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The traditional folk costumes embrace traits of the various cultures represented in this part of
the Balkan. They convey the skill and inventiveness of native designers - Macedonian
women, who manufactured themselves their outfits of homespun thread (usually wool, linen,
cotton, hemp), using traditional tools.
Until the early decades of the 20th century, when folk costumes reached their peak and were
still widely worn and adorned, there were over 70 different kinds of richly decorated costumes
on the territory of Macedonia. Every region had its distinctive attire, which differed from the
clothing of the adjacent region in its stylistic, aesthetic and functional features. The reason for
the appearance of so many different costumes, particularly for women, is the geographic
isolation of the ethic areas, as well as frequent migrations and ethnic diversity of the
population.
The features that make traditional costumes magnificent are the embroidery (in rich geometric
and geometricized floral patterns), appliqués, woven ornaments, adornment with fringes, fine
metal thread - srma, and braids, as well as jewelry, made of metal, beads and fruits of the
nature.
Two main types of costumes western Macedonian and eastern Macedonian. The western
Macedonian type includes the Upper Vardar Valley, the Debar-Miyak and Brsyak
ethnographic areas.
The eastern Macedonia type includes: the Middle Vardar Valley, and the Shop ethnographic
area.
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Skopska Blatija
bride,
turn of the 20th century
young bride,
turn of the 20th century
young bride,
turn of the 20th century
Košula so vezeni r’kai (bridal dress with embroidered sleeves), over which are a Pregrlak
(front piece, not visible), Elek (bodice, not visible)
Zobanče (short-sleeved jacket); Dizgija (sash, not visible)
Lepa bovča (apron)
Kalemkjari za pred sebe (silk scarves)
Pafti (large silver buckle)
Džube so nafe (sleeveless felt coat lined with fox fur)
Kapa (oval, shallow hat), covered with a
Darpna klabodanlija (white cotton scarf embroidered with gold and other coloured threads)
Ohridsko Pole
young bride,
beginning of the 20th century
young woman
dressed for a festive occasion,
turn of the 20th century
bride,
turn of the 20th century
young woman
dressed for a festive occasion,
beginning of the 20th century
Košula (dress)
Ečel’k (silk shirt)
Saja (white short-sleeved outer garment); Pojas (sash, not visible). On special occasions
Skutač - dipla alova (two aprons, one of which is folded and tucked into the sash)
Eleče (short bodice), decorated with
Gorni i dolni kopčijna (two pieces of silver jewellery worn on the bust); The head is covered
with
Šam (white cotton headscarf)
Bojmija
young bride,
beginning of the 20th century
young bride,
turn of the 20th century
young bride,
turn of 20th century
The traditional Macedonian women's costume included a shirt, apron, belt, headdress and
klashnik, a white sleeveless knee-length caftan. The belt was an obligatory part of the costume
and was considered to protect women, especially those of pregnant ones, from outer danger.
The caftan was usually pulled up at the front and hung over the belt forming a kind of a pocket
used for keeping various things. On their heads Macedonian women wore long and wide linen
headgears falling down up to the knees on the back. Its lower part was decorated with fringe. 2
2
The Russian Museum of Ethnography
The Mariovo Men's Dress
Vintage Macedonian wall decor crocheted cover in beautiful art folk motif!
private collection, an wonderful and ultra rare Museum Piece ca.1850-1890s / 19 century
Antique Original Macedonian Ethnic Folk Woman Woolen Dress / Costume with beautiful
golden embroidery on it. The Sleeves are made of Velveteen! This is a Macedonian woolen
dress for its early age.
Here are two pictures taken by Albert Kahn’s photographers in Macedonia. The pictures are
from 1912 and is one of the first in the world taken in color.
Taken from the BBC documentary series "Edwardians In Color. The Wonderful World of Albert Kahn" episode
3 "Europe on the Brink".