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Comments

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  Alaa eddine SAGID September 11, 2011 at 1:59pm

  Well you got it right with the translation.

   

  Actually in arabic hilal means the beginning of a lunar month, for it is mandatory to see the new crescent to be able to set the exact date (whether the month is 29 or 30 days..i.e. complete)

   

  Shawwal is the month that comes right after ramadan, so when we say "hilal shawwal" it means that ramadan is over (fasting finished) and tomorrow is the first day of the month of shawwal, wich is the "eid" or the big celebration of the end of ramadan.

   

  This pendant might have been originally worn during the celebration from wich he gained its name.

   

  The floral design and the bales are reminescent of india, wich is not a big surprise as many many yemenis went to india during the mughal time and for trade and eventually came back with huge fortunes and in hadramaout and wadi doan we can see some outstanding indoislamic architecture
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  Patricia Deany September 11, 2011 at 3:09pm

  India has such a huge presence in Middle Eastern and Central Asian design, particularly Iranian and UZbek.
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  Ann Porteus September 11, 2011 at 11:27pm

  Oh Thank you so much for taking time to share your knowledge with me. I have seen the wonderful architecture in Shibam and Seiyun and shared the eid celebrations with friends in Sanaa. The following year I shared Eid with other friends in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. The hospitality and generosity of people who share the Islamic world is the best. Wonderful memories of friends now living in very difficult circumstances following changes in the political situations in their countries.
  Now this piece as well as another similar one in my collection have added meaning with a happy history for me. Yemen remains my favorite country for travel.
  Have a wonderful week, ann