Kimeshek (Kazakh: кимешек, Karakalpak: кимешек) or Elechek (Kyrgyz: элечек) is a traditional headgear of married women with children in Kazakhstan,[1]Karakalpakstan (Uzbekistan) and Kyrgyzstan. Kimeshek is also worn by Central Asian Jewish women. Uzbek and Tajik women wear a similar headdress called lachak.[2] Kimeshek is made of white cloth, and the edge is full of patterns. Kimeshek might have different designs and colors based on the wearer's social status, age, and family.[1]
In Karakalpakstan, there are two different types of kimeshek, alike in Kazakhstan, only married women wear kimeshek. A red kimeshek, or qızıl kiymeshek, was worn by a younger married woman. A girl preparing for marriage would make the kimeshek herself. As the woman grew older, she would instead wear a white aq kiymeshek. However, she would keep the red kimeshek. The kimeshek was considered very important; it was taboo to give one away.[3]
^Susan Meller (2018). Silk and Cotton: Textiles from the Central Asia that Was. ABRAMS. ISBN9781683355571. Some Jewish, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and Tajik women wore a wimple-like white headdress called a kimeshek (Kazakh, Kyrgyz) or lachak (Uzbek, Tajik).