Caucasian Papaver: customs and traditions

Even relatively recently, the hat was considered to be an inalienable accessory of proud mountaineers. On this occasion, it was even said that this headpiece should be on the head while it is on the shoulders. Caucasians put in this concept much more content than the usual hat, even compare it with a wise adviser. The Caucasian cape has its own history.

Who wears a papakha?

Nowadays, only a few of the representatives of the modern youth of the Caucasus appear in the society in a papakha. And yet some decades ago the Caucasian papakha was associated with courage, dignity and honor. Come with an uncovered head to the Caucasian wedding as a guest - it was regarded as an insulting attitude to the guests of the celebration.

Once the Caucasian papakhah was loved and respected by all - both old and young. Often it was possible to find a whole arsenal of papakhas, as they say, for all occasions: for example, some for everyday wear, others for a wedding version, and others for mourning. As a result, the wardrobe consisted of at least ten different hats. The pattern of the Caucasian papakh was with the wife of every real highlander.

Military Headwear

In addition to dzhigits, the Cossacks also wore a hat. The servicemen of the Russian army were wearing one of the attributes of the military uniform of some arms. It was different from the one worn by Caucasians - a low fur hat, inside of which was a lining of cloth. In 1913, a small Caucasian cap was the headdress in the entire tsarist army.

In the Soviet army, according to the statute, it was intended to be worn only by the colonels, generals and marshals.

Customs of the Caucasian people

It would be naive to think that the Caucasian cap, in the form in which it was used to everyone, has not changed for centuries. In reality, the peak of its development and the greatest spread occurs at the end of the 19th - the beginning of the 20th century. Until this period, the head of the Caucasians was covered with cloth caps. In general, there were several types of hats, which were made of the following materials:

• felt;
• the cloth;
• fur;
• Combining fur and fabric.

Little known is the fact that in the 18th century for some time representatives of both sexes wore almost identical hats. Cossack hatchet, Caucasian cap - these headgears were valued and occupied an honorable place in the wardrobe of men.

Caps of fur gradually begin to dominate, coming to replace the other types of this garment. Circassians, they are Circassians, before the beginning of the 19th century, walked in hats of felt. In addition, pinned shrouds of cloth were common. Turkish turbans also changed over time - now fur hats were wrapped in white narrow pieces of fabric.

Aksakals were fervent about their papakhas, kept almost in sterile conditions, each of them was specially wrapped in a clean cloth.

Traditions associated with this headdress

The customs of the peoples of the Caucasian region obliged every man to know how to wear a papakh, in which cases to wear one or the other of them. It is possible to give many examples of the interconnection of the Caucasian papakha and folk traditions:

1. Checking whether the girl really loves the guy: you had to try to throw your hat to her in the window. A way of expressing sincere feelings towards the fair sex was also served by Caucasian dances.
2. Romance ended when someone knocked someone's hat off. Such an act is considered insulting, it could provoke a serious incident with very unpleasant consequences for somebody. The Caucasian cape was respected, and it could not simply be torn from the head.
3. A person could leave his cap somewhere forgetful, but God forbid that someone will touch her!
4. During the dispute, the temperamental Caucasian removed his hat from his head, and flung it hot on his feet to the ground. It could only mean that the man is convinced of his rightness and is ready to answer for his words!
5. Almost the only and very effective act that can stop the bloody battle of hot jigits is a handkerchief thrown at their feet.
6. Whatever the man asked, nothing should be forced to take off his hat. An exceptional case is to forgive a blood feud.

The Caucasian papakha these days

The tradition of wearing a Caucasian papakha over the years goes into oblivion. Now we will have to go to some mountain village to make sure that it is still not completely forgotten. Maybe, and lucky to see her on the head of a local young man, who decided to flaunt.

And among the Soviet intelligentsia met representatives of the Caucasian peoples who honored the traditions and customs of their fathers and grandfathers. A striking example is a Chechen, Mahmud Esambaev, People's Artist of the USSR, a famous choreographer, choreographer and actor. Wherever he was, even at the receptions of the country's leaders, a proud Caucasian was seen in his cape-crown. There is either a story or a legend, supposedly General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev started the session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR only after he found Mahmud's papakh among the delegates.

You can have different ways of wearing a Caucasian papakha. But, beyond all doubt, the following truth must remain unshakable. This headpiece of peoples is closely connected with the history of proud Caucasians, the traditions and customs of grandfathers-great-grandfathers, which every contemporary should honor and respect! Caucasian cap in the Caucasus - more than a headdress!