Until recently, this part of the Arab world has been greatly neglected by researchers into material culture even though Syria has a long and venerable textile history, filled with terms for textiles we're all familiar with, i.e. brocade, atlas and damask. The exhibit, however, will concentrate on examples of dresses from the villages of present day Syria. In viewing the collection audiences will realize how clearly the ethnic and religious traditions of Syria's people are reflected in the richness and range of their costumes. Ultimately the dress is a very personal expression of a woman's identity and her circumstances. In the Syrian villages, traditional culture has survived longest, as traditions have been adapted to the economic conditions that seemed often to be imposed from the outside world.
Clothing is perhaps the most visible expression of that survival.
Within each region, women developed a local style of dress. Village customs dictated the headdress, the jewelry, and the cut and decoration of the outer garments. Working within this outline, women exercised some creativity. For at least the last century, village women have embroidered dresses, skirts, pantaloons, vests, and caps for their own use and for sale to other women. Many young girls embroidered two dresses for their trousseau.