The
abaya "cloak" (
colloquially and more commonly, , especially in
Literary Arabic: ; plural , ), sometimes also called an
aba, is a simple, loose over-
garment, essentially a
robe-like dress, worn by some women in parts of the
Muslim world including in
North Africa and the
Arabian Peninsula. Traditional
abayat are black and may be either a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head or a long
caftan. The
abaya covers the whole body except the face, feet, and hands. It can be worn with the
niqab, a face veil covering all but the eyes. Some women also wear long black gloves, so their hands are covered as well.