Veiled Rashaida Dancer, Eritrea At a Rashaida wedding, a young woman dances in celebration of her friend's marriage. Surrounded by admiring guests, the girl swirls in circles as the many layers of colorful fabrics she wears, including her richly appliquŽd skirt, enhance her movements. Veiled from the age of five, Rashaida women are required by the law of purdah to cover their faces when they are in public. The mask is considered an expression of female beauty and its elaborate style has remained unchanged for more than 150 years.
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