Central Asian clothing explained

In Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, and as well as Afghanistan the tunic and loose trousers ensemble forms part of traditional costume. Men will wear turbans or hats with their tunics and sirwals whilst women will wear scarves or hats.

Lozim and kuylak

Men in Central Asian Uzbekistan traditionally wear the sirwal known as lozim in^[1] which is wide. Over the lozim, women wear dresses known as kuylak which are generally full sleeved and fall to below the knees but some can be long dresses.^[2] A head scarf is traditionally worn over the head which is tied at the back of the neck. Some women also use a second scarf.^[3]

Lozim and chakmon

Men of Uzbekistan wear the lozim with a long robe called the chakmon.^[4]

Izor and kurta

Women in Tajikistan also wear dresses which are long robes called kurta^[5] with sirwal called Tajik: izor^[6] (also referred to as sharovary)^[7] tied at the ankles.^[8] The ankle gathers are tied with a cord.^[9] Head scarfs are also worn.^[10]

Balaq and koynak

The dress of women of Turkmenistan consists of under trousers called balaq, a dress called koynak and a headdress.^[11]

See also

• Clothing in Afghanistan
• Islamic clothing
  • Scythian clothing
  • Tocharian clothing

Notes and References

1. Mary Masayo Doi (2002) Gesture, Gender, Nation: Dance and Social Change in Uzbekistan https://books.google.com/books?id=VfXL5PV4ErQC&dq=uzbekistan+trousers&pg=PA71
2. Lonely Planet, Bradley Mayhew, Mark Elliott, Tom Masters, John Noble (2014) Lonely Planet Central Asia https://books.google.com/books?id=_btEAwAAQBAJ&dq=what+is+the++traditional++dress+of+central+asia&pg=PT967
3. Kamp, Marianne (2006) The New Woman in Uzbekistan: Islam, modernity, and unveiling under communism https://books.google.com/books?id=UtgTCgAAQBAJ&dq=uzbek+lozim+dress&pg=PA226
4. Gabriele Mentges, Lola Shamukhitdinova (2013) Modernity of Tradition: Uzbek Textile Culture Today https://books.google.com/books?id=aUy-AAAAQBAJ&dq=Lozim+trousers&pg=PA139
5. John S. King, John Noble, Andrew Humphreys (1996) Central Asia.: Kasachstan, Usbekistan, Turkmenien, Kirgisien, Tadschikistan. https://books.google.com/books?id=8csuAQAAIAAJ&q=kurta+izor
6. Hiro, Dilip (2009) Inside Central Asia: A Political and Cultural History of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz stan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Iran https://books.google.com/books?id=ZBfv-BSbwJcC&dq=tajikistan+trousers&pg=PT297
7. https://books.google.com/books?id=Y1A8AAAAMAAJ&q=tajikistan+trousers Pavel Luknit︠s︡kiĭ (1954) Soviet Tajikistan
8. https://books.google.com/books?id=yDxpAAAAMAAJ&q=tajikistan+trousers Nurullo Fozilov (2006) Travel Through Tajikistan
9. https://books.google.com/books?id=9XAOwHauG9kC&dq=tajikistan+trousers&pg=PA14 Ming-Ju Sun (2003) Russian Folk Costumes Paper Dolls
10. https://books.google.com/books?id=vx3pRr8Y_AgC&dq=tajikistan+womens+dress&pg=PA67 Abazov, Rafis (2006) Tajikistan
11. Condra, Jill (2013) Encyclopedia of National Dress: Traditional Clothing Around the World https://books.google.com/books?id=lazWAQAAQBAJ&dq=shalwar+kameez+styles&pg=PA570