ALL
camel wool
ICH Elements 2
-
Chapan
The Kyrgyz people’s clothes are characterized by many peculiar features typical of the nomads’ clothes. The climate of a high-mountainous country with its sharp fluctuations in the temperature, which is quite severe in some places, leaves a big imprint on the character of the Kyrgyz clothes. This causes the need for various types of warm clothing, which are sometimes even used in the summer season. The perfect example of such clothes is chapan – a long coat similar to a dressing gown, can be both with and without a standing collar, unbuttoned, like most of the Kyrgyz people’s clothes. Chapan is worn by both men and women. Chapan is sewn on a wadding or a camel wool with a cotton lining and is most often quilted. Women's chapans are sewn from the best fabric, which is significantly lighter. They are also often decorated with silver jewellery. There are several variants of this clothing, depending on the region: naigut chapan - a wide tunic-shaped robe, sleeves with a gusset, sewn at a straight angle; kaptama chapan - loose fit, sewn-in sleeves with a rounded armhole; and a straight, narrow chapan with side slits. The hem and sleeves are usually sheathed with a colourful lining. In the south, it is customary to gird the chapan with a large scarf folded diagonally (charchy).
Kyrgyzstan -
Felt - stitching
Felt serves other purposes than as a covering for the ger. It is also embroidered ornately with a technique called shirekh, using thread made from camel wool, to make olbog or cushions and uud or the felt door for a ger. Usually, nevtgelzekh or "sewing with a forward stitch" is used for felt stitching. Stitches have to start from the centre of the ornament, so that the felt doesn't move. The stitching thread is not tied in a knot, but is instead quilted into the felt. Stitching distances must be equal and also close to each other. When the stitches are made appropriately and meticulously, the top and bottom sides of the felt look the same. Felt-stitching has different styles according to the practices of the many ethnic groups of Mongolia.
Mongolia