The M'laya is a veil (consists of two pieces of robes that are black and L'a'jar is white) worn by the Constantinian woman for the first time in mourning over the killing of Salih Bey (Governor of East Baylak Constantine - Algeria) around 1792.
The consequences of this event and the origin of the M’laya are explained by H’sen Derdour in his voluminous book Annaba, 25 centuries of daily life and struggles.
He thus recalls that "the Constantinians, who were passionate about his drama and in which everything seemed implausible to them, women, more particularly, did not hesitate to accuse" fate "of the enormity, of the horror of crime. Also “banoutète”, “fkèrète” and “nadabète”, after mournful chants and tears, they gave themselves the mission of pronouncing a mourning which still lasts today:the wearing of a black veil with heavy folds, which envelops the woman from head to toe with an unpleasant chebrella (heel-less savate) as an accessory "(2).
(2) D’après le livre de H’sen Derdour Annaba - 25 siècles de vie quotidienne et de luttes Tome 2 Editions SNED - Alger 1983
During the liberation revolution, the mujahideen used the M'laya to hide, and the women used to deliver messages and weapons to the mujahideen, because the colonizer did not search for the M'laya's wearers.
This outfit was not limited to Constantine women only, but it was also worn by Qalamiyat, Sattaifiyat and Annabiyat ... with a slight difference in some details.
M’laya, its history, its simplicity and its charm are now a thing of the past(with time the Malaya industry declined after the reluctance of women to wear it as a clothing that expresses a certain period of time and that it does not keep pace with the times).
For the nostalgic, don't miss an opportunity to admire a stealthy M'laya on the street for the rare occasion. It will be like watching an unknown comet pass through the sky.
