Research

While clothing such as the abaya and shayla have become important symbols of national identity, the meaning and significance of these objects is much more complicated in their everyday use by underrepresented communities, including the Baloch in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This policy brief summarizes the findings of an ethnographic study of Baloch women’s lives and clothing practices in the UAE, with an emphasis on Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) and Al Ain. Using qualitative research methods including interviews and participant observation, this study considers the significance of everyday engagements with clothing in both producing and wearing clothes. As a minority population in the Emirates, Baloch women wearing abayas and kandooras nuances dominant narratives around the meaning of these objects. Their participation in clothing production and business highlights economic vulnerabilities and possibilities. This policy brief considers how these findings challenge current narratives of cultural heritage and national clothing practices. I conclude by offering recommendations regarding Cultural Heritage Policy, Social Support Resources, and Archives and Research to broaden narratives and promote understanding of underrepresented populations in the UAE, including Baloch women.

Recommended citation: Han, S. (2025). Clothing, Culture, and Identity: Baloch Women’s Sartorial Practices in the UAE and the Nuance of National Heritage (Policy Paper No. 88). Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research.