Qiapan,Terai and hood of Kirgiz Ethnic Group

Kirgiz people have lived in Pamirs for many centuries. Far-flung prairie and snow summits sustain Kirgiz people and shape their economy and culture. Their clothes are made of livestock coat and wool mostly. Generally, men wear in robes; women in skirts. 

The typical man’s dress include embroidered white round collar shirts,qiapan (collar-crossed lobe) made of sheep coat, camel felt or cotton cloth, leather waistband or embroidered cloth band,trousers made of cotton or leather and boots. Young lad wear narrow trouser with embroidery patterns present on the cuff, front, border of clothes. Most men’s dresses are black or white; blue and brown also adopted by young men. Women wear one-piece dress, tight sleeveless jacket made of Gold silk pile, bloomers and embroidered boot; sometimes they wear qiapan when they go outside. Married women would wear jackets, coats and short skirts. Old women like white, black and blue, while young ladies are fond of red, green, yellow and brown. In all colors, red is their favorite because Kirgiz people consider red as the symbol of happiness and blessedness.

Caps of Kirgiz people are various and full of nationality features. Men would wear red, green, blue, purple or black cap made of corduroy; and on the cap they would wear another leather cap or pelt cap when needed. The most popular cap is a sort of white pelt cap, which can be found all year around. The cap top is flat or spire and cap brim is coiled. A stripe of black cloth or velveteen is inlaid inside the cap brim; the black border is very conspicuous when turn outside. On the both sides of the cap brim exists a nick that can separate the brim into 2 parts; when 2 parts are rolled upside simultaneously, the brim can defend snow and rain; if the front part is rolled down, it can make a shade; if 2 parts are rolled together, they can shield wind and sand. The white pelt cap is the most significant symbol of Kirgiz nationality, and people are very cherish it and called it as “holy cap”. When put off, it would be hung or put on the quilt or pillow.

People never casually deal with it, step on it or play it; all these deeds would be considered to be unpropitious. The white pelt has a long history, and there is a sage about it. In ancient time existed a wise, smart and brave Kirgiz king, who found that various color caps, horses and clothing affected his army. Before a long march, apart from unifying the horse color, he convened 40 ministers and order them to prepare unified caps for his army and civilian in 40 days, which must be like a bright star, a florid blossom, a white iceberg or a green mountain and can defend rain, snow, wind and sand at the same time. After 39 days, 39 ministers were killed because they cannot fulfill the kill¡¯s will. At last, the wise daughter of the fortieth minister had devised that white pelt cap, and the king was satisfied. And the cap was passed to now.

Unmarried ladies wear little red plush round top colorful cap or big round top cap with pearls, tassels and plumages decorating. Young married women prefer red or green hood, while middle-aged women wear white one. Traditionally, married women must wear hood or veil, especially in front of old men; they can only expose their eyes, noses and months with other parts covered with hoods, or they would be condemned by the public