Arkhalig

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A 19th century Azeri dancer from Shamakhi wearing an arkhalig
A 19th century Azeri dancer from Shamakhi wearing an arkhalig

An arkhalig (Azeri: arxalıq; Georgian: არხალუხი, Armenian: արխալուղ; Persian: ارخالق) is part of both male and female traditional dress of the peoples of the Caucasus and Iran. Arkhalig traces its roots to beshmet (a Turkic outer clothing later worn by Cossacks).[1] The word arkhalig in the Azeri language literally means "what goes on the back."

An arkhalig is a long tight-waist jacket made of various kinds of fabric, such as silk, satin, cloth, cashmere and velvet, traditionally depending on the social status of its owner.[2] Male arkhaligs can be both single-breasted (done up with buttonhooks) and double-breasted (done up with buttons). In cold weather, a chokha is put on above an arkhalig.[3] Female arkhaligs are often ornamented and have tight long sleeves widening on the wrists. A female arkhalig can also include a fur list along the edges, patterned laces and braids, or be decorated with gold embroidery.[4]

Arkhaligs were in wide use until the 1920s.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Guides to studying The Cossack Military Vocabulary by S.Ivanov
  2. ^ Traditional Azeri dress. Traditions.aznet.org
  3. ^ Traditional Azeri costume by Ekaterina Kostikova. Националь. 11 July 2005. Retrieved 23 June 2007
  4. ^ Silks That Amazed Herodotus by Saadat Huseynova. Azerbaijanskie Izvestia. Retrieved 23 June 2007