THE CHRISTIAN ANATOLIAN WOMEN AND THE CHRISTIAN MIDDLE EASTERN WOMEN

The Christian Anatolian women and particularly the Armenian women in Asia Minor and the Christian women in the Middle/Near East learned how to design and make their clothes at home. They were no couture schools and ateliers in early, medieval and pre-modern times of Armenia to teach dressmaking. Armenian women from generation to generation, at a very early age, learned from their mothers, aunts and grandmothers the handwork,  handwork ornamentation, lace making, dyeing, weaving, spinning, cutting, fitting and needlework. It was extremely important  for the young Anatolian Armenian and the Christian Middle Eastern girl to learn all this, because, she had to prepare her trousseau which was an integral part of her dowry; an Armenian tradition diligently observed for centuries.  This tradition was common and seriously preserved in many neighboring countries as well,  regardless of the diversity of ethnic origin and religion. Muslim and Christian families until the mid of the 20^th century preserved this tradition and kept on passing it on to their daughters and grand daughters.  In western Europe, except in Greece, such tradition was not en vogue. The trousseau-dowry tradition was maintained and kept alive even by modern and well-to-do Christian and Muslim  families in many parts of Asia Minor, Near and Middle Eastern countries. This tradition is no longer hundred per cent preserved and observed by regional and eastern families which were exposed to European culture and particularly to French and Italian couture. They rather prefer to buy the bride dresses, gowns and outfits and all the feminine apparel from retail stores. But, those who could not afford to do so, kept this tradition quite alive. Trousseau tradition reveals interesting and sometimes alarming facets and aspects of our lives and social values, including the importance of wealth over the importance of culture and education.  Armenian trousseaux were a subject to a lengthy bargain between two families; the family of the bride and the family of the groom. Both families will sit down and begin to argue, agree or disagree on the “contents”, value and the assets of the trousseau, on how many gowns the bride should bring with her, for instance, the family of the groom would become very interested in knowing if the bride had enough dresses and gowns; a dress for church, one or two good dresses for going out, a good dress for  town, a black dress for funerals, a night gown for the wedding night and do not forget the “tour de force” and “piece de resistance”: The wedding gown!! Sometimes, both families will jointly describe  and define the quality, the size and monetary value and  practical use of the bride’s trousseau.  A very good trousseau will attract most suitable grooms. By the same token, is there any kind of a trousseau for men? You bet! Men’s trousseaux vary in importance, size and utility. In ancient times, the groom had to show some financial stability, income, assets and possessions whether in the form of a land, a solid job income, cash, property or even certain required number of cattle, cows, horses, animals, you name it! Funny world we lived in !! Originally, the Armenian trousseau as well as the yesteryears’  trousseaux of Near and Middle Eastern countries was a family bargain, an idea originated by the father of the bride. The size of her trousseau  would compensate for the lack of a physical beauty, social status and pecuniary conditions of the bride. A good trousseau might facilitate the marriage process. To many middle to lower class families, one less child to feed was a big relief. A good trousseau might help the bride’ family to wed their daughter, much easier and much sooner.

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