Traditional Albanian clothing explained

The traditional Albanian clothing includes more than 500 different varieties of clothing in all Albania and the Albanian-speaking territories and communities (including the Arbëreshë in Italy, Arvanites in Greece and Arbanasi in Croatia). Albania's recorded history of clothing goes back to classical times. It is one of the factors that has differentiated this nation from other European countries, dating back to the Illyrian period.

Almost every cultural and geographical region in the country has its own specific variety of costume that varies in detail, material, color, shape, and form. Albanian folk dress is often decorated with symbolic elements of Illyrian antique pagan origin, like suns, eagles, moons, stars, and snakes. Fabrics are traditionally made by weaving clothes using looms. To this day, some conservative old men and women mainly from the North wear traditional clothing in their daily lives. Instead, older women from the South usually wear all-black outfits. Men and boys are usually seen wearing long, white skirts and long socks that are similar to tights.

Parts

Albanian dress consists of the following

Headgear

Men

The following headdresses are in use for men:

Women

The following headdresses are in use for women:

Pants and upper body covers

Xhamadan

See main article: article and Xhamadan. A xhamadan is a traditional vest, which is worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, Albanians in North Macedonia, Albanians in Serbia, Albanians in Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.

Brez

See main article: article and Brez (clothing). Brez are traditional belts, which are worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.

Çorape

See main article: article and Çorape. Çorape are traditional socks which are worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.Çorape are other known as socks. But they were part of traditions.

Opinga

See main article: article and Opinga. Opinga in Albanian pronounced as /ɔˈpiŋɡa/: (Art sandals), are traditional shoes which are worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.

See also

References

  1. Book: de La Curne de Sainte-Palaye, Jean-Baptiste. Dictionnaire historique de l'ancien langage françois. 1875. Champion (T. 01-09). French. 316–.
  2. Book: Anamali, Skënder. Historia e popullit shqiptar në katër vëllime. I. 2002. 300. Botimet Toena. Albanian. 52411919.
  3. Gjergji 2004: S. 191
  4. Gjergji 2004: S. 194
  5. Web site: tirk – Wiktionary. en.wiktionary.org. en. 2017-07-19.
  6. Web site: Traditional Albanian clothing – Nationalclothing.org. forum.nationalclothing.org. en-gb. 2017-07-19.
  7. Web site: dict.cc dictionary :: mbështjellëse :: English-Albanian translation. browse.dict.cc. 2017-07-19.

Further reading