The Daraa and Melhfa: Sahrawi Traditional Dress of Morocco's South
The Daraa: A Garment of Identity
The daraa is the signature dress of Sahrawi men and one of the most cherished elements of Hassaniya culture. A soft, generously cut garment roughly ten meters in fabric, it traces back hundreds of years to the early days of trans-Saharan trade in the 7th and 8th centuries.
Loose and flowing, the daraa has wide openings on each side and is usually seen in blue or white, often finished with colourful decorative touches. Its airy design keeps the wearer cool under the desert sun while projecting dignity and tradition.
Many Daraas for Many Occasions
There is not one daraa but several, each suited to its moment. The Belman daraa is rare and costly, reserved for weddings and special celebrations, while the Bakha is a striking two-sided version showing a different colour on each face.
For everyday work in the heat, men reach for the Shikka, a thinner, lighter daraa made for movement and comfort. This range of styles shows how a single garment adapts to ceremony, labour, and the rhythms of Saharan life.
The Melhfa: Color and Femininity
Sahrawi women wear the melhfa, a single long piece of fabric, typically about four meters long and a meter and a half wide, wrapped gracefully around the body. Worn daily by women of all ages and backgrounds, it is regarded as a sign of femininity and beauty.
Its brightly coloured material covers the wearer from head to toe, offering protection from the harsh sun while remaining loose, practical, and comfortable. Just as other Moroccan regions have their own dress, the melhfa marks the unmistakable elegance of the Saharan south.
Dress as Living Heritage
For the Sahrawi, the daraa and melhfa are far more than clothing. They are worn at weddings, moussems, and ordinary days alike, carrying identity and belonging in their folds.
These garments remain popular among Sahara inhabitants today, a daily, visible celebration of heritage. In a modern world of changing fashions, the daraa and melhfa endure as proud emblems of Morocco's desert culture.
Frequently asked
What is the daraa?
The daraa is the traditional loose, flowing dress worn by Sahrawi men, usually in blue or white, considered a key part of Hassaniya cultural identity.
What is the melhfa?
The melhfa is a single long piece of brightly coloured fabric, about four meters long, that Sahrawi women wrap around the body as everyday dress and a symbol of femininity.
Are there different types of daraa?
Yes. The Belman is worn for weddings, the Bakha is a two-sided coloured version, and the lighter Shikka is worn for daily activities in hot weather.