The traditional costume represents a key element of a people’s culture and way of living. For Gagauz, their traditional clothes are a reason for proudness, being characterized through sobriety, dark colors but also by exquisite elements embroidered with utmost mastery.
Nowadays traditional Gagauz costumes are being worn by local inhabitants during festivals or other cultural events. The Gagauz male garments include a shirt, wide trousers, a wide red belt and a hat. The collar of the shirt must be of tunic-type cutting.
The traditional female garments include a manually woven shirt, a dress and a shawl in dark colors. For celebrations, women wear a red or rose flower stuck into the shawl at the level of the eyes.
A special element of the traditional Gagauz garments is the bride’s dress, totally different from modern ones.
Traditional Gagauz costumes, created 100 years ago, may be currently viewed in the museum in Besalma village. Moreover, the beauty of the traditional Gagauz garments may be seen during national celebrations such as Hederlez or Kasim.
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Gagauz traditional clothes were initially not sewn in bright colors. In general, the sources and roots the Gagauz costumes were not fully studied. Nobody has ever studied yet the origins of Gagauz clothing.
Until the ’70s the traditional Gagauz clothes could have different colors: it could be blue as the sky, light green or red. Besides, the bride’s dress had an apron that may only be removed during the wedding, being then replaced by a belt.
Maria Capacli, scientific coordinator of the history museum, Besalma
The hat is the pride of men. It should also have a flower on the hat for decoration. Men would wear a flower on the left side and women on the right side.
Maria Kambur, head of the band in Besghioz
This material was developed in the framework of the project “Supporting institutionalized and sustainable dialogue on Gagauzia Autonomy”, implemented by CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation and financed by Sweden. The opinions expressed in this material pertain to the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of CMI or of Sweden.