DescriptionThe woman wears the face veil (burqaʿ) and embroidered dress (thobe) associated with Bir Saba in the Al Naqab region of southern Palestine. The face veil is adorned with coins suspended from an embroidered forehead band, reflecting family lineage, social status, and wealth. The Bir Saba thobe is distinguished by its oversized cut, which provided both modesty and ventilation in the desert climate. Its generous proportions allowed air to circulate around the body, demonstrating how Palestinian dress traditions were adapted to local environmental conditions. The model's black eyeliner may reference the historical use of kohl, a dark eye cosmetic traditionally worn by Bedouin women and men for both aesthetic and practical purposes, including reducing glare from the desert sun and protecting the eyes from dust. This photograph is part of a two-part set. Its companion photograph is cataloged as object no. 2022.153a. Authored by Wafa Ghnaim