Kimeshek

Kimeshek
Kazakh women wearing kimeshek
TypeHat
Place of originKazakhstan, Karakalpakstan (Uzbekistan), and Kyrgyzstan
Elechek, Kyrgyz female headwear: traditional knowledge and rituals
CountryKyrgyzstan
Reference01985
RegionAsia and the Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription2023 (18th session)
ListRepresentative

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]

  1. ^ a b Tursun Gabitov; Dinara Zhanabaeva. "Place of National Women's Clothing Fashion Designs in the Formation of Kazakhstan's Image" (PDF). Al-Farabi Kazakh National University: 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-10-22. Retrieved 2021-05-20. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ Susan Meller (2018). Silk and Cotton: Textiles from the Central Asia that Was. ABRAMS. ISBN 9781683355571. Some Jewish, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and Tajik women wore a wimple-like white headdress called a kimeshek (Kazakh, Kyrgyz) or lachak (Uzbek, Tajik).
  3. ^ Marinika Babanazarova (2010). "Textiles of Qaraqalpaqstan and Their Relationship to Central Asian Traditions and the Legacy of Igor Stravinsky". Textile Society of America Symposium Proceedings. 7. Textile Society of America: 5.