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EntityQ12549225· pop 11· linked from 42 articles

Kimeshek (, ) or Elechek () is a traditional headgear of married women with children in Kazakhstan, Karakalpakstan (Uzbekistan) and Kyrgyzstan. Kimeshek is also worn by Central Asian Jewish women. Uzbek and Tajik women wear a similar headdress called . 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.

Key facts

Clothing type.name
Kimeshek / Elechek
Clothing type.image_file
Kazakh women.jpg
Clothing type.caption
Kazakh women wearing kimeshek
Clothing type.type
Hat
Clothing type.location
Kazakhstan, Karakalpakstan (Uzbekistan), and Kyrgyzstan
Intangible heritage.ICH
Elechek, Kyrgyz female headwear: traditional knowledge and rituals
Intangible heritage.ID
01985
Intangible heritage.Country
Kyrgyzstan
Intangible heritage.Region
APA
Intangible heritage.Year
2023
Intangible heritage.Session
18th
Intangible heritage.List
Representative

via Wikipedia infobox

~1 min read

Encyclopedic overview

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Kimeshek (, ) or Elechek () is a traditional headgear of married women with children in Kazakhstan, Karakalpakstan (Uzbekistan) and Kyrgyzstan. Kimeshek is also worn by Central Asian Jewish women. Uzbek and Tajik women wear a similar headdress called . 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.

In Karakalpakstan, there are two different types of kimeshek, alike in Kazakhstan, only married women wear kimeshek. A red kimeshek, or , 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 . However, she would keep the red kimeshek. The kimeshek was considered very important; it was taboo to give one away.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Kimeshek” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.