Batulla/Batoola - what is it?

[Sehrysh]

Question for guppies in an Arab country or anyone who may know the answer. When I was in Dubai, I saw some older women wearing a metal “veil” over their face which covered their nose and mouth. I’ve tried to google it and the name I’ve found for this is batoola or batulla. Can someone confirm that this is the correct name and explain what the purpose of the batulla is?

Here’s a picture:

TIA

[NaMaan]

Re: Batulla/Batoola - what is it?

This is first time I am seeing this sort of stuff .

[blackforest_360]

Re: Batulla/Batoola - what is it?

can't answer your question but I saw a documentary about a country in the middle east
and they showed women wearing this, it left me scarred.

[NaMaan]

Re: Batulla/Batoola - what is it?

May be its for women who talk much , but again I am just guessing :@:

[maroush]

Re: Batulla/Batoola - what is it?

Weird.

Is it for solar power?

[Jafri]

Re: Batulla/Batoola - what is it?

Have a couple friends in the UAE, one told me that it is some local Arab tradition there as part of hijab maybe, not specific to Sunni or Shia. Probably like how some say that covering the feet is required as well.

[maroush]

Re: Batulla/Batoola - what is it?

Ok…

In addition to the wearing of the abaya and shayla or hijab, many Qatari women wear the batula. I have been told that it is traditionally worn by married women, but I know it is also worn by young women who either want to remain unmarried or who believe they may never marry. As such it represents a symbol in progress through the stages of life as well as a mark of traditional respectability and family status. The decision to wear it can be personal or induced through decisions in the family. Those which are used in Qatar tend to be more restrictive by being fuller and having smaller eye holes.

Read the rest here…half way down the page.

[Sehrysh]

@maroush

Ok…

Thanks for the article. I still don’t understand whether there is a function justifying the custom. Should I assume it is the middle-eastern or Qatari equivalent of the niqab?

I trying to think up explanation for why it may be worn and initially thought it may be worn over the nose and mouth to “mask” or distort a woman’s voice so that she even had “hijab” of her voice as I know some people believe that a namahrams are not permitted to hear a woman’s voice.

[PyariCgudia]

Re: Batulla/Batoola - what is it?

I saw this when I went to Umrah.

I can't believe that even in Arab countries, people still wear this stuff.

[UZ]

Women do wear these in middle eastern countries; I saw them wearing it. But its not metal or something its made of cloth or some soft stuff. Its made like that because instead of covering your eyes or cover your whole face you can wear that so you can see clearly.

[UZ]

.

[PyariCgudia]

@UZ

Women do wear these in middle eastern countries; I saw them wearing it. But its not metal or something its made of cloth or some soft stuff. Its made like that because instead of covering your eyes or cover your whole face you can wear that so you can see clearly.

Aw, how kind the men are to their women. They constructed the mask so they can see. I mean, we gotta give our mules the ability to see, lest they keep tripping on their long abayas and burqas.

[Faris_Udeen]

Re: Batulla/Batoola - what is it?

Hey i wish i had one of those…

Now this looks cool… imagine what that would look like on my ninja suit… oh yeah Master Shredder in da house

Okay seriously kudos to those guys for sticking to thier tradition.

If i was allowed to i would gladly walk around all day in armour head to toe… and with a sword and bow… :aliyish:

[jalpari90]

@Sehrysh

Thanks for the article. I still don’t understand whether there is a function justifying the custom. Should I assume it is the middle-eastern or Qatari equivalent of the niqab?

I trying to think up explanation for why it may be worn and initially thought it may be worn over the nose and mouth to “mask” or distort a woman’s voice so that she even had “hijab” of her voice as I know some people believe that a namahrams are not permitted to hear a woman’s voice.

Why really? Its their tradition, let it be.

I saw some arab tourists wearing these in Malaysia. The first time i saw, i thought, it was some joke or prank:hehe:

[UZ]

@PyariCgudia

Aw, how kind the men are to their women. They constructed the mask so they can see. I mean, we gotta give our mules the ability to see, lest they keep tripping on their long abayas and burqas.

But we cannot bring any change in their culture so why talk like that? If we are to bring change then we can mock like that. Do you have an ability PCG to go to middle eastern countries and ask their ladies how they are living their lives and bring a change?

[jalpari90]

Re: Batulla/Batoola - what is it?

^True that. Also, most of those women dont feel like they have been singled out. They accept it.

[Sehrysh]

^True that. Also, most of those women dont feel like they have been singled out. They accept it.

My question wasn't intended to single out these women - I just want to understand the functional or social purpose of the batulla.

For example women wearing corsets in the Victorian era tight enough to cause them to faint or Japanese women binding their feet - both were done because of those cultures' standard of beauty.

Is there a similar purpose for the batulla - is it to display or enhance beauty? Is it to protect these women's modesty or is it a symbol of status? I just want to know why. I'm thinking of posting on a Qatari website for an explanation.

[Superbuggg]

Batulla/Batoola/Battoulah - what is it?

I was curious also, having seen an elderly woman wearing one in an Egyptian restaurant in Bangkok! For sure she was the elder of the group. Hers appeared to be actual metal unlike the majority of cloth simulating metal like I've found images of on-line. And she ate with it still on! The few forums I found before this one seem to agree that the Batulla/Batoola/Battoulah is a non-religious mask of respect worn by older women, from Egypt to Syria, though most commented on as having been seen in Qatar, or UAE.

Though the battoulah is quite some exceptional piece of kit - it's not a muzzle, and seems rather a mask of respect. I personally, think that traditions requiring women and girls to cover their hair, face and body as in Islamic wear to be utterly misogynistic! That said, I also believe it's wrong for western countries, as in France, to force Muslim women to expose themselves in ways they feel uncomfortable with - even if it's just their hair! These women and girls have it so set in their minds that they might well feel 'naked' when exposing their hair, face or body, and who're we to insist! I also find the garments worn in say, Muslim Indonesia and Malaysia to be flattering and quite beautiful as most of them are colourful and tropical in design. Whereas the black burqa of the middle east rather signifies repression as it absorbs all light!

[kaka_in_usa]

Re: Batulla/Batoola - what is it?

it is horrible and inhumane. it is like chastity belt , but only for mouth. They should make men wear one too.

i know i am going to hell for saying it but it reminds me of this

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[KayZ]

Re: Batulla/Batoola - what is it?

this is traditional veil and is some soft thin metal, have seen both young and older women in UAE using it. Didnt even know it's name until i read posts in this thread.