Abashlyk, also spelledbashlik,[a] is a traditionalIranian,Caucasian,Turkic andCossackcone-shapedhoodedheaddress, usually ofleather,felt orwool, featuring a round toppedbonnet withlappets for wrapping around the neck. Local versions determine the trim, which may consist of decorative cords, embroidery, jewelry, metallized strings, fur balls or tassels. Among dozens of versions are winter bashlyks worn atop regular headdress, cotton bashlyks, homeknitted bashlyks, silk bashlyks, scarf bashlyks, down bashlyks, dress bashlyks, jumpsuit-type bashlyks, etc. Bashlyks are used as traditional folk garment, and as uniform headdress.[1][2]
A variation of bashlyk is thekalpak (qalpaq), a cone-shaped headdress without lappets, mostly made of leather, felt or wool,[3] and themalahai, also known as thetymak, a curved cone-shaped headdress, either with or without lappets, mostly made of leather, and occasionally with afur-wrapping, originally worn by most inhabitants of theIdel-Ural, but nowadays mostly reduced to theBashkirs.[4] It also went on to inspire thebudenovka in theUSSR.[5]
The origins of this conical headgear can possibly be traced back to the oldest equestrian nomadic peoples in antiquity. It may have originated as a type ofsauna hat to preserve body heat, due to most nomadic cultures having practiced a variety of thesteam bath rather than traditionalbathing, with the upright length of the hood eventually becoming a symbol ofsocial status among some peoples.[6]
TheScythians are often depicted in ancient depictions with hoods, which were then calledPhrygian caps, after a similar headgear of theAnatolianPhrygians. Although named after the Phrygians, the long pointed hoods were already widespread among theScythians,Cimmerians,Argippaeans andSarmatians. TheCentral AsianSakas, used similar, but usually much higher hoods, as ancient depictions and archaeological finds show. Research inTurkology andIranian studies often assumes a continuity between the antecedent of the Phrygian cap and the Bashlyk, often referring to this ancient headgear with the word Bashlyk exclusively.[7][8]
In modern times, bashlyks became fashionable in Russia in 1830-1840, after theNapoleonic Wars with significant participation of theBashkir cavalry. By the 1862 bashlyks were made a uniform headdress inCossack armies, and later in other branches of Russian armed forces. The military bashlyk was bright yellow camel wool, with a yellow band. Officer bashlyks had gold or silver band. In theRussian army, bashlyks lasted till 1917, when they became a trademark ofWhite Army officers andRed Army cavalry.[9]
_tondo.jpg)
%2c_Nisa_mint_(cropped).jpg)
_p025_(R)_DON_COSSACKS.jpg)
.jpg)
