Ruth the Moabitess and others, 1925-1946

Title: Ruth the Moabitess and others, 1925-1946
Description: This is a digital reproduction of an image held within the Library of Congress. The image depicts a woman playing the part of Naomi from the old testament book of Ruth. She is wearing traditional Bethlehem clothing including a bridal dress (malak) with an embroidered chest panel, a short jacket (taqsireh) and headscarf. The headdress is especially recognisable to the Bethlehem region and is otherwise known as the 'shatweh'. The shatweh is a headdress worn by married women to signify family wealth. Hidden underneath the cloth are rows of coral, coins and beads sewn into the cone-shaped headdress. This image exists as part of a wider series intended to depict the Old Testament book of Ruth.
Identifier: pb_lc_bwo_7240727
Subject: Bethlehem; Palestine; Palestinian Diaspora; Bethlehem Women collection; Shatweh; Biblical gaze; Bethlehem rugs; Bethlehem embroidery
References: https://www.loc.gov/item/mpc2005008403/PP/
License: CC BY 4.0
Contributor: G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection
Type: 1 negative : safety film ; 4 x 5 in.
Source: Library of Congress, Matson Collection
Spatial Coverage: 31.7053996/ 35.1936877
Rights Holder: Library of Congress. No known restrictions on publication.
Date (approximate): c.1925-1946