Islamic Dress Collection

A man rides a donkey in one of the narrow streets of Lamu town. In the absence of vehicles, which are banned in the island

Portrait of the Sultan Abdul Medjid, from a painting by M. Doussault, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Portrait of the Sultan Abdul Medjid, from a painting by M. Doussault, 1854. From "Cassell's Illustrated Family Paper; London Weekly 31 Dec 1853 to 30 Dec 1854"

Souvenir of Scutari, 1857 (oil on canvas)
TW426895 Souvenir of Scutari, 1857 (oil on canvas) by Armitage, Edward (1817-96); 122x183 cm; Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Femme turque en toilette de ville, 1870s. Creator: Felix Bonfils
Femme turque en toilette de ville, 1870s

Woman and child near the Kobri el Gezira Bridge, Cairo, 1898. Creator: Christian Wilhelm Allers
Woman and child near the Kobri el Gezira Bridge, Cairo, 1898. An die Nilbrucke. From " Rund um die Erde" [Round the Earth], written and illustrated by C. W. Allers

Girls at Philae, Egypt, 1898. Creator: Christian Wilhelm Allers
Girls at Philae, Egypt, 1898. Portrait of two girls at the Island of Philae. Madchen auf Philae. From " Rund um die Erde" [Round the Earth], written and illustrated by C. W. Allers

Nubian women wear bright dresses and headscarves even though they are Muslims. Many of the older generation have tribal scars on their faces

Burusho girls return home with fodder for their livestock in the Hunza Valley

A man embroiders Swahili hats, which are popular with Muslims on Lamu Island and elsewhere. It takes hours of patience and great skill to make a really fine hat

A Nubian man displays his sword at an oasis in the Nubian Desert north of Old Dongola

A Nubian man wearing a white turban smiles broadly at his friend

Traditional Nubian architecture, plasterwork and decoration of the doorways and compounds to houses at Qubbat Selim

Traditional Nubian architecture at a gate in the village of Qubbat Selim, traditional Nubian architecture and plasterwork of a fine archway to a house and its courtyard at Qubbat Selim

A Nubian woman, her face covered by her headscarf to denote her Muslim belief, stands outside the verandah of her home. The style of verandah arch is typical of the Nubian people

A man ploughs his fields with oxen. Situated close to the River Nile, his land is irrigated through a series of ditches and furrows

An old man rides his donkey along a path beside farmland irrigated by the River Nile

Three camel riders silhouetted against an evening sky

In late afternoon light, a camel rider crosses a desert near the ancient pyramids of Meroe, east of the Nile

A fruit stall in the important market town of Shendi on the River Nile, northeast of Khartoum

An over-crowded old Bedford bus travels along the main road from Khartoum to Shendi, a centuries old market town on the River Nile

During the heat of the day, men water their livestock from deep wells near Musawwarat, situated in desert country south of Shendi

As the sun goes down after a blistering day, an old man rides home on his donkey

Women shopping in the market at Omdurman where a large variety of household goods are displayed in roadside stalls

Traders offer a large variety of beads for sale in an open-fronted market stall in Omdurman

The owner of a roadside shop waits for customers on his verandah beside neatly laid-out merchandise. Hanging up is a circular mat with a hole in the middle used by Sudanese women when sitting over

A group of men ride their camels up a main street in Khartoum

A fisherman repairs the sail of his wooden sailing boat, known as mashua, along the waterfront of Kisingitini, a natural harbour on Pate Island

The eyes of a Lamu woman wearing a traditional black Islamic dress and face veil (known locally as buibui). Situated 150 miles north-northeast of Mombasa, Lamu town dates from the 15th century AD

A Swahili man in traditional attire blows the Siwa on the battlements of the Lamu Museum. This unique and hugely heavy ritual horn was used before the 19th century in Pate

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"Islamic Dress: A Journey Through Time and Culture" Step into the enchanting world as we explore its rich history, diversity, and influence. From the bustling streets of Lamu town to the serene landscapes of Egypt and beyond, this captivating collection of images takes us on a visual odyssey. In 1857, an artist captured a man riding a donkey through one of Lamu's narrow streets. The traditional attire he wore reflected his cultural heritage, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship that goes into every garment. Fast forward to the 1870s when Felix Bonfils immortalized a Turkish woman in her fashionable city ensemble - a testament to how Islamic dress evolved with changing times. Moving along our journey, we encounter women and children near Cairo's Kobri el Gezira Bridge in 1898. Their modest yet elegant clothing exemplifies the gracefulness associated with Islamic fashion. Christian Wilhelm Allers' lens transports us further back in time as we witness girls at Philae in Egypt during the same period, their colorful dresses mirroring their vibrant spirits. Venturing southward to Nubia reveals another facet - bright dresses adorned by Nubian women who proudly wear headscarves as symbols of identity and tradition. Meanwhile, Burusho girls return home from gathering fodder for their livestock in Hunza Valley; their attire reflects both functionality and beauty. Embroidery becomes an art form as we witness a man skillfully crafting Swahili hats - each stitch telling stories passed down through generations. In Cairo's bustling streets depicted by Christian Wilhelm Allers once again, we catch glimpses of people going about their daily lives while dressed impeccably according to Islamic customs. Nubian men display not only swords but also pride in their heritage at an oasis; they embody strength intertwined with elegance. And let us not forget the Nubian boatman gracefully steering his felucca, his attire blending seamlessly with the tranquil waters.