Shimmering fabrics
Draped in their diri, Djiboutian women dress the streets of Djibouti with their dazzling beauty. Similar to the African boubou , this colorful fabric wraps around the body, allowing the wearer to "play hide-and-seek" with the gaze of others, using light and shade. Local shopkeepers being what they are, it's decided that a particular pattern or color goes out of fashion very quickly, sometimes within a week, which means frequent wardrobe changes. A stroll through the Djibouti market will allow you to admire all the shades and elegance of this very popular city garment. And why not buy one of these beautiful fabrics and go to the tailor for a made-to-measure garment to your taste.
A fouta is a long loincloth tied around the hips and worn by men. The term is used in Arabic-speaking and Eastern Mediterranean countries. The garment can range from a simple towel to a silk-embroidered fabric. Its archetypal motif is the stripe. According to some specialists, its origins pre-date the spread of Islam, and lie in India. Today, the term fouta is attributed to anything remotely resembling a sarong or loincloth. It's the garment of well-being and elegant relaxation, worn on the way home from work, at weekends or at qat time.
Spices, perfumes and incense
Perfumes and incense are part of daily life in Djibouti. In every home, store and even restaurant, embers melt pieces of incense (usually myrrh) to perfume the rooms. Djiboutian women also take particular care to perfume themselves, their clothes and their hair with smoke that fixes odors. Many stores sell concentrated oils and incense resins of varying quality, which can be very expensive. Chemchem and jasmine leaves are also available to perfume women's closets and blouses.
When it comes to spices, the Indian influence is strong. Turmeric, cumin, cardamom and others add their fragrance to many dishes, and especially to the fragrant red sauces that accompany meat, rice and pasta. At the Djibouti market, you'll delight your eyes and nostrils as you stroll among the spice vendors. If you like spicy food, now's the time to stock up!
Wood, metal, palm fibers..
Palm fibers are used to make numerous braided objects. Djibouti women make traditional mats, trays (used for sorting grain), colorful baskets, bags and hats. Embroidery and pottery are also part of the local craft scene. Woodworking and metalworking are reserved for men, who make kitchen utensils, carved sticks and traditional knives and daggers. Traditionally, nomads also work skins to make sandals, bags and gourds.
