Kimeshek ( kk, кимешек, kaa, кимешек) or Elechek ( ky, элечек) is a traditional headgear of married women with children in

Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country located mainly in Central Asia and partly in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia to the north and west, China to the east, Kyrgyzstan to the southeast, Uzbeki ...

Karakalpakstan Karakalpakstan, / officially the Republic of Karakalpakstan, / is an autonomous republic of Uzbekistan. It occupies the whole northwestern part of Uzbekistan. The capital is Nukus (' / ). The Republic of Karakalpakstan has an area of , and ...

and

Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan,, pronounced or the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south, and the People's Republic of China to the east. ...

. Kimeshek is also worn by Central Asian Jewish women. Uzbek and Tajik women wear a similar headdress called . Kimeshek is made of white cloth, and the edge is full of patterns. Kimeshek might have different designs and colors based on the wearer's social status, age, and family. In Karakalpakstan, there are two different types of kimeshek, alike in Kazakhstan, only married women wear kimeshek. A red kimeshek, or , was worn by a younger married woman. A girl preparing for marriage would make the kimeshek herself. As the woman grew older, she would instead wear a white . However, she would keep the red kimeshek. The kimeshek was considered very important; it was taboo to give one away.

Gallery

File:Stamps of Kyrgyzstan, 2012-14.jpg, File:Stamps of Kyrgyzstan, 2012-15.jpg, File:Stamps of Kyrgyzstan, 2012-16.jpg, File:Stamps of Kyrgyzstan, 2012-17.jpg,

References

Kazakhstani culture Kyrgyzstani culture Marriage Headgear Islamic female clothing {{Kazakhstan-stub