cloak

A loose cloak (or 'bisht') with arm openings. It is made of brown cotton, and has been machine embroidered with bands of gold-coloured, red, and yellow embroidery thread along the front edging.

This 'bisht' belonged to Mallam Moussa's younger brother who had received it as a gift from a friend, who had bought it while on haj in Mecca the year before (in 2004). Mallam Moussa often wore the 'bisht' (which he himself referred to as 'bournous' or 'bournoushi') over a 'babba riga' (gown) when going out.

The 'bisht' is an Arabic cloak and is brought to Agadez mostly by people who have been to Mecca. It is predominantly worn by older men in Agadez, though Ursel Widemann has seen two or three younger men wearing it too.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
2007.255
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 1430 mm x 1530 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
cotton; thread; machine embroidery
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
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Collection Information

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