</span> Algerian clothing

A djebba fergani or gandoura is a traditional long velvet dress adorned with elaborate embroidery, originating in Constantine, Algeria. It is made from black or burgundy velvet and features elaborate golden embroidery. It is also worn in Tizi Ouzou, where it is typically made using cotton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarma (hat)</span> Algerian clothing

The Sarma or Serma is a cone-shaped metallic headdress that originated in Algiers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jewellery of the Berber cultures</span> Traditional jewellery of Berber peoples in North Africa

Jewelleryof the Berber cultures is a historical style of traditional jewellery that was worn by women mainly in rural areas of the Maghreb region in North Africa and inhabited by indigenous Berber people. Following long social and cultural traditions, Berber or other silversmiths in Morocco, Algeria and neighbouring countries created intricate jewellery with distinct regional variations. In many towns and cities, there were Jewish silversmiths, who produced both jewellery in specific Berber styles as well as in other styles, adapting to changing techniques and artistic innovations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Jewellery Museum (Morocco)</span> Public museum in Rabat, Morocco

The National Jewellery Museum, in French Musée national de la Parure, of Morocco is an ethnographic museum, located in the former Musée des Oudayas in the country's capital Rabat. Along with the Kasbah of the Udayas, the museum's buildings and Andalusian-inspired gardens are part of UNESCO's World Heritage sites in Rabat. Opened to the public in January 2023, the museum attracted 40,000 visitors during the first week.

Sahaba el-Rehmania was the wife of the Moroccan sultan of the Saadian dynasty Mohammed al-Shaykh and the mother of Abu Marwan Abd al-Malik. Gifted in diplomacy, she held a leading political role throughout her life. She was ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at the court of Sultan Murad III.

References

  1. Belkaïd, Leyla (1998). Algéroises : histoire d'un costume méditerranéen. Aix-en-Provence: Edisud. ISBN   2-85744-918-6. OCLC   41527694.
  2. "UNESCO - Rites and craftsmanship associated with the wedding costume tradition of Tlemcen". ich.unesco.org. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  3. Musée national du Bardo, , Tlemcen, capitale de la culture islamique 2011, 2011, 224 p.p. 114
  4. Belkaïd, Leyla (2003). Costumes d'Algérie. Paris: Layeur. ISBN   2-911468-97-X. OCLC   52429324.
  5. "El Khit Errouh ou El Zerouf, un bijou qui rehausse la beauté de la femme algérienne". vitaminedz.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  6. Eudel, Paul (1906). Dictionnaire des bijoux de l'Afrique du Nord ; Maroc, Algérie, Tunisie, Tripolitaine. Abdelmajid Arrif. Editions de La Croisée des chemins. p. 242. ISBN   978-9954-1-0466-8. OCLC   928041164.
  7. Besancenot, Jean (2008). Costumes du Maroc (in French). Eddif. p. 164. ISBN   978-9954-1-0256-5. « C'est le khit er roh algérien ( le fil de l'âme ) récemment importé au Maroc . »