The fiery Lezginka is a dance known to everyone. What do we know about the Lezgins themselves, their national clothes and traditions?
Lezgin national costume
Lezgins are a people inhabiting the territories of the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan, and Dagestan. They have their own distinctive traditions, customs and culture, different from neighboring peoples. A national costume is not just clothing, but a material embodiment of cultural values, where each element has its own meaning and meaning.
Story
The main trends in costume are details common to the peoples of the Caucasus and Azerbaijan:
- Pea coats and white shirts for men;
- Long, loose-fitting dresses for women;
- Multi-layered outfit and hats.
Initially, the national costume of Lezgin women consisted of a long shirt and trousers, which coquettishly peeked out from under the hem. The shirt had long sleeves and a stand-up collar and was belted at the waist.
In the 19th century, dresses appeared in the wardrobe. Young girls wore bright colors, while older girls preferred dark ones.
The formation of men's traditional attire was influenced by the life and lifestyle of the Lezgins. For the most part, men were engaged in cattle breeding, farming and hunting. This was reflected in the clothes: a long pea coat made of thick fabric, comfortable shoes and a hat that protected the head from the cold mountain winds.
Men's and women's national costumes today
Despite the passing centuries, the traditions of the national costume are alive in Lezgin families. Outfits are worn for holidays and celebrations, and the canons of their making are passed on from generation to generation.
Woman suit
Lezginki wore bulushki - traditional loose-fitting dresses with wide sleeves. They were embroidered with bright patterns, beads and coins. It was believed that this drives away evil spirits. A chutkha cap was put on the head, under which the hair was hidden. Embroidered scarves were worn on top. Harem pants are required under the dress, even if they are not visible under the skirt.
Knitted socks are worn on the feet, over which shoes made of thin rawhide are worn. This protects your feet from cold and dampness. Of course, national women's clothing is an extravaganza of color: green, yellow, orange and blue colors combined with the sparkle and ringing of numerous decorations.
Men's suit
Lezgin men dressed more modestly, in traditional Caucasian beshmets - special cloth caftans in dark colors. Special pencil cases with gunpowder were placed on the chest for the convenience of loading guns while galloping. Men's clothing had a loose cut at the shoulders so as not to interfere with the fight. Under the caftan they wore a white shirt and thick cloth trousers.
In winter, they additionally wore a sheepskin hat. Elegant holiday costumes are decorated with braid, which is used to make patterns on the chest and back.Festive Circassian clothing, worn only for big celebrations, was intended to show the status and wealth of a man. In addition, the outfit was complemented by an embroidered belt with a dagger in a patterned sheath.
What materials are they sewn from, features
The modern women's Lezginka suit is made from thin, flowing fabrics: silk, satin, chiffon. For men's clothing, black, red or white cloth or suit fabric is traditionally used. Dance and stage outfits are made from more elastic materials so as not to restrict the dancer’s movements.
Now Lezgin women are increasingly choosing fitted outfits that emphasize their figure, leaving looser dresses of a traditional cut to the elderly. At the same time, the headdress remains an invariable attribute of Lezgin women, as representatives of the Muslim peoples of the Caucasus.