THE CROWN AND THE CLOAK

This project documents two traditional elements of Gulf Arab attire, the Iqal (the black cord worn a top of the ghutra) and the Bisht (the ceremonial cloak). Both garments carry deep cultural weight, symbolizing identity, authority, and masculine heritage across generations.

Photographed in Riyadh and Kuwait, the work reveals the hands, tools, and labour behind these iconic cultural objects. From the weaving of the Iqal to the intricate gold zari embroidery of the Bisht, the images highlight craft as a form of lineage knowledge passed from father to son, preserved in technique and repetition.

By focusing on the makers, this project shifts attention toward the unseen stories embedded in tradition. It explores how material culture shapes identity and how craftsmanship becomes an act of cultural continuity in our rapidly changing region.