The traditional clothing of Albania (Albanian: Veshjet Tradicionale Shqiptare; Veshjet Kombëtare; Veshjet Popullore or Kostumet Kombëtare) includes more than 200 different varieties of clothing in all Albania and the Albanian-speaking territories and communities (including the Arbëreshë in Italy, Arvanites in Greece and Arbanasi in Croatia). Albania's recorded history of clothing goes back to classical times. It is one of the factors that has differentiated this nation from other European countries, dating back to the Illyrian period.
Almost every cultural and geographical region in Albania has its own specific variety of costume that varies in detail, material, color, shape, and form. Albanian folk dress is often decorated with symbolic elements of Illyrian antique pagan origin, like suns, eagles, moons, stars, and snakes. Fabrics are traditionally made by weaving clothes using looms. To this day, some conservative old men and women mainly from the North wear traditional clothing in their daily lives. Instead, older women from the South usually wear all-black outfits.
Video Albanian national clothing
Parts
Albanian dress consists of the following
Headgear
Men
The following headdresses are in use for men:
- Qeleshe [c?'l???] or plis: a type of hat worn by men in Albania, Kosovo, and the Albanian-speaking parts of Montenegro, Greece and Macedonia. This type of hat is very similar if not identical to the ancient Greek 'liberty' cap called pileus, not only in shape, but obviously in etymology too (Ancient Greek 'pilos', Albanian - 'plis'). In central Albania (Tirana, Durrës, Kavaja) it is cone-shaped, and in North Albania and Kosovo round.
- Albanian hat (French: Chapeau albanois) worn typically during the 15th to 18th centuries and immortalized in Onufri's paintings.
- Qylafë ['cylaf]: a woolen high hat worn in southern Albania.
Women
The following headdresses are in use for women:
- Kapica [ka'pitsa]: a headdress for women.
- Langi, other names include: peshqira, riza, marhamë, pashnik.
- Lëvere [l?'v???]: right shaped headdress.
- Kryqe ['k?yc?]: square shaped headdress.
Pants and upper body covers
- Fustanella [fusta'n??a]: traditional skirt-like garment worn by men.
- Tirq [ti?c]: long pants worn by men.
- Brekusha [b??'ku?a]: for men and women.
- Xhubleta [d?u'bl?ta]: Only worn by women.
- Mbështjellëse- Only worn by women.
Xhamadan
A xhamadan is a traditional vest, which is worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.
Brez
Brez are traditional belts, which are worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.
Çorape
Çorape are traditional socks which are worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.
Opinga
Opinga Albanian pronunciation: [?'pi??a]: (Art sandals), are traditional shoes which are worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.
Maps Albanian national clothing
Gallery
See also
- Culture of Albania
- Albanian dances
- Albanians
- Arbëresh
- Fustanella
- Traditional clothing of Kosovo
- Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival
References
Further reading
- Andromaqi, Gjergj (2004). Albanian Costumes Through the Centuries: Origin, Types, Evolution. Mësonjëtorja. ISBN 978-99943-614-4-1.
- Andromaqi, Gjerjgi (1999). Albanian Folk Costumes. Instituti i Kulturës Popullore, Departamenti Etnologjisë. ISBN 978-99927-654-6-3.
External links
- Albanian costumes at Albanian-Folklore.com
- Albanian folk costumes in early postcards
- Traditional Albanian Costumes Group on Flickr.com
- Infoarkiv: Etnografia e rrezikuar (in Albanian)
Artisan skilled crafts
- Professional Albanian Women Entrepreneurs and Artisans Association
- Albanian Artisans Association Facebook page
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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