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HISTORY
THE CHRISTIAN ANATOLIAN WOMEN AND THE CHRISTIAN
MIDDLE EASTERN WOMEN:
DRESSES AND TROUSSEAU.
THE TROUSSEAU
AS AN ETHNIC TRADITION.
The Christian
Anatolian women and particularly the Armenian women in Asia Minor
and the Christian women in the Middle/Near East learned how to
design and make their clothes at home. They were no couture schools and ateliers
in early, medieval and pre-modern times of Armenia to teach dressmaking.
Armenian women from generation to generation, at a very early age, learned from
their mothers, aunts and grandmothers the handwork, handwork ornamentation,
lace making, dyeing, weaving, spinning, cutting, fitting and
needlework.
It was extremely important for the young Anatolian Armenian and the
Christian Middle Eastern girl to learn all this, because, she had to prepare
her trousseau which was an integral part of her dowry; an Armenian
tradition diligently observed for centuries. This tradition was common and
seriously preserved in many neighboring countries as well, regardless of the
diversity of ethnic origin and religion. Muslim and Christian
families until the mid of the 20th century preserved this tradition
and kept on passing it on to their daughters and grand daughters. In western
Europe, except in Greece, such tradition was not en vogue. The
trousseau-dowry tradition was maintained and kept alive even by modern and
well-to-do Christian and Muslim families in many parts of Asia
Minor, Near and Middle Eastern countries. This tradition is no longer
hundred per cent preserved and observed by regional and eastern families which
were exposed to European culture and particularly to French and
Italian couture. They rather prefer to buy the bride dresses, gowns and outfits
and all the
feminine apparel from retail stores. But, those who could not afford to do so,
kept this tradition quite alive.
p19th
century man suit, Zeitoun.
Neckpiece made by orphans in Cilicia, circa 1,896.
q19th
century woman winter dress. Artsah
Trousseau
tradition reveals interesting and sometimes alarming facets and aspects of our
lives and social values,
including the importance of wealth over the importance
of culture and education. Armenian trousseaux were a subject to a
lengthy bargain between two families; the family of the bride and the family of
the groom. Both families will sit down and begin to argue, agree or disagree on
the “contents”, value and the assets of the trousseau, on how many gowns the
bride should bring with her, for
instance,
the family of the groom would become very interested in knowing if the bride had
enough dresses and gowns;
a dress for church, one or two good dresses for going out, a good dress for
town, a black dress for funerals, a night gown for the wedding night and do not
forget the “tour de force” and “piece de resistance”: The wedding gown!! Sometimes, both
families will jointly describe and define the quality, the size and monetary
value and practical use of the bride’s trousseau. A very good trousseau will
attract most suitable grooms. By the same token, is there any kind of a
trousseau for men? You bet! Men’s trousseaux vary in importance, size and
utility. In ancient times, the groom had to show some financial stability,
income, assets and possessions whether in the form of a land, a solid job
income, cash, property or even certain required number of cattle, cows, horses,
animals, you name it! Funny world we lived in !!
19th
century boy suit, Sasoon
w
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