It is common to see a Palestinian dress, thob, with intricate and colorful embroidery on a dark, colorfast background. Traditionally, these dark blues and blacks were created with indigo which is often used for the undertone with overdyes such a madder (red). On this thob you can see indigo through slight blue tones of the black and the distinct areas in which the dye has rubbed off—characteristic of indigo.
The cross-stitch technique used in this dress is called fallahi. It is named after fallaha (woman farmer) and celebrates the women who share their culture, identity, and stories through these stitches. Each village has its own distinct pattern and color combinations, passed on from mother to daughter.
The embroidery’s distinct wine-red color is common to the Jaffa region, as are the patterns like the amulet (protection against evil) and cypress tree (symbolizing eternity and immortality).
