Maliya wearing the Ha’ik

by lamia tadjine

The ha’ik is an important symbol of Algerian liberation for me, as it was used throughout the war of independence in Algeria to resist French occupation and influence. Veiled Algerian women became a symbol of dissent against French-imposed Western traditions and unveiling. Even women who had never worn the ha’ik began covering to assert their nationalism, rejecting their attempted westernising by the French administration.

The ha’ik created a boundary where there was no engagement with, or acknowledgement of France’s presence in Algeria. Under French colonialism the women of Algeria manipulated the veil, the connotations the French associated with the veil and weaponised their unassuming nature for Algeria’s liberation.

The ha’ik became an active form for concealing weapons through French checkpoints around Algiers during the height of the liberation movement. Women wearing the ha’ik would hide guns under their veils, and would effortlessly walk past French soldiers with no suspicion.