Chedda is an Algerian traditional wedding dress, specifically in the city of Tlemcen, but also worn in the west of the country, particularly in Oran and Mostaganem.
This city is the capital of Tlemcen Province in north-western Algeria. In addition to leather, carpet, and textile production, the city has developed a large economy based on agriculture and tourism.
One of the most popular traditions in Tlemcen province is the wedding rituals of Tlemcen. The practice begins at the parents' home, where the bride wears a chedda, surrounded by her friends and married female relatives, each wearing her own wedding costume.
The wedding dress called chedda, is designed by the local craftsmen and is worn by brides in Tlemcen for their wedding ceremony. Traditionally the chedda consists of a silk kaftan with gold thread. This dress is considered the most beautiful and expensive attire worn by the bride on her wedding day, but it is also worn by the other women attending the wedding. These jewels include other garments on the bride such as meskia hanging necklaces, djouhar cultured pearls, and kholkhal rings and kholkhal rings around the ankle, in addition to the bracelets. Conical chechias embroidered with gold thread cover the head that also embroidered with gold thread, which is hung with khorsa (earrings that fall from the temples) and large earrings, and they are topped with mendilles de mensoudj, a kind of scarf decorated with seven or nine diadems, including zerroufs, djebels, and other ornaments.
An older woman applies symbolic henna designs to her hands and helps her wear a caftan of embroidered velvet, jewelry, and a conical hat. She is protected from evil spirits by rows of baroque pearls. As she leaves, she is covered with a golden veil of silk. Before the wedding feast takes place, a married woman from the bride's inner circle draws red and silver designs beneath the veil on her cheeks and under her lower lip to purify and protect the bride. The bride takes off her veil, once she has been protected by her caftan and jewels, and is ready to be married.
In this practice, girls are taught the costumes at an early age, and the skills involved in making the precious wedding costumes are passed on from generation to generation. A major role of craftsmanship in perpetuating the creativity and identity of the Tlemcen community is to symbolize the alliance between families and continuity between generations.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/rites-and-craftsmanship-associated-with-the-wedding-costume-tradition-of-tlemcen-00668) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chedda_of_Tlemcen) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlemcen#Culture)