The Kazakh traditional clothes are distinguished by their practicality that conform to the region's climates and nomadic lifestyle. The traditional Kazakh clothes are made of durable materials such as wool, cottony silk, velvet fabrics and felt, as well as fur, skins and leathers, providing comfort during summer, winter and circumstances like strong winds. The uniqueness of the Kazakh's traditional clothes can be seen through their embroidery, complemented with various decorations such as beads, felt, silver plaques and embroidered patches. The traditional clothings can be categorized into 4 components - headgears, outer garments, footwear and decorations.
Kimeshek is a Kazakh headdress for married women after the birth of their first child. It is made of thin white fabric, which is worn tightly fitting on the head. This headwear consists of two parts which are the bottom and the top part. The bottom part is the Kimeshek, a thin white fabric that covers the user’s body parts such as the chest, shoulders and back. The top part is a turban that is wrapped over the Kimeshek. An interesting part of Kimeshek is that its designs or cuts differ from the Kazakh tribes or clans. The difference can be seen through the details on the head part, length and the ornaments’ character.
Saukele is a unique headgear that is significant to Kazakh wedding clothing. It is worn by the brides and is known as the most expensive element of the Kazakh wedding dress as it is prepared for a girl’s dowry before she reaches the age of marriage. Saukele is a cone-shaped and 70 centimetres high hat, decorated with metal fishnets tops, tiara, pearls, corals, turquoise, gems, small coins, chin decorations and owl feathers on the top end of it. It is also decorated with special pendants named ‘zhaktau’ which are long suspensions attached to both sides of it reaching the bride’s waist level. The production of Saukele is complicated and time-consuming as it can take up to 1 year or more to complete, hence skilled craftsmen have a prominent role in its production.
Takiya is a light summer cap that is commonly worn by young Kazakh women. It is mostly made of velvet, lined with fur and decorated with silver and gold braids. Besides that, the decorations also include owl feathers sewn at the top of it, which plays the role of a talisman, gimp, tassels, gold embroidery and silver coins. The design of Takiya uses minimal pieces of fabric to create hollows that provide airflow on its users' heads during the summer.
Kalpak is a felt hat that consists of many symbolisms worn by Kazakh men and is usually white-coloured with a specific ancient cut. It is a snow-capped mountain hat with four same-sized sides that represent the four elements - air, water, fire and earth. On top of the hat are lines stitched with intersections that represent the sun and life. Besides that, a yarn tassel at the right side of the intersection represents posterity and prosperity. In the Kazakh culture, Kalpak has cultural significance as it depicts various qualities of the Kazakh people such as sincerity, and hospitality, hence it must be respected at all times. There is also another version of the hat that is made with precious decorations that include fabrics and gold embroideries of plant ornaments.
Tymak is a winter headdress worn by Kazakh men. Due to its function as a protective garment during the winter, it is heavily made of animal-based materials for its users’ comfort. Tymak is sewn using the fur of a corsac, fox or marmot together with some fabrics. The characteristics of the headdress can be seen from its high crown, earpieces and a back blade. Besides that, the outer part is covered with black ivy while the upper part is black chintz.
Shapan is a long dressing gown or robe worn by both Kazakh men and women. Although it is not a gender-specific clothing, it is still considered more as a man’s clothing. Shapan is made of different types of fabrics and colours which are mostly the main monochrome and dark colours. Another type of Shapan is known as ‘the Festive Shapan’ which is also a part of the rich Kazakhs clothing. It is sewn from velvet and is decorated with gold embroideries.
Kamzol is a long vest worn by Kazakh women. It is made of bright velvet and embroidered with national ornaments. The women’s Kamzol is quite similar to the men’s except that it is often made without sleeves or with short sleeves and open collar. The length of Kamzol is usually below the hips.
Koilek is a casual dress or shirt-like garment worn by unmarried Kazakh women. It is decorated with national ornaments and the dress’s colour is based on the pastoral region’s surroundings. The older Kazakh women wear loose pleated dresses that cover their whole body. The dresses are made of light or dark-coloured fabrics such as velvet and silk, stand-up collars and complemented with geometrical-pattern embroideries that usually reach the knee level.
Boots are often worn by men and women regardless of the season or climate. During summer, the Kazakhs wear light boots made of thin leather while high boots made of rough leather are worn during winter as protection from the extreme cold. Women’s boots are usually green or red with silk embroideries and small patterned plaques attached to them. The footwear is different according to seasonal changes. During winter, tall and broad-shafted boots are worn over felt stockings. Besides that, there is a difference between the boots for the older and younger Kazakhs. The young Kazakhs wear boots with high heels up to 6 to 8 centimetres, however, the older wear boots with low heels. ‘Ichigi’ or ‘Masi’ is another common type of Kazakh footwear. It is a light boots without heels which fit tightly on the legs. The footwear is supposed to be worn together with leather ‘Kebis’ over them, which has to be put off at the entrance of a house.
Jewellery plays an important part in Kazakh clothing, where the types of jewellery reflect the age, social and marital status of its wearer, although some are typically worn by certain territorial groups. It is strongly associated with spiritual elements and was believed to guard againstevil spirits through the ringing metal jewellery sounds. Jewellery can often be seen attached to the Kazakh clothing such as headwear and footwear. For women, the gold, silver, copper and bronze jewellery are decorated with coral pearls and coloured glass. Besides that, other jewellery like earrings, flat and wrought bracelets and rings are engraved with national ornaments such as flowers with other beautiful patterns.
In the Kazakh culture, rings are one of the accessories that have specific names according to their traditional forms. Besides that, belts are known as the essential accessory for both male and female clothing. It is usually decorated with embroidery and silver badges and is worn over the outer garments like Shapans or trousers.
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