As Muslims await the first sighting of the Eid Al-Fitr crescent moon, Algerian women are quietly (or loudly, depending on who you ask) preparing for the holiday through generational beauty rituals. Amongst the chorus of jewellery and laughter lies years of tradition that have been passed on through grandmothers, mothers, and daughters.
The night before Eid, some Algerian women wrap their hair in what’s called a kardoun – a cotton ribbon meant to straighten and protect the hair while keeping it in place. After brushing the hair, the ribbon is tightly fastened around the hair from root to tip and is left overnight, revealing a smoother, straighter texture once loosened. The kardoun, which has made a comeback in recent years, is often celebrated as a marker of identity and pride, and remains a cherished Algerian beauty ritual that has stood the test of time.
Likewise, henna art is almost an inviolable ritual for Algerian women, taking on many forms. Henna can be pressed into the palm, stained at the fingertips, or can look like a traditional floral pattern across the back of the hand. Some women also draw on their ancestral roots by incorporating Indigenous Amazigh symbolism into their designs.
When Eid finally arrives, Muslims are encouraged to dress up in their finest attire– and for Algerians, donning traditional garments like the djellaba is the best way to celebrate and honour a spiritual metamorphosis.
This Eid, three Algerian women share what the holiday’s preparation means to them.
Amira Ouadani
“My favourite part about an Algerian Eid morning is waking up to the Eid takbeer playing in the house before we head to prayer. As Algerian women, getting ready for Eid is special because we get to wear our best djellabas or abayas and take pride in our traditions. When we come back home, we play Abdelkarim Dali’s ‘Saha Aidkoum,’ wish everyone Eid Mubarak, and sit together with coffee and traditional sweets like tcharek msaker. For me, Eid is one of the moments where my culture and faith mesh and I love that.”
-Amira
Gigi A.
“Getting ready for Eid as an Algerian woman is a fun and special time, especially when shared with cousins and family back home. It marks a celebratory time of reflection of the month of Ramadan and a feeling of gratitude for the things that we have. As an Algerian woman, getting ready means putting on your best fit, but not just any fit, one that embraces our roots and makes us feel like the queens we are.”
-Gigi
Aicha M.
“I always feel beautiful on Eid. I always look forward to putting on henna and seeing how other women from Algeria celebrate their beauty and background. I know it’s about more than dressing nice and feeling fancy, but I believe that coming out of Ramadan with a new perspective shows on your face, and I think that’s beautiful in itself.”
-Aicha
How do you celebrate?