Tarbouch
A stiff, brimless cap of red felt with a tassel; its name in German, Fes or Fez, goes back to the Moroccan city of Fez.
What it is
The tarbouch is a stiff, brimless headdress of red felt with a tassel. Harrell’s 1966 dictionary of Moroccan Arabic translates terbuš as fez.
Where it comes from
The German word Fes (also spelled Fez) came via the Turkish fes from the Moroccan city of Fez, the original place where this headdress was made; it reached German in the 19th century through travel writing.
How it is made
For the felt, the craftsman cleans natural wool, washes and dries it, adds black soap and works it between his hands until it reaches the desired size. In Marrakesh this felt is made into tarbouches, but also slippers, bags and saddle blankets.
When
Before the festival of breaking the fast in 2026, the djellaba, gandoura, babouches and the tarbouch fassi were among the most sought-after items in the medina of Fez. A seller of headwear describes the tarbouch fassi as part of official dress, with a white djellaba and yellow babouches.
At a glance
- Darija
- terbuš, plural trabeš
Where it comes from
At home throughout the country, with no place of origin named by a source.
When you come across it
Goes with it
More from Clothing
Pass it on
As a link, by WhatsApp or email.
Last checked on 27 Oct 2026. 4 sources, 0 of them primary (authority, UNESCO, operator).