Azerbaijani traditional clothing
Azerbaijani traditional clothing is the traditional attire of the Azerbaijani people. It is closely connected to its history, religious culture and national identity.
Costumes and dresses are of great importance in Azerbaijani culture. Azerbaijani style is visible in ornaments of costumes with artistic embroideries in weaving and knitting. In the 17th century, the territory of modern Azerbaijan was of great importance to the silk industry. Silks were produced in the cities Shamakhi, Basqal, Ganja, Shaki, Shusha, and others.
The style of clothes and their colours reflects their wearers' marital status, wealth, and other information.
Men's wear
Outerwear
National outerwear for men consists of a ust koyney or Chepken, Arkhalig, Gaba, Chukha and Kurk.Arkhalig – a long, tight, waist-jacket made of fabrics including silk, satin, cloth, cashmere and velvet, depending on the social status of its owner.Chukha – male humeral outerwear with layers and gathers that is detachable at the waist. It is made of cloth, tirma, and homespun textiles.Kurk – a sheepskin coat reaching down to the anklesA Russian ethnographer writes about Azerbaijani male costume:
Headdresses
The Papakhi was considered a symbol of fortitude, honour and dignity of men on the modern territory of Azerbaijan and losing it was considered as a disgrace. To steal a Papaq was considered as a hostile action against its owner and knocking down a papaq was considered a grave insult. The social dignity of the Papaq's owner could be determined by its shape. Men never took off their papaqs, even during dinner) except before salat. Appearing in public without a headdress was deemed inappropriate.- Papaqs made of lamb-fur or karakul, this was the main headwear for men. They had different forms and local names. According to E.Torchinskaya, there are four types of Azerbaijani papaqs in the State Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg:
- Motal papaq, which was made of long-haired lamb-fur and was conical, was generally worn by the underclass.
- Shish papaq was conical or sharp-ended. According to the name of the material from which it was made, they had a general name – Bukhara papaq, a fur that was brought from Bukhara. It was worn only by representatives of the beys' estate and the wealthy. Such papaqs were common for the elite.
- Dagga papaq was commonly worn in Nukhinsky Uyezd. Its top was made of velvet.Bashlyk, which is worn around the neck, consists of a hood and long, round ends. In winter, men wear a bashlyk made of cloth and wool. Bashlyks made of camel wool are valuable in Shirvan. The lining of a Bashylk is made of colourful silk because the lining is visible when the head is turned. Generally, the bashlyk is accompanied by a yapinji.Arakhchin is worn under other headdresses.
Shoes
Jorabs are woollen socks that are popular in many Caucasian countries including Azerbaijan. City residents wear leather shoes with slip-ons. Boots are widespread among aristocrats.- Charigs are everyday shoes made of leather or rawhide that are worn by villagers.