The colors draw the eye. Salima Ahmed Tirr, a young Somali woman who has been in the country for two years, tries on head scarves with friends at the Mogadishu Store on Lisbon Street in Lewiston.

“I have about 150 of the scarves,” Tirr said. “I like bright colors and am always looking for something new.” Other women also try on coverings as the afternoon sunlight streams into the store, casting a glow on the colorful garments.

Said Mohamud, owner of the store that sells African and Middle Eastern goods, said a woman’s appearance is very important in Somali and African culture. It is a sign of propriety. “A woman that looks attractive is respected because it shows that she can be trusted and that she is clean.”

He further explained that the religious side of the woman’s dress covering the entire body is a show of respect for God. The practical side is that Africa is very hot, dusty and windy, so the clothing serves as a protection from the elements. On the cultural side of the attire, the woman must be completely covered in public.

In African culture, color is important, and a woman’s clothing is considered part of her beauty, but things are changing for schoolage girls, Mohamud said. Muslim girls who attend American schools are slowly leaving traditions behind, he said. They want to dress like their U.S. friends, eat American food and wear Nike shoes.

Changes can vary from family to family; some remain conservative while others are changing their ways. Those who choose to be progressive are not pressured to conform, said Mohamud. As time goes by, more young women are deciding whether to hold on to their traditions or adopt a new culture.

One thing remains: the culture of women shopping to enhance their natural beauty. This translates into any language.