Dressing for the Part: Village and City Outfits

In Iraq as in most parts of the world in the 1950s, the average person’s wardrobe was made up of work clothes, play clothes, and special occasion “dress-up” clothes. In addition, the getup someone wore in rural parts was much different from their city duds. These two photos illustrate how the attire changes with the environment. For the studio session, the Atto Family represented their village with traditional dress and headpieces. The family rooftop photo featured more modern dress.

On the right, (1925 Baghdad Studio) Seated are Ghazala George Qas Hanna (with modern light dress) carrying little Raphael Atto, and Amina Roumaya (dressed in the village head piece called the Quchma) carrying Mary Atto. Standing is Hanna Rufa Atto (wearing a classic village head piece called a Shmagh) along with his younger brother, Tobia Rufa Atto (wearing the classic royal era Faisalya/Sedara).

Below, (1952-1953 Baghdad Home Rooftop) Tobia Ruffa Atto and Ghazala George Qas Hanna (hands clasped) with their family of 6 (3 boys + 3 girls) taken on the rooftop of their house in an old Baghdad district of Sabbabegh Al-Alle. In the background grows a classic Baghdadi Nabbug tree (also called a Jujuba Ziziphus tropical tree) with sweet berry fruit.