Dressed in ceremony and symbol of elegance of the Moroccan woman, the caftan adapted as much to the regions as to the times, the result of the creativity of the craftsmen and a heritage that is now being reviewed by Moroccan couturiers. Its appearance dates back to the Merinid dynasty. Also called takchita, it would have been popularized in Andalusia according to some researchers who argue that Ziryab, the famous composer of the nineteenth century, was the first to wear it in this region.
Morocco discovers its first caftans in the eighth century, at the same time as Andalusia and made it an emblematic garment from the eleventh century. At the time, this piece is not only a formal dress, but also a symbol of wealth, since worn in the usual way by wealthy people and nobles.
The caftan was feminized only in the seventeenth century ...
Over the centuries, the caftan has adapted to the different cultures present in Morocco. Today, there are four traditional versions, each specific to a specific region. The caftan chamali, fassi, meknassi and rbati. But where did the caftan originally come from? The versions diverge.
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For some, it would be derived from the costumes of the Ottoman Empire, others think it is a reinterpretation of the Roman draperies whose similarities are recognized in the traditional haik for example.
Originally worn by men, the caftan was feminized only in the seventeenth century. In the nineteenth century, when Morocco underwent a significant economic expansion, the caftan flirts for the first time with the bracart of Lyons or the silks imported from China.
A field of artistic expression, the caftan became indissociable from embroideries in gold thread of Fez, from the more floral and multicolored ones of Tetouan or even geometrical variations in silk thread originating in Rabat. Sfifa, kitane, m'ramma, darss are the key words of this unique cultural mix.
.......And continues to change to the rhythm of the evolutions of the woman
If this dress evolved, especially during the twentieth century, it is because his client has also changed. The Moroccan woman is becoming more and more demanding, since she has grown up in the culture and tradition of the caftan.
Sometimes we almost want to say that every woman is able to create her own caftan Because the possibilities are endless to do it, Different fabrics, ornaments and cuts are now offered to her, amodern woman demands more and more tailor-made allowing to highlight the feminine silhouette in all its elegance.
The caftan remains a symbol of prestige above all
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