Alter Aeon The Great Library

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Note - as with any topic, researchers should question the reliability
and veracity of these texts.  The library's aim is to preserve
documents, not verify accuracy.

AABN:  37363
Title: a book called 'The Clothing Amongst the Jali People'

The Jali peoples of the southern deserts have became some of the most
resourceful people in all the world. This is reflected in everything from
their funerary customs to their day-to-day dress.

Jali clothing is made from a variety of materials. Camel hair is the most
common. Though coarse, it can be spun into a tough yarn suitable for
blankets, tents, saddle covers and cold-weather clothing. Most clothing is
made from fibers from cotton, amaranth stalks or hemp.  Leather is costly
to produce, and thus is reserved mostly for shoes, belts and straps.

Jali men and women dress much alike. Their primary piece of clothing is the
jubba cloak -- a lightweight sheet of woven plant fibers worn about the
body. It is generally un-dyed, so it can be used as camouflage, with the
wearer ducking down and casting up sand over the outspread cloak. While it
cannot stand close scrutiny, it can effectively hide the wearer against
casual observers.

Beneath the jubba cloak is a worn a loose tunic of lightweight fibers. It
may or may not have sleeves depending on the time of year. Men of
importance may also wear a decorated vest over their tunic.

Loose-fitting pants known as 'pyjama' are worn over the legs. They allow
plentiful airflow during the day to keep cool, but can be tucked into the
shoes for warmth as night. This style of pants has spread across the world,
and the name has spread into common use only slightly altered as 'pajamas'.

A leather belt fitted with cloth or hide pouches is worn around the waist,
called the hajj belt. It can be worn tight or loose depending on the needs
of the wearer. Sometimes colorful sashes of exotic cloth such as silk are
worn instead.

Footwear usually consists of fabric or leather slippers, generally made
from a single piece of material sewn up one side. More elaborate shoes with
curled toes and leather soles are also wore. Boots made from leather may be
worn when riding on camels and horses.

Headwear is the major difference in dress between Jali men and women. Men
may go bare-headed, though they seldom do. They typically wear a cloth
napkin held in place with a headband, called a shora. Less common are
various round, fez-like hats and skullcaps. For more formal occasions, they
may wrap a cloth around their head to form a turban. Women typically wear
veils, scarves and hoods, covering their faces except for the eyes. Men
also wear veils or scarves during sandstorms.