By the way, burka is never being worn by women-it's a a kind of cloack made of sheep fur, and is worn only by men-not only muslims, but Orthodox Cassacs as well. The piece of cloth muslim women wear is called paranjah or chadra (the letter is a light form of the former). http://encarta.msn.com/media_701508866/Afghan_Women_Shrouded_in_Burkas.html?partner=orp
Afghan Women Shrouded in Burkas
These Afghan women in Herât, northwestern Afghanistan, are wearing full-length veils called burkas. Wearing the burka is part of the ancient custom of purdah, which requires the concealment of women from men. Purdah was revived in recent times by Islamic fundamentalist movements such as the Taliban, which held power in Afghanistan from 1996 until late 2001.
Panos Pictures/Jeremy Hartley
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Afghanistan; Clothing
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About Burkas etc.
Here I have to explain-I didn't know the English word Burka. In Caucases region this word means exactly what I'm saying-a men's garmet, kind of a coat. This word is well known in Russia, and Russian Cossacs wear it, too. The stuff these Afghan women are wearing is called Paranjah in Central Asia-and this word is well known in Russia, as well. And there is Chadrah-a kind of women's garment, worn in Mid-East and Persia, a lighter version of Paranjah. This word is lesss known in Russia, but also is. Russian-English on-line dictionary on yandex.rugives the translations you could've seen in my links. Hope, now it's ckear, and I know one more English word.