 Kazakh women wearing kimeshek | |
| Type | Hat |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Kazakhstan, Karakalpakstan (Uzbekistan), and Kyrgyzstan |
| Elechek, Kyrgyz female headwear: traditional knowledge and rituals | |
|---|---|
| Country | Kyrgyzstan |
| Reference | 01985 |
| Region | Asia and the Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2023 (18th session) |
| List | Representative |
| Part of a series on |
| Islamic female dress |
|---|
| Types |
| Practice and law by country |
| Concepts |
| Other |
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]
