Jibbah, Sudan, 1898

Sudanese Mahdist cloth smock reputedly collected after the Battle of Omdurman, 2nd Sudan War (1896-1899), 1898.

The jibbah was worn by many of the Sudanese soldiers fighting under the banner of the Mahdi and his successors. The colourful patches were initially added to simple designs of civilian smock by the Mahdist Ansar (helpers) as symbolic representations of poverty and virtue. As the manufacture of these garments became more organised to meet demand, so more uniformity was introduced, with the square or rectangular patches on later Ansar jibbehs followed broadly symmetrical designs. Despite their symbolism, the Mahdist garments could vary greatly in quality and those that have survived, as either souvenirs or trophies, tend to be of superior manufacture.

The jibbah would have usually been worn with cotton trousers and a turban or skull cap.