Although many eastern women say they wear their headdresses and masks for religious reasons, the tradition dates back long before the rise of Islam. Rural populations in southern Iran say the tradition was referenced in the Koran, but its origins seem to go back to the region's nomadic period, when both men and women wore headdresses and masks to protect their faces from the sun and strong desert winds.
Traditional masks of Iranian women
This tradition has survived and today in rural parts of Iran, as well as in Oman, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, you can still see similar masks. Usually in these regions, girls hide their faces from their suitors with a mask until the wedding. Men here no longer wear masks, but women, especially older ones, still honor this tradition.
Traditional masks of Iranian women
Roya - 12 years old, wears a mask whenever she wants.
Traditional masks of Iranian women
Zeinab - about 60 years old, 10 children, 6 of whom died, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.
Traditional masks of Iranian women Ostovar - 55 years old, 8 children, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.Traditional masks of Iranian women Ostovar - 55 years old, 8 children, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.Traditional masks of Iranian women Roya is no longer wearing a mask.Traditional masks of Iranian women Fatema is 50 years old, has 11 children, is a housewife, and wears a mask only to protect her skin.Traditional masks of Iranian women The same Fatemeh without a mask.Traditional masks of Iranian women Ostovar, who was in the first photo. She has three different masks.Traditional masks of Iranian women And this is Ostovar without a mask.Traditional masks of Iranian women Zeinab - about 60 years old, 10 children, 6 of whom died, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.Traditional masks of Iranian women Gohar - 26 years old, two children, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.Traditional masks of Iranian women Zobeiden Ostovar – 30 years old, 5 children, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.Traditional masks of Iranian women Zobeiden Ostovar – 30 years old, 5 children, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.Traditional masks of Iranian women Fatima - 65 years old, 6 children, sells tobacco at the market. Wears a mask for religious reasons.Traditional masks of Iranian women Maskhadi Reisi - 55 years old, 6 children, sells tobacco at the market. Wears a mask for religious reasons.Traditional masks of Iranian women Gohar - 20 years old, 1 child, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.Traditional masks of Iranian women Armaneh - 35 years old, 5 children, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.Traditional masks of Iranian women Alemekh, 40, sells scarves at a street stall.