Traditional masks of Iranian women

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.

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.

Roya - 12 years old, wears a mask whenever she wants.

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.

Ostovar - 55 years old, 8 children, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.

Ostovar - 55 years old, 8 children, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.

Roya is no longer wearing a mask.

Fatema is 50 years old, has 11 children, is a housewife, and wears a mask only to protect her skin.

The same Fatemeh without a mask.

Ostovar, who was in the first photo. She has three different masks.

And this is Ostovar without a mask.

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.

Gohar - 26 years old, two children, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.

Zobeiden Ostovar – 30 years old, 5 children, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.

Zobeiden Ostovar – 30 years old, 5 children, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.

Fatima - 65 years old, 6 children, sells tobacco at the market. Wears a mask for religious reasons.

Maskhadi Reisi - 55 years old, 6 children, sells tobacco at the market. Wears a mask for religious reasons.

Gohar - 20 years old, 1 child, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.

Armaneh - 35 years old, 5 children, housewife. Wears a mask for religious reasons and to protect her skin from the sun.

Alemekh, 40, sells scarves at a street stall.