The Armenian national costume is a real chronicle from which you can see and read the history of the people. The material, cut, and pattern on the clothes will tell us a lot. With the help of a costume you can learn about the social, religious, climatic, and also geographical conditions in which people lived. A folk costume can tell us about the lifestyle and history of its owners.
The Armenian nation dates back to the 9th century and has its roots in the Urartian kingdom. During its historical existence, it was attacked more than once. Wars were followed by periods of cultural flourishing. Traditions were born. There was a mutual exchange with the peoples with whom it was necessary to interact during persecution. Among them were Persians, Arabs, Greeks and representatives of other nationalities who enriched the Armenian culture.
All these historical vicissitudes influenced the features of the national costume. And the current generation carefully preserves the traditional national outfit. Let's look at it together.
Woman suit
The Armenian women's costume is called “Taraz” and consists of several mandatory elements, which are clearly visible in the photo. The costume may have some differences for residents of different regions.
Required elements
Shirt - halav
Regardless of place of residence, women's attire included a shirt. It was white in the western territory and red in the east. The style is decorated with long wedges on the sides. There must be a long straight sleeve. The neck of the shirt had a longitudinal cutout, which was decorated with embroidery.
Kaftan - arhaluk
Over the shirt they wore a long dress or a bright caftan with a cutout on the chest and slits on the sides.
It is secured at the waist with a clasp. Usually bright colors are chosen for arhaluk. It comes in yellow, purple, green and red shades.
Bloomers - pohan
An Armenian woman's costume necessarily included pants. The coolness of the mountains required additional insulation, so such products were not considered only for men. Women sewed red trousers for themselves, which were decorated with ruffles on the sides. The bottom of the trouser legs was additionally decorated with gold embroidery.
Apron - gong
Some costumes had one more feature - an apron. It was worn mainly by women from the western regions. The apron was tied with a thin belt, which was decorated with embroidery, which had a semantic meaning. The inscription-amulet “for good health” was embroidered on the belt with bright braid.
Festive outfit
Festive dress - mintana
On holidays, Armenian women dressed up in dresses instead of arkhaluk. Depending on material wealth, they could be made of silk or cotton fabric.
The dress's silhouette resembles an archaluk, but there are no slits on the sides.The sleeves of the clothes are decorated with braid and a button - clasp.
In the western regions women's clothing is more varied. They wore dresses called juppa, khrkha, antifa, hatifa. The difference between these dresses is the cut and composition of the fabric. The detail that unites them is the flared sleeves.
Belt (scarf)
The solemnity and festivity of the dress was further emphasized. For this A belt must be tied over the dress or arhaluk. It was quite wide, made of silk or wool.
Reference. Particularly wealthy ladies wore gold or silver belts.
Outerwear
Bedspread (coat)
When going outside, it was mandatory to wrap yourself in a blanket to hide your entire figure. It was woven from thin wool yarn.
Married women preferred to wear blue, while girls chose a white bedspread.
In cold weather, women wore coats. It was made of red velvet, trimmed with marten or fox fur.
Men's suit
Men's national attire is multi-layered. This became his specialty. And also the clothing had regional characteristics. Therefore, by their appearance, residents immediately understood where the person who appeared in their area came from.
In the eastern regions
Armenian men living in the east of the country made up their costume from such details.
Shirt - cap
The product was sewn made of cotton or silk fabric. A feature of the cut was a low collar.
Bloomers - shalwar
National Armenian trousers were blue and were also made of wool or cotton material. They were belted at the top with a thin ribbon, decorated with tassels at the ends.
Arkhaluk
In the east it was a small caftan that was worn over a shirt.Fastens with buttons or hooks along the entire length. Sewn from cotton or silk fabric.
Chukha (Circassian)
The costume was completed with a chukha. This is a woolen Circassian coat, which was thrown over the arkhaluk. The length of the Circassian coat should be below the knee. Long sleeves that fold down are a must.
A belt has become a traditional accessory. They were belted with a leather or silver belt.
In the western regions
The wardrobe of the men of western Armenia was also composed of traditional pieces that bore a general resemblance to the clothing of the eastern regions. However, the West adopted its own traditions.
Shirt
The shirt was the usual basis of the costume. But along with cotton and silk, woolen shirts were worn here.
Bloomers - vartik
Pants were worn differently in the West. This affected their cut. The style of the pants was tapered at the bottom. The trouser legs were wrapped in fabric from the ankle to the knee.
Kaftan - Elek
Western Armenians wore not a short, but a full-fledged caftan instead of an arkhaluk.
Jacket - tank
For the costume to be completely complete, an Armenian living in the west of the country must wear a bachcon. This is a jacket that is worn over the Christmas tree and tied in several layers on the stomach with a wide belt of fabric.
Belt
The men girded themselves thoroughly. To do this, they did not need a belt, but a large piece of fabric. It was wrapped around the waist, and tobacco, coins and knives were hidden in the fabric folds.
Reference. During cold weather, men wore fur vests made from goat skins.
Headdress as part of the national costume
Female
Eastern regions
Women of the eastern region wear a small cap, which is decorated with a ribbon and a flower pattern on the front. The front side is decorated with coins.
Then a white scarf is tied to cover the neck. A scarlet scarf was tied on top of the white one.
Western regions
Features of the headdresses of Western Armenians were wooden headbands. Women could choose different headbands for themselves.
- Cats. This headband is wrapped in velvet, and the sky, stars, and sun are embroidered on it.
- Wards. The embroidery depicts the Garden of Eden, birds, flowers. This headband is worn over a red cap decorated with a tassel. A large button is attached to the sides of the ward. And along the forehead there is a ribbon with rows of golden coins.
Reference. Unmarried girls stood out with their hair: they braided a large number of braids.
Men's hats
Men's hats were also quite varied. Armenians wore from fur astrakhan hats to wool knitted items.
- In the east of Armenia, cone-shaped hats dominated. The top was decorated with red silk.
- Western Armenians preferred hemispherical hats. Preferably red shades. A scarf was tied over these hats, which was previously twisted into a rope.
Shoes
The most common shoes among Armenian men and women were leather bast shoes "three". This shoe features pointed toes. They had lacing that had to be long enough to wrap around the shin. Made from rough cattle leather.
Women's shoes were yellow, green and red. Men wore "three" made of black or red leather.
Today, the national costume is not forgotten by the modern generation. It is used during holidays, elements of folk clothing are used in modern products.
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