Sweida pronounced Sweda is a large community in southern Syria where groups of Syrian Druze, Muslims and Christians all reside . Sweida is also the home of the great Syrian nationalist Arab leader Sultan Pasha al Atrash, the Commander General (1925-1927) who led the revolt against the French and played a major role in setting up Jabal al Druze in Syria.

The traditional dresses worn by Druze women of distinction (devout) continue to be the unmistakable jet black full length gathered skirts and blouses or scooped dresses and blouses finished with a crisp thin but heavily starched and ironed rectangle veil which is fashioned around the face and gathered to the back along one shoulder. It is a sign of respect according to one of the leaders of the community.

Cinched in at the waist floral or Damask dresses depicted in old photographs confirm the costume preference up until WW1. In my years growing up in Damascus the beautiful well dressed Druze women and men could be seen in the old Souk purchasing textiles, trousseau, or conducting business with local merchants. They are graceful and stand tall mindful of their impact in the space.

Like all modern cities in Syria not all women dress in the traditional attire but the men have kept up the handsome jet black Shirwal pant which is decorated in black couched cording starting at the side pockets slits and down to the calf. A super crisp starched white shirt, a black belt or cummerbund and the unmistakable polished black leather shoes.

I went to school with many Druze young women that dressed and looked just like any other freshman or sophomore. The Druze prefer to be called Muahidean which means monolithic as they are Muslim but have adopted a few more flexible approaches such as praying just once a day; however a true Druze newborn must have both parents from the Druze faith to be considered a full Druze. There are a multitude of YouTube videos explaining the Druze faith and how the elders see themselves in the diverse country of Syria.