Women's headdress

Karakalpaks

Amu Darya delta

late 19th - early 20th century

Cloth, wool, cotton textile, silk threads

Embroidery

РЭМ 7128-87

A kimeshek is a young woman's headdress. A woman embroidered her first kimeshek, the "kyzyl kimeshek," after her wedding, in her father's house, and wore it in her husband's village; it was a symbol of marriage. The name "kyzyl kimeshek" derives from the red color of its front part, which was made of cloth. Karakalpaks traditionally used red fabrics for girls and young women's clothing. According to their beliefs, red imparted vitality. Certain ornaments, such as crosses and "muyiz" (horns), embroidered on the headdress, also served a magical protective function. The back of the kimeshek was made of an expensive semi-silk fabric with an abr pattern, produced in Uzbek origin, indicating the high status of this item, marking an important period in a woman's life as the continuer of her family line. Made by the owner's mother.

Costume, women's, Costume, headdress