Reenactment of the biblical story of Ruth the Moabitess, showing Bethlehem women in traditional headdresses dancing at a wedding, c.1934-1947

This is a digital reproduction of an image held within the Library of Congress.

The scene is intended as a reenactment and exists as part of a series intended to depict the old testament book of Ruth. The women pictured are wearing traditional Bethlehem clothing including a bridal dress (malak) with embroidered chest panel, jacket (taqsireh) and cone-shaped headdress (shatweh). This traditional Bethlehem headdress is worn by married women in Bethlehem and is covered with rows of coins, beads and coral, to symbolise family wealth.

The image is part of the Bethlehem Women collection within the Library of Congress project of the Planet Bethlehem Archive.