The original and graceful “Khanh ma om’ scarf

(Cinet)- The “Khanh ma om” scarf (other call the Ma-to-ra scarf) of the Cham women in An Giang province originates from Muslim countries. The original one has the square shape and by the time gone by, it has changed to adapt the fashion style of each period. The “Khanh – ma –om is about 1.5 – 1.6 metres long, 50 centimetres wide and often made of Voan silk, lace or any cloth. Unlike the Muslin Arabic people who love the two colors of black and white, the scarf of the Cham women has various colors adorning with many shell-shaped patterns, flowers, colorful embroidery thread, gold lame or glass-beads along the scarf edge.

The “Khanh ma om” scarf is long enough not only for shading from the sun but also winding around the neck or covering the shoulders. It also can hide the woman’s hair, neck and a part of the chest which can avoid the men’s curious eyes. At home, the Cham women usually wear the plain scarves and when attending the weddings or parties, the splendid scarves are preferred.

The “Khan ma om” scarf is an inseparable thing of the Cham women in An Giang: they wear it every time but sleeping. They adore and are very proud of it.